The University of Greifswald has received funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG) for the International Research Training Group (IRTG) "Baltic Borderlands: Shifting Boundaries of Mind and Culture in the Borderlands of the Baltic Sea Region" and now invites applications from well-qualified candidates for one of three PhD positions. This announcement addresses particularly applicants from history, art history, Scandinavian, Slavonic and Baltic languages and literatures, political science, theology as well as cultural studies.
The International Research Training Group was initiated by the University of Greifswald, the University of Lund (Sweden), and the University of Tartu (Estonia) to provide a common programme for doctoral students and post-doctoral researchers. Currently, 20 PhD students and 5 post-docs are being trained in Greifswald, Lund and Tartu. In Greifswald, the subject areas offered include history, Baltic, Scandinavian and Slavonic languages and literature, political science, and systematic theology. Over and beyond history, theology, and Slavonic studies in Lund and Tartu, there are also offerings in ethnology, geography, and communication studies.
Applications are invited from candidates willing to conduct research relating to bordering processes in one of the following themes:
1. The emergence and transformation of historical borderlands
2. The cultural contexts of cross-border action in borderland areas
3. The economic permeability and persistence of borders
4. New border regimes: The political dimension of border formation and dissolution
The programme of study within the International Research Training Group includes relevant courses held locally at each university as well as tri-national workshops/conferences in Greifswald, Lund and Tartu. Furthermore, it is obligatory that each PhD student will spend 6-12 months as a visiting researcher at the partner universities. The costs of such research visits will be partly covered by a mobility grant awarded in addition to the monthly payment.
Requirements:
- applicants should hold a good first degree and normally have, or be about to obtain, a Masters qualification in a discipline relevant to the PhD topic.
- Applicants should submit an exposé for a research project in the above mentioned fields (max. 10 pages)
- good written and spoken English. Knowledge of German, Estonian or Swedish is desirable but not essential.
The willingness and ability of the candidate to participate actively in an international research programme is a precondition. The programme of study is compulsory for all PhD students in the International Research Training Group. The University of Greifswald is committed to increase the share of women and disabled people within the organisation. Women and disabled people are explicitly invited to apply. The IRTG Baltic Borderlands is a family friendly institution and encourages young adults with families to apply. The successful candidates are expected to take up residence in Greifswald.
Starting date: 2 positions commencing 1st January 2016
1 position commencing 1st April 2016
(subject to approval by the DFG)
Value of positions: about € 18.000 p.a. (after tax, according to 65% TV-L 13, payment scale public service)
The position will be awarded for two years initially, and can be extended for one further year.
Closing date for applications: 31 October 2015
Applications (with curriculum vitae, copies of educational qualifications and degree thesis, list of publications, a written reference from a university professor, and a research proposal) should be sent via mail or email to the speaker of the International Research Training Group, Professor Dr. Dr. h. c. Michael North by 31 October 2015.