reference number 41/2024

The Centre for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences “Religion and Urbanity” (FOR 2779) investigates the reciprocal formation of urban and religious life, actors, institutions and imaginaries in its historical depth for cities in Europe, the Mediterranean and South Asia, from the first millenium BCE onwards. This Centre (in German: a Kolleg-Forschungsgruppe), based at the Max Weber Centre for Advanced Cultural and Social Studies of the University of Erfurt, currently invites applications for the following position with 40 hours per week. The position is starting on 1 October, 2024 or at the earliest possible date.

Research Associate (f/m/d)
Pay category E 13 TV-L (100 %)

Area of Responsibility

• pursuing an own research project within the “Religion and Urbanity” research framework
• active participation in the interdisciplinary research programme, in conferences and publications
• administrative duties related to the project

In addition to your own research, you will collaborate closely with the other members of the “Religion and Urbanity” core group and international research fellows.

What we expect

• excellent academic degree (Master or equivalent) in History or History of Religion and outstanding PhD dissertation
• submit a project proposal situated within the “Religion and Urbanity” framework, ideally also relating to one of the following processes: “group formation and segmentation”, “mercantilisation” or “boundary drawing” (cf. https://urbrel.hypotheses.org/focus-groups).
• organizational skills and intercultural competencies
• excellent knowledge of the languages relevant to the proposed project
• conversation management skills and experience in science communication
• language skills: fluency in English, basic command of German and, if necessary, willingness to improve during contract

What we offer
The University of Erfurt promotes the compatibility of career and family/private life. To this end, it offers flexible working hours and various opportunities for further training. In addition, there are a number of health and prevention offers as part of the company health management.

Comments/Remarks
The position is limited to 30 months according to the duration of the DFG project.

The advertisement is addressed to applicants who fulfill the requirements of the German Act on Temporary Scientific Contracts (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz). The general requirements for employment according to § 91 section 5 Thuringian Higher Education Act (Thüringer Hochschulgesetz) apply.

If you have a foreign university degree, it is necessary that you apply for a certificate application at the Central Office for Foreign Education (Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen, ZAB). We recommend that you attach the corresponding certificate to your application documents, but you can also provide this certificate at a later stage of the process. Please note that this is a chargeable service provided by the ZAB. For more information, please visit www.kmk.org/zab/zeugnisbewertung.

The University of Erfurt sees itself as an open-minded employer that values diversity. It is committed to diversity and gender equality and welcomes applications that contribute to this. The University of Erfurt has successfully passed the “shaping diversity” audit, has been audited as a “family-friendly university” and has received the rating “equality excellent” in the female professor programme III of the federal and state governments. Severely disabled persons and those with equal status are given preference in the case of equal suitability, professional performance, and ability. The working environment of the research group is fully accessible for handicapped persons.

Part-time employment is possible in principle. The extent to which a part-time request can be met, particularly with regard to the location and scope of the part-time work, must be examined on a case-by-case basis.

For questions regarding content, please contact Prof. Dr. Susanne Rau (e-mail: susanne.rau@uni-erfurt.de) or Prof. Dr. Jörg Rüpke (e-mail: joerg.ruepke@uni-erfurt.de).

Application and Deadline
Please send your application with informative documents (cover letter, curriculum vitae, copies of certificates: school and university degrees, a recent letter of recommendation, outline of your proposed project of approx. 2000-2500 words [including a stringent discussion of your research question, state of research, methodology and guiding hypotheses, work plan], list of publications and university courses taught, if applicable, a digital version of your PhD dissertation) exclusively online by July 21, 2024 via the application management system of the University of Erfurt.

Reimbursement of Expenses
The University of Erfurt does not refund any costs incurred in the application process.