Deadline for applications – 10 September 2023
A position as junior (pre-doctoral) research fellow (m/f/div) is available at Leibniz-Zentrum Moderner Orient (ZMO) in Berlin, with a start date of 1 January 2024, or as soon as possible after that date. The position comes with a fixed contract duration of four years. It is part of the collaborative project “In Pursuit of ‘Legality’ and ‘Justice’: Minority Struggles in the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union” (JUSTIMINO), funded by a European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant and headed by PD Dr. Stefan B. Kirmse. All applicants are advised to read the JUSTIMINO project outline carefully (see the link above).
The junior researcher will work on a specific case of a national group/nationality in the Soviet Union calling and fighting for ‘legality’ and ‘justice’ between the 1950s and 1980s (in the courts, in party institutions, in street demonstrations, international campaigns, or similar). The researcher is free to propose their own case study, within the broader JUSTIMINO frame. The JUSTIMINO project will be part of the ZMO research unit “Representations of the Past”.
The position will give the successful applicant the opportunity to complete a doctoral dissertation in a relevant discipline (history, legal anthropology, or socio-legal studies). To this end, they will enrol as a PhD candidate at a suitable university, ideally in Berlin. The salary grade corresponds to the German scheme of employment in the public sector (TVöD Bund, salary group E13, FTE 65% = 25.35 h/w). Additional funds for research and conference travel, visa fees (if required), and publications are available.
The post will be filled upon the release of funds.
Your responsibilities:
- Development of a pre-doctoral research project within the JUSTIMINO framework, in close cooperation with the project leader PD Dr. Stefan B. Kirmse
- Autonomous research in suitable Eurasian archives, on published sources and scholarly literature under the supervision of the project leader
- Oral history research
- Submission of a doctoral dissertation
- Publication of one article in a high-impact journal, contribution to collective volumes produced by the JUSTIMINO project
- Participation in activities of the JUSTIMINO programme (internal meetings, lecture series, workshops, and conferences), both in Germany and abroad
- Participation in key academic formats of the host institute (such as project presentations and colloquia)
- Help with the documentation of project results, database development and academic reports
- Further administrative tasks in the JUSTIMINO programme
- Contributions to project blogs, social media, podcasts, etc.
Candidate profile:
- Above average academic performance and Master’s degree in history or a related discipline (legal anthropology, socio-legal studies, human rights studies or other), ideally with a focus on the modern history of Russia and/or Central Eurasia
- Excellent command of the Russian and English languages; German is desirable but not mandatory
- Intermediate to advanced reading and conversational skills in the language of the nationality studied (such skills will have to be documented by the end of the first year)
- Excellent communication and team skills
- Ability to work independently
- Good knowledge of MS Office
About ZMO:
ZMO, located in the Nikolassee area of Berlin, is the only research institute in Germany with an interdisciplinary and comparative historical approach to research on the Middle East, Eurasia, Africa, South and Southeast Asia. The focus of its research is the interaction within majority Muslim societies and their relationships with their non-Muslim neighbouring regions. ZMO is part of the Leibniz Association, which connects 97 independent research institutions in Germany. Their focus ranges from natural, engineering and environmental sciences to economics, social sciences and the humanities. We offer a vibrant and interdisciplinary work environment and a collegial atmosphere. The institute is committed to achieving a good work-life balance.
Application:
When filling positions in areas of employment in which one gender is underrepresented or diversity is low, applicants with the same qualifications and suitability who belong to underrepresented groups are given priority. Search committees represent gender equality and diversity while looking for high standards of academic rigour in the candidates.
Make sure to include the following application materials:
- Cover letter outlining motivation for applying
- A 2-page research outline focusing on the topic outlined above, explaining which research questions the candidate would like to address, along with the methodology
- CV
- Language and academic certificates
- Writing sample (this could be an academic article, or a research essay submitted as part of your studies)
- A list of 2-3 potential referees and their contact details (reference letters are not required).
Please combine all application materials in one PDF file and, using the reference code JUSTIMINO-DOC, send them to Leibniz-Zentrum Moderner Orient, Dr. Silke Nagel ([email protected]) by 10 September 2023.
For further information on the project and structure of the positions, please contact PD Dr. Stefan B. Kirmse ([email protected]).
