Reference no 2023/123-123a (english)

The postdocs are expected to (1) conduct each their own research project within the scope of the RTG’s area of main interests, (2) participate in the implementation and further development of the research program and the doctoral studies and qualification program.

The applicants’ professional background should be in philosophy, art studies, literature, theatre studies, musicology, cultural studies, or sociology. Requirements for employment besides the completed academic degree are: an outstanding doctorate and proven subject-matter expertise as well as methodological knowledge in one of the above-mentioned disciplines (or a related discipline within the arts and humanities) relevant to the RTG’s research program.

In addition to the scientific qualification, the participation in the RTG requires openness to cooperation in an interdisciplinary team and excellent communication skills. Active engagement in the development of the RTG is expected. Relevant aesthetic-practical experience is also desirable.

The Research Training Group:

The DFG Research Training Group 2477 “Aesthetic Practice” is an interdisciplinary institution for the training and promotion of young researchers, funded by the German Research Foundation with funds from the federal and state governments. With ten doctoral positions and one postdoctoral position, the RTG began its work at the University of Hildesheim in April 2019. The second four-and-a-half-year funding period will begin in October 2023.

The RTG examines the experience and practice of being aesthetically active, expanding the scope of traditional aesthetics and art studies to include a practice theory component. Since the introduction of the concept of aesthetics in the 18th century, discourse on art has concentrated mainly on aesthetic experience, perception, and judgment. With our focus we propose a praxeological shift in the very questions of aesthetics toward forms of practice and performance that function as creative processes in their own right, since they enable and generate – though neither necessarily nor mechanically – the production and reception of works of art. Consequently, our focus of attention is on aesthetic forms of making and performing such as writing processes, rehearsal processes, processes of practicing and improvising.

We explore these processes in the context of classical European art institutions as well as in everyday and “non-European” aesthetic practices.

The research program of the second funding period will focus on the following topics:

- We will analyse the potential for critique, for example of reified forms of life and practice (and the epistemic orders of justification corresponding to them), associated with the performance of aesthetic practices
- We will explore the possibilities of decolonising aesthetics in order to critically highlight the manifold colonial entanglements of the European art world and of the theoretical foundations of Western aesthetics themselves, that became largely oblivious to the significance of aesthetic practice and performance
- We will investigate the methodological question of how practice as practice can be adequately observed and described (descriptology of practice)
- As a transversal topic, GRK 2477 will focus more explicitly on aesthetic practices in the context of digitization in the second funding phase

Application Documents:

- Proof of academic university degrees (certified translation, if applicable)
- Doctoral certificate (certified translation, if applicable)
- Curriculum vitae with a detailed description of the applicant’s academic career
- Letter of motivation documenting the applicant’s personal suitability for the research programme and outlining how the applicant intends to contribute to the Research Training Group
- Outline of the research project (synopsis) describing the planned project and its integration into the research programme of the Research Training Group (max. 10 pages incl. timetable)

For applicants from foreign universities, the equivalent of the respective German degree and proof of German language skills at DSH 1/TestDaF 3 level or equivalent are required.

Job interviews are likely to be held during calendar week 39.

As a family-friendly university, we offer a varied, interdisciplinary range of tasks, flexible working hours, regular further and advanced training and a special annual payment within the framework of TV-L. In joining the university, you will become part of a dynamic, committed and open-minded team. The University of Hildesheim has adopted a mission statement that places great importance on gender equality and diversity. The University of Hildesheim particularly wants to promote the professional equality of women and men. Therefore, it aims to increase the proportion of employees of the gender that is underrepresented in the respective area. In the case of equal qualification and suitability, applications from applicants with severe disabilities will be given preferential consideration. (Proof of disability must be enclosed.)

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the spokesperson of the Research Training Group, Prof. Dr. Jens Roselt, by phone: +49 5121/883-20702 or by e-mail: roselt@uni-hildesheim.de.

For university degrees obtained abroad, a certificate evaluation by the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) is required as proof of equivalence before employment. If necessary, please apply for this in good time. You can find more information at https://www.kmk.org/zeugnisbewertung.html.

Please apply before 27.08.2023 via the online career portal. Click („Online Bewerbung“) on the bottom of the screen.