PhD Studentship: Insurgent Temporalities: Fascism as a Global Anti-Universalist Project

Details of the Scholarship Awards

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.

INTEMPO

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/raul-carstocea

Value of PhD Scholarship Award

• 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 of PhD Scholarship Award

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

Role of the student

Working as PhD students within the project framework and under the supervision of the project PI, Prof. Raul Cârstocea, the successful candidate(s) will develop an original research project that aligns with the overall objectives of INTEMPO. They will focus on an understudied case of a fascist movement in the timeframe between 1918 and 1945, analysing also its international connections and entanglements. They will have the opportunity to develop their research, both individually and as part of a team of ambitious scholars. PhD students at Maynooth University are enrolled in a structured PhD programme. This requires them to attend a limited number of modules on campus and to accrue a minimum of 15 credits for Subject specific modules and 15 credits of Generic Skills modules. 

There are two PhD scholarships available, with different specifications, detailed below. 

PhD candidate 1 will deal with the case study of South Africa during the interwar and wartime period, analysing movements such as Ossewabrandwag and/or the Greyshirts, especially with a view to the international connections established with other fascist movements and regimes. Working knowledge of Afrikaans and availability to undertake primary research in South African archives are essential criteria for the role. Familiarity with the country’s history and political culture is desirable. Comparative projects are welcome, as long as the candidate can demonstrate appropriate skills in the relevant languages, or is committed to acquiring a language other than Afrikaans within the timeframe of the project. 

PhD candidate 2 will work on a case study of their choice, of an interwar fascist movement outside Italy or Germany. They will undertake an original, archive-based research project related to an aspect of the ideology and practices of the respective movement that includes a transnational component. While European case studies will be considered, preference will be given to cases of non-European fascist movements. Working knowledge of the respective language(s) and commitment to undertake primary research in the respective countries are essential criteria for the role. Comparative projects are welcome, as long as the candidate can demonstrate appropriate skills in the relevant languages, or is committed to acquiring additional language competencies within the timeframe of the project.

The key responsibility of the PhD students is to develop and complete a doctoral dissertation under the supervision of the Principal Investigator and within the framework of the project. Additional supervision within the Department of History may be available. Doctoral candidates are expected to participate in all the activities of INTEMPO (three workshops and a final conference) and to contribute to their organisation. They are also expected to disseminate and publish their research findings, in close co-operation with the other members of the research group.

Eligibility Criteria for Applicants

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

The University

The National University of Ireland Maynooth is a very distinctive university, a collegial institution focused on science and engineering, humanities, and social sciences, and equally committed to research, teaching, and community engagement. Located in the Republic of Ireland’s only university town, its distinctive features and character owe much to its unique history and heritage. It provides a high-quality educational experience to over 15,000 students on a campus with 18^th century roots and 21^st century dynamism. For more information, you can visit the university website here: https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/.

The Department

The Department of History, one of the largest in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, has 20 academic staff, whose interests cover Irish, European, American and World topics. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees to PhD level and has an excellent reputation for its scholarship, teaching, and research supervision. It currently offers four MA programmes (European History, Irish History, Military History and Strategic Studies, and Local History). It also houses two European Research Council projects. Applicants are invited to familiarize themselves with the Department by visiting its website, at: https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/history.

All Scholarship Awards are conditional on approval for registration by the University.

Informal queries may be sent to raul.carstocea@mu.ie

All eligible candidates will be considered for open positions. Applicants may be shortlisted for interview and, if so, will be contacted directly by the Department. Late applications will not be considered.

Closing Date

Please apply by 5pm on Friday 25 July 2025.

Please submit applications directly to: intempo@mu.ie

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