The Leibniz Institute for the History and Culture of Eastern Europe (GWZO) conducts comparative research on historical and cultural developments of the area between the Baltic, the Black, and the Adriatic Seas from Antiquity to the present. The broad geographical scope of the institute’s research area requires scholars to adopt comparative, interdisciplinary, transnational methods while maintaining a comprehensive perspective over this entire historical period from Antiquity through the Middle Ages and into the contemporary era. The GWZO is a member of the Leibniz Association and an affiliate institution of Leipzig University and employs scholars from around the world.
Within the GWZO’s »Man and Environment« division, the research project on »The Dantean Anomaly 1309-21« (https://dantean.hypotheses.org/), funded by a VW Freigeist Fellowship, focuses on the sociocultural impacts of rapid climate change on human society and reconstructing climate patterns using both the written record and natural proxy data. For this research, the GWZO is looking to fill the position of a
postdoctoral researcher
at the 13 TV-L (100%) salary level. The position will last from 1 February 2020 until 31 October 2021 (in accordance with stipulations of the WissZeitVG).
Your Tasks
– independent research on climate history of the Middle East in the 13th and 14th centuries based on edited and, if necessary, archival sources;
-conception of a research project—generally speaking for the advancement of an academic career (Habilitation, second book)—and presentation of the ongoing project and final results both within the institute and beyond;
– close interdisciplinary cooperation with the members of the junior research group and a willingness to collaborate with scholars in the earth sciences.Your Profile
– very good master’s degree (or equivalent) and doctoral degree in the humanities or cultural studies, preferably Middle Eastern studies, especially Arabic studies, history, or archeology;
– a good command of English and Arabic, both spoken and written; knowledge of German is preferable;
– a familiarity with the methods of the Digital Humanities is advantageous, especially GIS and/or text corpora analysis, as well as at least cursory knowledge of environmental history.The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with the professor of Islamic studies (Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg) and to participate in events at the GWZO.
The GWZO actively pursues the goal of vocational equality for women and men; women are expressly encouraged to apply. Severely disabled persons are likewise encouraged to apply and will be given preference in the case of equal suitability.
Applications should include the usual documents (CV/transcripts/etc.) along with a project description of app. 1000 words; they should be submitted per email by 8 December 2019 to the director of the GWZO (Prof. Dr. Christian Lübke): bewerbung@leibniz-gwzo.de.