We are pleased to announce (subject to final approval) a scholarship of up to 36 months for a Nigerian national to work both in Nigeria and with our research team in Hamburg/Germany on a research project covering the looting, collecting and exhibition of the well-known bronze sculptures from Benin. Our special focus will lie on their significance in a colonial context. We are looking particularly for a historian who is willing to undertake research for a Ph.D. in history, working on the occupation of Benin City by British forces in 1897 and the looting of the city as well as the ways in which the artefacts were distributed amongst the colonial forces and removed from the colony and brought to Europe.

Simultaneously, two German historians will engage in an in-depth study of the complex history of the Benin artworks. It is expected that the holder of the Nigerian scholarship will engage intensively both with the other two historians and the research group in general. For this purpose, an extended residence in Hamburg of 8-12 months is required.

The project is funded by the Gerda-Henkel-Foundation with a monthly scholarship according to the qualification and standing of the candidate.

An application including a CV, a provisional proposal (5 pages max) with preliminary ideas about the individual research project, a sample of prior writing and two letters of reference (including the names and addresses -incl. email- of the referees), and a short statement explaining the motivation for this particular research project should be sent to the office of Prof. Dr. Jürgen Zimmerer: Marianne.Weis-Elsner@uni-hamburg.de. Selection of candidates will commence on August 13th 2017 until the position is filled.

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