Post-Doc Jobs in Economic History

A Post-Doc position, short for postdoctoral researcher or post-doctoral fellowship, represents a crucial bridge in an academic career following the completion of a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree. This temporary role allows recent PhD graduates to deepen their expertise through independent research, often under the mentorship of senior faculty. In the field of Economic History, Post-Doc jobs focus on analyzing how economic systems, policies, and events have shaped societies over centuries. For detailed insights into general Post-Doc roles, explore foundational aspects there.

Economic History, as a discipline, examines the historical development of economies, integrating methods from economics, history, and social sciences. Researchers investigate phenomena such as the Industrial Revolution's impact on wages, colonial trade networks, or the economic consequences of wars. Prominent examples include studies on 19th-century globalization or the long-term effects of institutions on growth, pioneered by scholars like Douglass North, who earned a Nobel Prize for his work.

📜 The Evolution of Post-Doc Positions in Economic History

Post-Doc positions emerged in the early 20th century, particularly in the United States and Europe, as universities sought to expand research capacity amid growing funding from bodies like the National Science Foundation (NSF). In Economic History, the field gained momentum post-World War II with cliometrics—a quantitative approach blending econometrics and history—led by economists at institutions like the University of Chicago. Today, these roles are global, with strong hubs in the UK (e.g., London School of Economics), the US (Harvard, NBER), and emerging centers in Australia and Canada.

🎯 Roles and Responsibilities

In a Post-Doc job in Economic History, daily tasks revolve around designing research projects, collecting archival data from sources like colonial records or national statistics, and applying statistical models. Responsibilities may include co-authoring papers for journals such as the Journal of Economic History, presenting at conferences like the Economic History Association meetings, and contributing to grant applications. Unlike PhD work, postdocs emphasize productivity, often aiming for 2-4 publications during the tenure.

📋 Required Academic Qualifications and Expertise

To secure Post-Doc jobs in Economic History, candidates need a PhD in Economic History, Economics, History, or a closely related field, conferred within the last 3-5 years. Research focus should align with the host lab, such as macro-economic history, labor economics in historical contexts, or development economics.

• Preferred experience: Peer-reviewed publications (at least 2-3), conference presentations, or prior research assistant roles.
• Funding track record: Success in small grants from bodies like the Social Science Research Council.

🛠️ Essential Skills and Competencies

Success demands proficiency in econometric software (Stata, R), handling large historical datasets, and strong writing for academic audiences. Soft skills like collaboration in interdisciplinary teams and time management are vital, given the pressure to produce outputs. Knowledge of languages for primary sources, such as French for colonial archives or German for interwar economics, provides an edge.

📚 Definitions

Cliometrics: The application of economic theory and quantitative techniques to explain historical events and processes.

Econometrics: Statistical methods used to test economic theories with empirical data, crucial for Economic History analysis.

Archival Research: The process of sourcing and interpreting primary documents from libraries, national archives, or digital repositories.

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