Within the Research Training Group 2304 “Byzantium and the Euro-Mediterranean Cultures of War. Exchange, Differentiation and Reception”, which is financed by the DFG (German Research Foundation), there are at the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz six positions for doctoral research associates (pay scale TV-L13, 2/3 FTE) to be filled by 1st October 2023 for a contract period of three years.

Participating in this Research Training Group are the disciplines of Ancient History, Ancient Church History/Theology, Byzantine Studies, Medieval History, Eastern European History, History of Islam, Classical Archaeology, Christian Archaeology and Byzantine Art History, Early and Prehistorical Archaeology (with a focus on Medieval Archaeology) and Musicology.

The goal of the Research Training Group is to examine the Euro-Mediterranean Cultures of War from a transcultural perspective, from the Roman Imperial Period to the Early Modern Period. With cultures of war are understood to be the forms and practices of war as well as the norms, interpretations, attributions of meaning and reflections referring to war. The mutual processes of exchange, differentiation or reception will be explored via four thematic areas:

1. Strategies of justification and legitimation
2. Conceptualizations of persons and groups
3. Rituals and worship
4. Knowledge and infrastructure

These topics are complemented by four cross-cutting themes. These are dedicated to the consequences of war, gender roles and gender issues, war narratives and cultural practices in the context of war. A thorough description of the research programme, the fields of research and the topics can be found on the homepage (https://www.grk-byzanz-wars.uni-mainz.de/research-fields/). The prospective dissertation project must address at least one of these thematic areas as well as be housed within one of the participating disciplines. The primary criterion for the evaluation of applications is the originality and quality of the research project summarized in the exposé. Suitable candidates can also apply on the basis of suggested topics – a selection of possible dissertation topics is likewise to be found on the homepage (https://www.grk-byzanz-wars.uni-mainz.de/job-advertisements/).

Upon acceptance the graduate students are to participate in a structured doctoral program at the JGU Mainz, for which residence in Mainz is required. The Research Training Group offers intensive specialized and interdisciplinary exchange, cross-disciplinary doctoral supervision by two professors from amongst the participating scholars, praxis-oriented courses directed at public engagement (including through museums), a comprehensive range of key qualifications (e.g. from the sphere of Digital Humanities) and diverse opportunities for international networking.

Requirements for the application include a degree (Magister, M.A. or the equivalent) completed with above-average marks in a participating or related field as well as openness to interdisciplinary work.

The following application materials are to be submitted electronically in a single .pdf (in German or English):

- A letter of application (one page)
- An outline of the planned dissertation project (two pages)
- A curriculum vitae with list of publications (if applicable), degree diplomas, certificates of scholarly activities
- Master’s Thesis (or equivalent)

The Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz is keen on increasing the proportion of women within the sphere of scholarship and therefore especially welcomes applications from female researchers. Please refer to any disability status in the application.

For subject-related questions please direct your queries to the corresponding specialists of the Research Training Group (https://www.grk-byzanz-wars.uni-mainz.de/traeger/), other questions to the Spokes-person.

The application deadline ends by 20th May 2023.

The application materials along with two letters of recommendation from university-level instructors, who should submit their letters separately, are to be addressed to the Spokesperson of the Research Training Group, Prof. Dr. Johannes Pahlitzsch, (address: grk2304@uni-mainz.de; subject-line: grk2304_Last Name).

Prof. Dr. Johannes Pahlitzsch
Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz
Fachbereich 07: Geschichts- und Kulturwissenschaften
Historisches Seminar
Byzantinistik
Jakob-Welder-Weg 18
55099 Mainz
GERMANY
Tel.: 0049-6131-39 27190
Fax: 0049-6131-39 26043