The Graduate School for East and Southeast European Studies (GS OSES) in Regensburg is an interdisciplinary and cross-faculty collaborative research network of the University Regensburg. GS OSES (UR) continues the doctoral training program that was established and jointly organized by LMU Munich and the University of Regensburg from 2012 to 2019 as part of the German Excellence Initiative. Since 2020, the interdisciplinary and structured doctoral program in the field of East and Southeast European Studies has been financed by the University of Regensburg and the Bavarian State Ministry for Science and the Arts.

With its primary regional focus on East and Southeast Europe, the Graduate School collaborates across the following disciplines: History, Literary, Language and Cultural Studies, Social Anthropology, and Law. Research at the GS OSES (UR) focuses particularly on interrelations and interdependencies between East and Southeast Europe and other parts of the world. In the context of cross-regional comparisons and transfer studies, the School’s expertise in Area Studies is complemented by insights from European History and North American Studies. Therefore GS OSES (UR) especially welcomes projects with a transnational / transregional or comparative approach. For more information see: http://www.gs-oses.de

GS OSES (UR) welcomes applications for up to three doctoral scholarships on April 1, 2021. The funding will be awarded for an initial 18 months, with an extension of 24 months possible following a successful progress assessment (i.e. a total of 42 months).

The doctoral scholarships are granted at a monthly rate of EUR 1,365 (plus EUR 103.- monthly material cost allowance) plus travel funds and, if applicable, childcare allowances based on the guidelines of the DFG.

The scholarship holders will be expected to successfully conduct an independent research project that contributes to the Graduate School’s research fields. Participation in the Graduate School’s seminars and qualification program is mandatory. The international working environment of the GS OSES (UR) offers ideal conditions for the realization of excellent PhD projects in the humanities and social sciences, as well as in law, which focus on East and Southeast Europe and the entanglements of this region with other regions of the world. The GS OSES (UR) is integrated into the Eastern and Southeastern European research focus at the University of Regensburg, which also includes non-university research institutions such as the Leibniz Institute for East and Southeast European Research (IOS) and the Institute for Eastern Law (IOR). As an international research institution, the GS OSES also explicitly invites applications from international candidates. The Graduate School’s seminars are bilingual (German and English). Candidates should have at least working knowledge of both English and German. Scholarship holders will be expected to live and work in Regensburg.

Requirements:
- very good graduate degree (Master’s, Magister, German Diploma, State Examination or equivalent degree) in, or related to, one of the fields mentioned above
- independent research project within the fields of interest to the Graduate School
- interest in interdisciplinary research questions and openness for entanglements, transnational approaches and spatial perspectives
- knowledge of German and English
- knowledge of languages relevant to the proposed research project

Application:
- a covering letter (max. 1 page) outlining your motivation for applying
- outline of your proposed doctoral project (4-6 pages that includes an indication of: the aims and relevance of your project; your key questions and methods; how your project relates to existing research and debates in relevant fields)
- work plan and schedule
- Curriculum Vitae
- Scans of higher education degree certificates
- abstract of the Master’s thesis (or equivalent)
- list of publications (if applicable)
- two references from university lecturers or professors

Please submit your complete application by email (in one PDF file, 5 MB max.) to the administration office of the Graduate School at: graduiertenschule@ur.de (reference: Application Doctoral scholarship).

Deadline for applications is December 20, 2020.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview via video conference with the speaker of the Graduate School, the Admission Committee and their future advisor. The interviews will take place between January 25 and February 5, 2021. Following the interview, the Admission Committee will decide on the candidate’s admission to the Graduate School. Please refrain from inquiries about the results before February 12, 2021.

The Graduate School is committed to ensuring the compatibility of family and careers. It therefore encourages applications from women. As an international research institution, the School welcomes applications from abroad. Applicants with disabilities possessing essentially equivalent qualifications will receive preferential consideration. If applicable, please mention the disability in the application.

For more information on the application process, please contact the managing director of the GS OSES in Regensburg, Dr. Heidrun Hamersky, at heidrun.hamersky@ur.de