Description

The Graduate Centre Humanities and Social Sciences of the Research Academy Leipzig invites applications from doctoral researchers in the structured PhD programme “The New Europe” at the University of Leipzig. The post-graduate programme focuses on the transnational entanglements of Eastern European history since the late 19th century and is directed towards candidates whose research focuses on cultural transfer processes in regional and supra-regional relations of Eastern and East-Central Europe, its potential for modernisation processes in terms of society and nation building, as well as the dynamic interrelation of national identity formations and transnational entanglements. In addition to the focus on Eastern and East-Central Europe, the programme relates to transitional areas of neighbouring regions such as Northeast Europe, West-Central Europe, the Black Sea region, and the Adriatic region. The programme proceeds from the assumption that spatial dimensions exist within processes of economic transformation and cultural identification as well as are present within social groupings and political structures.

There are four main research areas:
- Borders and territorialisation: the European Union as a model for a greater regional integration?
- European enlargement and globalisation at the beginning of the 21st century
- Cultural transfer and the transnationalisation of Eastern and East-Central Europe since the late 19th century
- Historical conflicts and cultural contentions in Europe

These spatial dimensions of social, cultural and political actions are linked to agents whose active shaping of space is given particular attention in these research areas and the overall programme. In addition to the creative agents, discourses and institutions are examined that help strengthen these territorial processes. The programme integrates numerous theoretical and methodological perspectives and includes many diverse fields of empirical research.

Academic Admission Requirements

We welcome applications from researchers familiar with Eastern and East-Central European modern and contemporary history in particular, however, the programme is open for applicants who have graduated in geography, cultural studies, sociology, politics, economics, and literary studies. Since the programme does not provide scholarship funding, there is a possibility to apply for full or additional funding within the grant system provided by the State of Saxony to the University of Leipzig and by the SASAKAWA Young Leaders Fellowship Fund (SYLFF). The SYLFF scholarship sponsors young scientists who contribute to the study of cultural and intellectual change in Central and Eastern Europe. Grants from the State of Saxony is given for research in all fields of interest (Landesgraduiertenförderung).

We ask for a very good command either of English or German as communication within the programme will be conducted in these two languages.

Applications are to be submitted in English or German and should include:
1. letter of application for the PhD study programme
2. CV including information on the proposed supervisors and the main research field
3. research proposal (10-15 pages) with a description of the relevant international state of research
4. detailed timetable for the dissertation project reflecting the current state of the art
5. two letters of reference from qualified academics
6. copies of certificates concerning successful graduation from university (master’s, magister or other corresponding certificate)

If you wish to apply for the PhD programme you should fulfill the following requirements:
- a master's degree or recognised equivalent from an accredited institution
- outstanding academic performance

Educational Organisation

Participants will complete a study programme comprising special research seminars, working groups, colloquia and workshops on key research skills and approaches. The programme has a modular structure according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) as initiated by the Bologna Process. The workload of the doctoral candidates will be calculated by ECTS points. Altogether candidates are required to complete 180 ECTS points during the PhD training, 60 of which can be acquired from the lectures and seminars attended during the programme, and the remaining 120 from the researching and writing of the dissertation. The programme consists of four modules, each composed of a weekly seminar, a monthly working group and a regular doctoral colloquium. At special workshops additional key research skills can be acquired: for example, presentation techniques, empirical methods of social research (at different levels), academic writing, as well as application techniques. Further integral parts of the programme are the annual summer school and winter conference.

Binational Post-Graduate Programme

The PhD programme “The New Europe” is based on the dedicated cooperation between the University of Leipzig and the University of Wroclaw within the realms of European studies, migration research, and the research of historical culture. It follows an interdisciplinary structure integrating relevant research institutions such as the Leipzig Centre for History and Culture of East-Central Europe (GWZO) and the Centre for Area Studies (CAS) at the University of Leipzig, the Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography (IfL) in Leipzig and the Willy Brandt-Centre for German and European Studies at the University of Wroclaw. As a rule, PhD students will be supervised by scholars from both universities: the University of Leipzig and the University of Wroclaw. Students will spend at least two semesters of the programme at one of the two partner universities. Study units abroad may also include field study or data collection in other Eastern and East-Central European countries.

The project is funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst, DAAD) provisioned by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, BMBF).