The Cluster of Excellence “Asia and Europe in a Global Context: Shifting Asymmetries in Cultural Flows” at the University of Heidelberg is offering 2 PhD scholarships within the Junior Research Group “Asymmetries in Cultural Information Flows: Europe and South Asia in the Global Information Network since the Nineteenth Century”.

The PhD students will be expected to develop a PhD project with the Junior Research Group’s research focus. The research group primarily examines how the emergence of a global telecommunication network in the late nineteenth century altered information flow patterns between South Asia and Europe and transformed action and event horizons on both sides of the communication process.

One PhD student will work within the framework of the subproject “‘Telegram Style’: Shifts in Transcultural Knowledge and Colonial Decision-Taking” and ideally have a background in British colonial history, South Asian history and/or communication studies. The other PhD project will be carried out within the subproject “Shifting Horizons: The Local Impact of Telegraphy in Nineteenth-Century South Asia”. The successful candidate should have a background in South Asian Literature/Culture and/or history. Mastery of a local language will be necessary for the latter position.

General information on the Cluster of Excellence can be found at http://www.vjc.uni-hd.de. It is highly recommended to contact the JRG leader, Roland Wenzlhuemer, to obtain further details about the research design of the Junior Research Group and the subprojects.
Applicants will have an excellent academic standing and be interested in completing a doctoral degree at the University of Heidelberg. Applicants are required to hold a Masters degree or equivalent by 1 October 2008. The positions available are open to both EU and overseas students.

The scholarships will start on 1 October 2008 or as soon as possible thereafter. They are awarded for two years with a possible renewal for another year after successful evaluation. The scholarship includes a stipend of EUR 1.000 per month and access to travel funds. Applications from women, ethnic minorities and individuals with disabilities are encouraged. For further information please contact roland.wenzlhuemer@staff.hu-berlin.de.

Please send a CV, copies of university degrees, two letters of recommendation and a short PhD project outline of no more than 1.000 words to the address below. Electronic applications are welcome. Interviews will begin on 18 August 2008 and continue until the positions are filled.