The Centre for East European and International Studies - research cluster ‘Conflict Dynamics and Border Regions’ - is seeking to fill the position of

PhD researcher (m/f/div)

ideally starting on 1 September 2021. This position comprises 60% of the collectively agreed working hours (23,5 hours/week) according to pay scale 13 TVöD (Collective Agreement for the Public Service). The position is limited to three years.

The Centre for East European and International Studies (ZOiS) is an independent, international, publicly funded research institute. It focuses on foundational and socially relevant academic research on Eastern Europe and shares the results with policy-makers, the media and the broader public.

Subject to funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG), the PhD researcher will be working in the project “Strategies of Small and Medium-sized Businesses: Markets in Ukraine and Moldova” led by Dr Sabine von Löwis and Dr Julia Langbein.

Since Moldova and Ukraine gained independence, individual trade has developed as part of large wholesale and consumer markets in cities like Odessa, Chmelnyckyj, Charkiv, or Chisinau. These markets are social and economic networks that ensured survival in a transformation period and are part of the global economy. As ambivalent and complex social and economic spaces, they exist in the grey zone of national economies and formal and informal activities, as well as being spaces of mediation, inclusion, and social risk management. They are challenged by current developments within and outside the countries in question. The PhD project analyses these markets and their actors against the background of challenges arising from internal economic instability, as well as the Association Agreement (AA) with the EU, of which the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) is part. It investigates how market actors deal with the resulting social and economic effects and assesses the extent to which they are able to shape these domestic and external developments.

The project is part of the French-German research project ‘Living in between: Strategies of adaption and horizons of expectation in Moldova and Ukraine (LimSpaces)’ (partners: UMR 85 04 Géographie-cités Paris, Centre Marc Bloch, Berlin) funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the Agence Nationale de Recherche (ANR). The project offers a new interpretation of the societies of Ukraine and Moldova, which seem to have settled into a permanent state of political and social instability in the immediate neighbourhood of the European Union. On an empirical level, it offers a comprehensive reading of these ‘in between’ societies by studying the everyday strategies of people living in situations of high uncertainty.

Qualifications and requirements:

- Master’s degree (or equivalent) with excellent grades in Geography, Social or Political Sciences consistent with the position’s research profile
- Proven knowledge and experience of empirical social science research
- Strong skills in qualitative research methods
- Knowledge of Eastern Europe and/or Eurasia is an asset
- Research or work experience in the research region is an asset
- Excellent written and spoken English skills
- Additional proficiency in a language spoken in the research region is an asset; otherwise the willingness to learn a language spoken in the research region is a requirement
- Eagerness and openness to work in an interdisciplinary team; good communication skills
- Willingness and suitability to travel abroad

We offer an exciting and multi-faceted position in a family-friendly research institute that works across academic disciplines. The position also includes the option of a company pension scheme (VBL).

We value diversity and therefore welcome all applications – regardless of gender, nationality, ethnicity, social origin, religion/belief, disability, age, and sexual orientation and identity.

Applications from women and applicants with a migration background are strongly encouraged. Applicants with recognised disabilities will be considered with priority if they are equally suited to the position.

Please send your application with a complete set of documents (letter of motivation, curriculum vitae, proof of qualifications) by 18.07.2021 solely by email to bewerbung@zois-berlin.de.

Please combine your documents into one pdf document (max 6 MB) and state PhD05/2021 as the reference.

Please contact Emily Kleine for any further questions: emily.kleine@zois-berlin.de