Outline

Prof. Raul Cârstocea has been awarded an European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant for a project entitled Insurgent Temporalities: Fascism as a Global Anti-Universalist Project (INTEMPO). As part of this project, the Department of History at Maynooth University is pleased to announce that two PhD Scholarships are available for suitably qualified applicants intending to commence their PhD studies in September 2025 / January 2026.

Insurgent Temporalities: Fascism as a Global Anti-Universalist Project (INTEMPO) is funded by the European Research Council (ERC), as part of the ERC Consolidator Grant 2024 scheme of Horizon Europe, grant number no. 101170033. Led by Prof. Raul Cârstocea (Principal Investigator), the project investigates the global spread of fascism during the interwar period, particularly with a view to the transnational connections established by fascist movements and regimes. INTEMPO hypothesises that, despite their national specificities, fascist movements and regimes around the world recognised their commonalities and drew inspiration from, as well as engaged with, like-minded activists abroad. It argues that, while the significant differences between fascist organisations were a consequence of different national pasts in diverse contexts, fascists shared a common vision of a future ‘New Order’ that allowed them to see themselves as part of a European or, indeed, global fascist moment. This hypothesis will be tested against a number of case studies of fascist movements, within and outside of Europe, through archive-based research into their ideology and practices. For more information on the project, you can visit this website: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101170033. For more information on the profile of the Principal Investigator, see: https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/people/raulcarstocea.

What is funded

• A fixed stipend of €25,000 per annum, not subject to tax; 

• Full coverage of tuition fees; 

• Additional approved project-related expenses may be covered by the ERC grant.

Duration

The scholarship is awarded for 4 years of study, subject to satisfactory annual academic progression.

Eligibility

Applicants wishing to undertake a research degree are usually required to have a primary degree or equivalent in History or in a cognate discipline. The minimum admission requirement for a PhD is either a First Class Honours BA or a 2:1 Honours in an MA or equivalent degree. Applicants should hold a Master’s degree at the time the PhD contract is signed. Candidates who are already enrolled in a PhD program in any university worldwide will be considered.

 Essential selection criteria:

 • Potential to conduct research internationally at a high level.

 • Capacity for independent work. 

• A very good knowledge of modern history. 

• Experience of archival research.

 • Knowledge of the relevant language(s) for the proposed project (see role specification)

. • Capacity for rigorous work and the ability to meet deadlines. 

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

 • Ability to play an active collaborative role in the research group. 

Desirable selection criteria: 

• Experience working on or familiarity with the case studies outlined in the application (South Africa for PhD 1, a fascist movement outside Italy or Germany for PhD 2).

 • Ability to write a research dissertation / thesis. 

• Familiarity with cultural, intellectual, or political history.

 • Capacity for theoretical, interdisciplinary, and/or comparative work. 

The Department of History at Maynooth University strives for gender equality and diversity. We welcome applications from individuals with disabilities. We also seek to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourage women to apply. Likewise, applications from persons underrepresented in research with regard to gender, age, professional and cultural backgrounds, sexual orientation, and nationality are encouraged.

Application and Selection Process Please include the following in the application: 

• Personal statement naming your research project and explaining to what extent your profile meets the selection criteria

 • A detailed Curriculum Vitae 

• Research proposal (max. 1500 words, not including bibliography) 

• Relevant final academic transcripts and university certificates

 • Names and contact details of two referees Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must provide written evidence of competency in the English language that satisfy the programme-specific requirements set out by the Maynooth University International Office - see https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/study-maynooth/how-apply/english-language-requirements

Closing Date Please apply by 5pm on Friday 25 July 2025. Please submit applications directly to: intempo@mu.ie