At the Heidelberg Center for Transcultural Studies (HCTS) of Heidelberg University, the following positions (full time) for up to 5 years are to be filled by 1 October 2023:
2 postdoctoral research fellows (f/m/d)
The place of employment is Heidelberg, in the interdisciplinary Research Training Group (RTG) entitled “Ambivalent Enmity: Dynamics of Antagonism in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East” – a collaboration between Heidelberg University and Heidelberg University of Jewish Studies (HfjS).
Funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), the RTG aims to reveal enmity as a processual, relational, and deeply ambivalent category. It pursues this agenda in three Research Fields that will trace the ambivalences of enmity through studies dedicated to: (1) knowledge production (Research Field “Knowing the Enemy”), (2) representation (Research Field “Staging Enmity”), and (3) physical encounters (Research Field “Enemy Contact”). Our research regions include Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
The RTG Ambivalent Enmity targets postgraduates with a background in the following disciplines: Israel Studies/Jewish Studies, Political Science, Chinese Studies, Psychology, Romance Studies/Linguistics, Modern South Asian Languages and Literatures, Global Art History, Middle Eastern Studies, Eastern European History, Global History and Medieval History. We strongly encourage international scholars to apply!
Your tasks:
- Pursue your own postdoctoral project and contribute to the group’s research agenda through your own habilitation or second book projects. Projects with a transculturally informed perspective that trace the genealogy and perpetuation of enmity across research regions and research fields and projects that focus on the digital dimension of ambivalent enmity and contribute relevant expertise are particularly welcome
- Conceptualize and actively engage in various formats of scholarly exchange in the RTG
- Co-organize workshops and other internal and external events
Your profile:
- An excellent doctoral degree (or equivalent) in one of the above-mentioned disciplines
- An innovative and feasible postdoctoral project within one of the three research fields of the RTG Ambivalent Enmity
- An interest in and readiness to engage in transdisciplinary cooperation
- Very good English language skills, (C1/CEFR or above) and language of the region of study
- A high personal motivation for scholarly work and research in your discipline
We offer:
- A stimulating interdisciplinary and international environment at Germany’s oldest university
- Collaborative networks of European and international scholars
- Possibility for further qualification, to gain teaching experiences, and participate in mentoring doctoral candidates
- Access to specific personnel development programs offered by Heidelberg University
The positions are limited up to 5 years, starting 1 October 2023; salaries are predicated on the German public sector remuneration system (TV-L 13, 39,5 h/week).
Your documents:
- A letter of motivation (max. 2 pages)
- An academic CV including a list of publications
- An outline which identifies the topic, research area, research question, theoretical approaches and methodology of your proposed research project (max. 5 pages)
- A PDF of your doctoral dissertation
- Copies of degree certificates and diplomas
- Proof of your language skills
Please submit all documents in one collated PDF file to Dr. Oliver Lamers by email (lamers@hcts.uni-heidelberg.de). The application deadline is 15 April 2023.
Based on the applications received, the RTG board will select qualified applicants with an interesting profile and invite them to an interview (videoconference) in May 2023.
For details about the research design, curriculum and qualification program of the RTG Ambivalent Enmity, please visit www.ambivalentenmity.org.
Heidelberg University stands for equal opportunities and diversity. Qualified female candidates are especially invited to apply. Persons with severe disabilities will be given preference if they are equally qualified. Information on job advertisements and the collection of personal data is available at https://www.uni-heidelberg.de/en/job-market.