FBK is looking for three Postdoctoral Researchers in the field of Early Modern History

Organisation/Company

Fondazione Bruno Kessler

Department

People Innovation for Research

Research Field

History » Modern history

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)

Positions

PhD Positions

Application Deadline

8 May 2026 - 23:55 (Europe/Rome)

Country

Italy

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

38

Offer Starting Date

1 Sep 2026

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Other EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Background information and description of research project

These positions are offered within the project Travellers’ interactions in early modern Italy (TRAVEL), funded by a Consolidator Grant from the Fondo Italiano per la Scienza (FIS-2023-02909) (PI: Sandra Toffolo).

This three-year project focuses on interpersonal encounters involving travellers in the Italian peninsula (1400-1600). It aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the practical aspects of interactions involving a wide range of people on the move and, in doing so, to address more general issues concerning early modern mobility. The members of the research team will each focus on a specific geographical area, examining different aspects of encounters involving travellers: legislation, the use of urban space, communication, and material culture. Sources produced both by the travellers and by the individuals and authorities they interacted with will be used. The TRAVEL project aims to create a dynamic and collaborative research environment bringing together historians working on different aspects of mobility and encounter in early modern Italy.  Intellectual exchange within the team will be fostered through regular meetings, scientific events, and collaborative publications.

Three full-time postdoctoral positions are currently available, focusing on the following geographical areas:

• Encounters involving travellers in Genoa and Livorno (Profile 1)
• Encounters involving travellers in Bologna, Macerata, and Pavia (Profile 2)
• Encounters involving travellers in Naples (Profile 3)

These three postdoctoral researchers will join a larger research team led by the PI. Additional team members are expected to be recruited in subsequent calls.

Job description

Key duties and responsibilities:

• Conduct research on interpersonal encounters involving travellers in the indicated geographical area
• Publish in international peer-reviewed outlets
• Present research at international conferences
• Participate in regular team meetings
• Take part in collective activities of the TRAVEL team, such as conference co-organisation, co-editing of volumes, and participation in seminars
• Contribute actively to the intellectual life of the TRAVEL team and of the Italian-German Historical Institute in general
• Participate in public engagement activities
• Collaborate with a researcher specialised in Digital Humanities who will create digital maps of urban spaces of encounter

Workplace description

Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK) is a private research institution devoted to excellence in research in numerous disciplines and designated to the role of keeping the Autonomous Province of Trento at the forefront of European and international research. Each research area is assigned to a specific Research Center, of which there are twelve in total. Information regarding the Research Centers, their activities and research output is available at: http://www.fbk.eu/research-centers .

The candidates will be working at the Italian-German Historical Institute (ISIG) of FBK. This is a Research Center that promotes historical studies in the field of early modern and contemporary history. Research activities are highly interdisciplinary and transnational. The study activities promoted by ISIG are in constant dialogue with the most recent international historiographic trends. In line with the aims of all FBK Research Centers, ISIG pays particular attention to innovative scientific research practices with extensive bestowal of results to the community. More information about ISIG: https://isig.fbk.eu/en/

Website

https://jobs.fbk.eu/Annunci/Offerte_di_lavoro_FBK_is_looking_for_three_Postdoct…

Research Field

History » Modern history

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

• PhD in early modern history
• Professional and thorough knowledge of early modern history
• Research experience related to the history of mobility
• Experience working with early printed and archival sources
• Knowledge of English and Italian at level B2 or higher (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, CEFR). Definitions of levels can be found at: https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/level-descriptions
• Good knowledge of Latin
• Good knowledge of other languages relevant to the position
• Good communication and relational skills
• Strong organisational skills, flexibility, and aptitude for problem-solving
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment and to contribute actively to collective research objectives

Furthermore, the following elements will be positively evaluated:

• International research experience
• Experience working in a collaborative research project
• Experience conducting research in archives and libraries relevant to the project

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Languages

ITALIAN

Level

Excellent

Research Field

History » Modern history

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Fondazione Bruno Kessler

Country

Italy

Geofield

City

Trento

Website

http://www.fbk.eu/

Street

Fondazione Bruno Kessler - Via Sommarive 18 I-38123 Trento/Povo

Postal Code

38123

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