We are looking to appoint a full-time Research Associate (History) at the School of Humanities in Nanyang Technological University (NTU).
The incumbent will be part of one of a collaborative team of researchers based in NTU’s History Department working on the history of environmental crises and epidemics in colonial Hong Kong led by Assistant Professor Florence Mok. The Research Associate will focus on examining how transnational networks which linked Hong Kong and other places, especially Southeast Asia, affected the development of the Cold War, which in turn influenced state’s response to different kinds of crises, political and natural.
The fellowship position is a fixed term post for 12 months, with a possibility of further extension.
About the Project
This study will make an original contribution to the political, social and environmental history of modern Asia, British colonialism and the Cold War by exploring how the colonial government and the Chinese society in Hong Kong mitigated environmental crises from 1945 to 1980, with the Cold War in the background. This is a period of historical significance: it witnessed growing policy initiatives, increased economic affluence and rising political and social consciousness. It will focus on how the state and popular responses to water shortages, in particular propaganda, were influenced by Cold War politics. The proposed study will use a traditional historical approach of examining published sources and archival manuscripts in Hong Kong and London.
Key Responsibilities:
- Examine the data collected from the Hong Kong Public Records Offices and the National Archives at Kew.
- Carry out literature survey on Hong Kong history and different theories, in particular work Cold War networks between Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, different forms of propaganda and approaches of crisis management.
- Coordinate with the History Research Fellow, the History Associate and PI, apply theoretical frameworks to the historical/archival findings.
- Use both qualitative and quantitative methods to analyse the effectiveness of the crisis management measures implemented by the colonial government in Hong Kong.
- Work with PI and turn the findings into journal articles for submission.
- Organise seminars and conferences on the research topic.
Job Requirements:
- MA/MPhil in History, specializing in post-war Hong Kong studies/the Cold War/ connections between Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.
- Knowledge in qualitative and quantitative methods and ability to analyse archival records and statistics.
- Ability to read and interpret Chinese sources, fluency in Cantonese would be advantageous as archival data collected from the Hong Kong Public Records Offices, and Chinese newspapers and mass media that we sampled would contain materials in Chinese /Cantonese.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, able to build productive relationships within the research team and beyond NTU.
- Highly self-motivated, capable of working independently as well as part of a team.
We regret to inform that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.
Application Procedure:
Please apply by submitting the following documents in Workday:
1) Curriculum Vitae
2) Cover letter of no more than 2 pages which addresses your suitability for the fellowship
3) Statement of no more than 1 page of your potential contribution to the project.
