The EU-funded LEVIATHAN project challenges existing east-west interpretations of European identity. The collaborative research project with partners at CEU (Budapest / Vienna), the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (Sofia) and the University of Hamburg aims to understand Europe beyond an East-West-dichotomy by focusing on medicine and health policy. Within this framework, we are looking for a research associate (3 years, Postdoc 100% E13; Predoc 65%, E 13) to work on neonatal care and the reduction of infant mortality in post-war Europe.
In the 1950s, the infant mortality rate (IMR) had become an indicator of the prosperity of a society and the efficiency of its health care system. This interconnection allows examining the interrelations between medicine, politics and society on several levels - disciplinary (neonatology), institutional (maternity hospitals), industrial (high-tech infrastructure, facilities and technology), internationally (competition in the forum of the WHO).
Efforts to reduce the infant mortality rate are often seen as a prime example of competition between East and West. To broaden this perspective and in addition to a German-German comparison, the study should include two other states on both sides of the “Nylon Curtain”, e.g. France and the Czech Republic or Great Britain and Hungary.
We require a university degree in history or cultural studies (M.A, Mag., PhD) and appropriate language skills. We also expect presence work and participating in the institute's tasks (scientific events, etc.). We are looking for a self-reliant, solution-oriented and writing-enthusiastic person who enjoys teamwork and exchange.
We offer a position in a challenging project within a stimulating intellectual environment with numerous other researchers, the opportunity for international networking and an excellent infrastructure of the Library & Medical Humanities Collection at one of the most prestigious institutions in the history of medicine and science in the German speaking countries. In addition, we always try to offer our staff the possibility of continued employment beyond the duration of the project. The possibility of qualification is given (habil./ second book).
The Institute is located on the campus of the FU in Berlin-Dahlem, and cooperates with the history departments of the HU and FU as well as with the MPI for the History of Science.
Please send your application with informative documents (CV, list of publications, samples of your work) and a research outline (up to 3000 words) to the Institute's secretariat (stefanie.voth@charite.de) by 19 December 2022. Please send enquiries to volker.hess@charite.de.
The selection interviews are expected to take place in mid-January, with recruitment scheduled for the April 2023.