10 Three-Year Ph.D. Positions (f/m/d)

The Heidelberg Center for American Studies (HCA) at Heidelberg University, Germany, invites applications for

10 Three-Year Ph.D. Positions (f/m/d)

in an interdisciplinary Research Training Group (Graduiertenkolleg) on Authority and Trust in American Culture, Society, History, and Politics (GKAT). Funded by the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG), GKAT focuses on three broadly defined research areas: (1) the authority of the modern state and trust in public and social institutions; (2) the urban dimension of authority and trust; (3) authority and trust in literature, culture and religion. What we are looking for:

• GKAT targets postgraduates with a background in the following disciplines: American Studies, urban and human geography, history, literature and culture, philosophy, political science, sociology, economics, and religious history
• We strongly encourage international junior scholars to apply

What you should bring to GKAT:

• An innovative and feasible dissertation project within the thematic focus of GKAT
• An excellent master’s degree or equivalent
• A high personal motivation for scholarly work and research
• An interest in and readiness to engage in interdisciplinary cooperation
• Fluency in English and a familiarity with American culture

What GKAT offers:

• A stimulating interdisciplinary and international environment at Germany’s oldest university
• Collaborative networks of European and North American scholars
• Individualized mentoring
• A qualification program tailored to academic as well as professional career paths

The positions are limited to three years (October 1, 2023 - September 30, 2026); salaries are predicated on the German public sector remuneration system (TV-L 13, 25,675 h/week, i.e. 65%). GKAT researchers are expected to take up their positions in Heidelberg by October 2023. What you need to submit:

• A standard curriculum vitae (1-2 pages)
• An outline which identifies the topic, research area, research question, theoretical approaches and methodology of your proposed research project (2-3 pages)
• A writing sample from your master’s thesis or equivalent which demonstrates familiarity with the standards of academic work (10 pages maximum)
• Copies of degrees and diplomas

Please submit these materials in English in one collated PDF file to: gkat@hca.uni-heidelberg.de. Application deadline: March 1, 2023. We ask for your understanding that application documents received by post will not be returned. Based on the applications received, GKAT faculty will select qualified applicants with an interesting profile. They will be asked to submit a more elaborate version of their project outline (max. 10 pages) and provide the names of two references. If you have any further questions on the application process, please contact Hannes Nagl at hnagl@hca.uni-heidelberg.de. For detailed descriptions of the GKAT research design, curriculum and qualification program, please go to https://www.hca.uni-heidelberg.de/gkat/. Heidelberg University stands for equal opportunities and diversity. Qualified female candidates are especially invited to apply. Persons with severe disabilities will be given preference if they are equally qualified. Information on job advertisements and the collection of personal data is available at www.uni-heidelberg.de/en/job-market.