Open PhD Position – Project “Mnemonic Populism in
Contemporary Europe”

The Faculty of History, Philosophy and Theology (Department of History) at the Bielefeld University offers 2 PhD positions for 3 years each in the framework of the Junior Research Group “Mnemonic Populism in Contemporary Europe” (PI: Kornelia Kończal) funded by the Volkswagen Foundation (Freigeist Fellowship,
2023-2028). The main aim of the project “Mnemonic Populism in Contemporary Europe” is to explore how populist forces in Europe have used the past since 1945.

Your Tasks 

• preparation of your dissertation, which should also make a significant contribution to the “Mnemonic Populism in Contemporary Europe” project (85 %)
• (co-)organising and participating in events of the “Mnemonic Populism in Contemporary Europe” project (5 %)
• contributing to the activities of the department and the profile area (5 %)
• presentation of your research findings at conferences (5 %)

Employment is conducive to academic qualifications.

Your Profile

They Expect:

• completed scientific university degree (e. g. Master or Diploma) in history or related disciplines (e. g. anthropology, cultural studies, political science, sociology)
• interest in interdisciplinary and international cooperation
• autonomous, self-reliant and committed way of working
• cooperative and team-oriented mindset
• strong coordination and organization skills
• language skills necessary to conduct the research project (projects exploring developments in two or more countries are particularly welcome)
• very good written and spoken English skills

Preferred experience and skills

• good written and spoken German skills
• work experience in an academic or a non-academic setting

They Offer

• salary according to Remuneration level 13 TV-L
• fixed-term (3 years) (§ 2 (1) sentence 2 of the WissZeitVG; in accordance with the provisions of the WissZeitVG and the Agreement on Satisfactory Conditions of Employment, the length of contract may differ in individual
  cases)
• part-time 65 %
• an intellectually stimulating research environment including membership in the Bielefeld Graduate School in History and Sociology and in the Historical Cultures Profile Area
• professional academic supervision
• flexible working hours
• administrative support from a student assistant
• various teaching opportunities
• internal and external training opportunities
• availability of health, consulting and prevention services
• work-life-balance support

Application Procedure
They are looking forward to receiving your application. The application should include: a letter of motivation, including a statement of your research interests, motivation and expectations; a curriculum vitae, including information on your academic career and degrees, and, if applicable, work experience, publications, grants, awards, language and other relevant skills; a transcript of records of your MA studies; writing sample (copy of your MA thesis and, if applicable, a published work); outline of your individual research project that you intend to carry out as a member of the Junior Research Group “Mnemonic Populism in
Contemporary Europe” (up to 1,000 words); two names of scholars whom we might contact for recommendation. To apply, please use
our online form via the application link.

Application deadline: 24.04.2025