Endowed Professor of Business History

Introduction

The Unger Van Brero Foundation has established an endowed chair in Business History at Erasmus University Rotterdam. Business history has a long history at both EUR and within the focus areas of the Unger Van Brero Fund. The chair aims to make connections between business history and broader developments in the economy and society. An interdisciplinary interpretation of the chair is wholeheartedly pursued. The chair is intended for a candidate who can be exempted for this by their own employer for one day a week and who has been expressly supported by their current employer. In addition, we strive for optimal synergy between the candidate, current employer and ESHCC, for example through the possibility for students to do an internship or to do archival research.

Globalization and multinational corporations: We live in a highly globalized world in which multinational corporations play an important role. Historically, these companies have had a decisive role for the development of the Dutch economy and its international position. This endowed chair aims to further investigate the historical position of international business in the Netherlands in this globalized world. Particular attention is also paid to the major societal challenges that these multinational companies have faced and are facing, such as war, economic nationalism, social inequality, and the climate crisis. This also provides numerous links with the Chair in International Business History and the recently established EUR Chair in Global Governance and Wealth.

Job description

The main goals of this chair: To deepen, broaden and expand the research, education and impact of the academic profile of the chair.

Research:

The main goals and tasks:

• To publish and contribute to the historical and academic debate within the field.
• Representing ESHCC and the History Department in formal and informal research bodies and (inter)national institutes.
• To be leading in grant applications for (interdisciplinary) research.
• Supervision of PhD students.

Education:

The teaching activities of the chair will contribute to the bachelor's and/or master's programs, for example by teaching an in-depth elective course in the above-mentioned field.

Societal impact:

The chair bridges the gap between academic research and professional and societal challenges. To ensure that empirical findings can be translated into concrete societal solutions, the Chair holder has established and will continue to establish long-term and trusted collaborations with professional and civil society organizations. These connections are crucial for identifying urgent research themes, converting research results into practical solutions (such as guidelines and reports) and creating support for organizations to implement changes. In addition, the chair holder will actively participate in social debates to generate impact.

Job requirements

The appointed chair holder – together with other relevant chairs – plays an important role in the further development and expansion of expertise in the field of History, Culture and Identity within ESHCC and beyond. The candidate must meet the following profile:

• Be employed by an organization (other than the EUR) that is willing to release the candidate for one day a week for the purpose of holding the endowed chair. 
• PhD in history, humanities or social sciences (with demonstrable affinity with history).
• Broad (inter)national network of academic and professional contacts within relevant areas of expertise.
• Leadership in strategic management, demonstrated by relevant professional qualifications and experience in various sectors, such as government, industry, cultural institutions or social organizations.
• Extensive experience with societal impact and knowledge valorisation, demonstrated through collaborations with public and private institutions, media appearances, public lectures, policy advice or other forms of social engagement.
• Recognized national and international position within one's own area of expertise, visible through keynote lectures, participation in interdisciplinary panels and advisory committees, board and policy positions in academic and non-academic organizations, and the organization of conferences, workshops or public events.
• Dutch and English: knowledge of both languages at least at C-1 level: the candidate is expected to be able to teach in both languages.
• Teaching experience: UTQ is desirable or willing to obtain an educational qualification for this.

Employment conditions and benefits

The appointment will start on 1 May 2026 and will run for five years. The professorship is unpaid, but is supported by the primary employer. The candidate is available on average about one day a week. There is an annual fee for costs related to the position.

Employer

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) is an internationally oriented university with a strong social orientation in its education and research, as expressed in our mission ‘Creating positive societal impact’. EUR is home to 4.100 academics and professionals and almost 33.000 students from more than 140 countries. Everything we do, we do under the credo The Erasmian Way – Making Minds Matter. We’re global citizens, connecting, entrepreneurial, open-minded, and socially involved. These Erasmian Values function as our internal compass and create EUR’s distinctive and recognizable profile. From these values, with a broad perspective and with an eye for diversity, different backgrounds and opinions, our employees work closely together to solve societal challenges from the dynamic and cosmopolitan city of Rotterdam. Thanks to the high quality and positive societal impact of our research and education, EUR can compete with the top European universities. www.eur.nl.

Faculty / Institute / Central service

The Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communicationl (ESHCC) is part of Erasmus University Rotterdam. The school has three departments: History,  Arts and Culture and Media and Communication.

ESHCC offers high quality education based on scientific research at the intersection of the Humanities and Social Sciences. Our ambitious Dutch and international students are educated in a stimulating learning environment. Upon graduation, they have acquired the knowledge, insight and skills to make important and inspiring contributions to an increasingly international society in which diversity plays a major role.

The faculty offers three bachelor's programs and three master's programs with a total of seven specializations, as well as two Erasmus Mundus programs and a research master. Most programs are internationally oriented and taught in English.

ESHCC hosts the research institute ERMeCHS (Erasmus Research Institute for Media, Culture, History & Society). Researchers at ERMeCHS are dedicated to conducting interdisciplinary research in the fields of media, communication, culture, history, and society. Our research agenda focuses on strengthening interdisciplinary research, increasing external funding, and enhancing our societal impact.

ESHCC is housed in the Van der Goot (M) Building on the Woudestein campus of Erasmus University Rotterdam. Approximately 2400 students study there, and there are 240 staff members.

Additional information

You can find more information about the EUR on our website www.eur.nl.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Ben Wubs via wubs@eshcc.eur.nl.

Applying

Please submit your application, consisting of a motivation letter and CV, before the vacancy closing date.

The selection procedure will take place in the period of 8 - 17 December 2025.

Interviews are expected to be held in the period of 5 - 23 January 2026

We look forward to receiving your application.

Persons of all gender identities or expressions, sexual orientations, religions, ethnicities, ages, neurodiversities, functional impairments, citizenships, or any other aspect are welcome to apply and join the EUR community.