The Department of Political and Cultural Change at the Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn seeks an accomplished social science researcher with thematic expertise on different types of (im- )mobility, border/boundary discussion and the rethinking of Area Studies, preferably working on South and Central Asia. Depending on final fund approval, the position will be for the scientific coordination of the second phase of the BMBF-financed competence network ‘Crossroads Asia’ (http://www.crossroads- asia.de/). In addition to the project-related tasks, the position contributes to the general teaching and research activities of the Department of Political and Cultural Change at ZEF.

Crossroads Asia pursues the development of a ‘new area studies’ approach, making mobility and related thematic figurations the basis of the competence network’s scholarly research. The geographic focus of the network comprises the area from eastern Iran to western China and from the Aral Sea to northern India. In its second phase (assumed period January 2015 to December 2016), Crossroads Asia aims for the development of a three pillared (theoretical, methodological and ethical) Crossroads Perspective on research as an alternative approach to Area Studies research. It will therefore focus substantially less on generating empirical research and more on the conceptual and methodological synthesis of past work conducted by network members.

Tasks:
- Scientifically coordinate and – in cooperation with the Crossroads Asia team, including the director of ZEFa – drive the interdisciplinary synthesising process of the second phase of the project towards the development of the conceptual, methodological and ethical pillars of the Crossroads Perspective on research
- Provide direction to competence network colleagues in synthesising research outcomes of individual work packages by focusing on sociospatial relations and their relevance in defining ‘areas’ and rethinking present concepts of Area Studies
- In collaboration with network colleagues, actively publish synthesis work in international academic fora, as well as through channels accessible to the German public
- Contribute to other project development and fund acquisition within ZEFa
- Tutor Ph.D. students working on related topics
- Contribute to ZEF’s interdisciplinary doctoral programme by teaching in the interdisciplinary and
disciplinary courses
- Contribute to additional core tasks of the Department of Political and Cultural Change at ZEF

Details of Position:
- Full-time (100%)
- December 1, 2014 until July 31, 2017, with a possibility of extension
- Compensation at the level of TVL-E14/E13 (depending on successful candidate’s research work experience and publication record)

Requirements:
- Doctoral degree in a field of Social Sciences, Humanities or Area Studies
- Publication record reflecting extensive work on the social construction of space or on the research regions of South and Central Asia
- Research experience in South or Central Asian countries
- Effective interpersonal communication skills including ability to work harmoniously in a team
- Proven track record in network building
- Experience in acquisition of third-party funded projects
- Demonstrated initiative and willingness to take on unexpected tasks
- Advanced written and oral communication skills in English and preferably also German
- Flexibility to travel both within Germany and internationally
- Local language skills (e.g., Russian, Farsi, Hindi, Urdu, etc.) would be an additional plus

Additional information:
For additional information, please contact: Dr. habil. Anna-Katharina Hornidge, Mail: crossroads@uni-bonn.de

Submission of Application:
Please send your complete set of application documents (incl. Letter of interest, CV and supporting documents) to:
Ms. Sonja Wagner, preferably via e-mail to office.zefa@uni-bonn.de, or alternatively to Center for Development Research, Zentrum für Entwicklungsforschung (ZEF), University of Bonn, Walter-Flex-Str. 1-3, 53113 Bonn, Germany.