Deadline: June 30, 2022
The Herder Institute for Historical Research on East Central Europe –
Institute of the Leibniz Association and the Department of History and
Cultural Studies at Justus Liebig University Giessen are looking to
jointly fill the following position as of 1 October, 2022:
Tandem Postdoc Position “Digital History” (male, female, gender
diverse, full time−E 13 TV-H, max. 6 years according to WissZeitVG)
The goal of the tandem postdoc position is to carry out an innovative
research project related to the history of East Central Europe. The
position therefore also supports the cooperation of both institutions
in the field of digital history in the areas of research, teaching,
promotion of young researchers and acquisition of third-party funding.
The Herder Institute conducts and supports historical, art historical
and cultural research on East Central Europe. As an institute of the
Leibniz Association and an institution of scientific infrastructure,
the Institute provides media, materials and historical documents for
historical research
on East Central Europe on a large scale. Since 2015, the Institute has
significantly expanded its work in the Digital Humanities. The
Historical Institute at Justus Liebig University has a broad and
diverse research and teaching scope with a focus on Eastern European
history. At the Institute of History, plans are being implemented to
use digital history tools more intensively in individual projects and
to expand the range of courses offered in this area. The successful
applicant will become an active member of the interdisciplinary
working group “Digital and Source Critical Documentation of Cultural
Heritage in Eastern Europe” at the Herder Institute and will support
the development of a planned Joint Lab “Exploring Eastern Europe in a
Digital World”. Active participation in the Herder Institute Research
Academy (HIRA) and cooperation with the Giessen Center for Eastern
Europe (GiZo) and the International Graduate Centre for the Study of
Culture (GCSC) is also expected.
Areas of activity:
• The holder of this position will further their scientific training,
working on an independent research project in the field of digital
history of East Central Europe with the aim of acquiring a further
scientific qualification (habilitation).
• Teaching: independent teaching in the field of digital history at
Justus Liebig University for the Institute of History and the Giessen
Center for Eastern Europe (interdisciplinary Master’s program) for 2
semester hours per week per semester; organization of practical
modules integrating collection holdings of the Herder Institute and
organization of teaching import of the Institute to Justus Liebig
University.
• Project management: contributing to the development of projects and
the acquisition of external funding.
It is expected that:
Applicants have sound knowledge of current methods and technologies in
digital history studies, knowledge of research data management and/or
software development, a good command of written and spoken English,
and at least a basic knowledge of German (including a willingness to
actively develop and expand this from the start of the position).
Experience in the acquisition of third-party funding and in project
management is an advantage, as is knowledge of an East-Central
European language.
Prerequisites:
A completed university degree and doctorate in the fields of history,
Eastern European history, digital history, or computer science (with a
clear connection to the humanities). Applicants must also have very
good conceptual skills and a strong ability to work in a team, as well
as a willingness to quickly familiarize themselves with new approaches
and application areas.
We offer:
A creative environment and the opportunity to work and undertake
research in an innovative way. The successful applicant will also be
able to contribute their own ideas and to implement them while
building their own projects. The position also allows in-depth
insights into the cooperation between universities and non-university
institutes, the development of scientific infrastructures (library,
collections, archive) and an opportunity to work in both an
interdisciplinary and transnational context. The employment
relationship is with the Herder Institute, but half of the tasks will
be undertaken at Justus Liebig University, where a workstation is also
available.
An ongoing, key aim at the Herder Institute and Justus Liebig
University is to establish the best possible work-life balance for
their staff. Both institutions have set themselves the goal of
increasing the proportion of women in research and teaching and
therefore extend a special invitation to qualified female applicants.
The Herder Institute strives to be a family-friendly institution. We
welcome applicants with children and offer, for example, the
possibility of flexible working hours and, if required at short
notice, a parent-child room. We also give preferential consideration
to qualified applicants who have severe disabilities. The position can
also be filled on a part-time basis. To prevent discrimination, please
refrain from submitting application photos.
Send your application (including a cover letter, curriculum vitae,
relevant references, and a 2 to 3-page project outline detailing your
experience and ideas relevant to the tandem position) by 30 June 2022
via email in a PDF file to bewerbung@herder-institut.de. Please
include “HI2022-TandemPostdoc” as a reference. Interviews will be held
in Marburg or Giessen during the 28th calendar week (starting July 11).
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Prof. Dr.
Peter Haslinger (peter.haslinger@herder-institut.de)