Fachbereich Geschichts- und Kulturwissenschaften - Ostasien und Vorderer Orient Institute of Chinese Studies

Research Assistant (Praedoc) (m/f/d) 65%-part-time job limited until 31.10.2023 Entgeltgruppe 13 TV-L FU Reference code: Worldmaking/Conceptual History

Application Deadline: 12.07.2021

This call for applications invites applicants for a pre-doctoral research position (doctoral candidate) (m/f/d) in the joint project “Worldmaking from a Global Perspective: A Dialogue with China” (funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, BMBF). The project questions existing notions of “world” and approaches processes of worldmaking – the creation, transformation and disappearance of “worlds” – from transnational and transcultural perspectives. It is jointly conducted by researchers at universities in Berlin, Göttingen, Heidelberg, Munich and Würzburg.

We are seeking applicants for a position in project 1A “A Translingual Conceptual History of Chinese Worlds” based at the Department of History and Cultural Studies, Freie Universität Berlin. In Chinese many terms denote the semantic field of world, including neologisms like quanqiuhua (globalization), and terms like tianxia (all under heaven) and datong (great unity), which have experienced a revival in recent years. This project analyses which concepts of world particular terms convey, how terms and concepts have moved across linguistic borders, and how the use of terms and their inclusion into new narratives create worlds of their own. The candidate’s doctoral project should relate to one of these topics. Doctoral projects can be dedicated to Chinese terms for world as well as focus on key terms in specific fields (e.g. global history, global health, the history of science, philosophy etc.) and analyze their repercussions on Chinese conceptualizations of world.
The early-career researcher will work in a team with a postdoctoral researcher and Chinese and German research fellows in Berlin, led by Prof. Dr. Sebastian Conrad (Global History). The candidate will receive funding for conducting research in the PRC, Taiwan or Hong Kong and for participating in international workshops and conferences.

Job Description:

• Participating in the project “A Translingual Conceptual History of Chinese Worlds” within the joint project “Worldmaking from a Global Perspective: A Dialogue with China”, funded by the BMBF
• Collaborating with project members and fellows, and fostering the exchange between German and Chinese researchers
• Assisting in the organisation of the project’s conferences, workshops and transfer activities

Requirements:
Completed MA-level university degree (Master/Magister/Diplom) in Sinology/Chinese Studies, (Global) History, Philosophy, Transcultural Studies or a related discipline with a focus on China by the time of employment.

Desirable:

• Fluency in Chinese and English
• Excellent academic record and the ambition to conduct a doctoral project
• Strong interest in conceptual history, transcultural studies and global history
• Experience analysing terms and concepts from historical and translingual perspectives
• Experience studying abroad in China, Taiwan, or Hong Kong
• Interest in archival research
• Ability to work independently in an interdisciplinary team of researchers

For further information, please contact Mrs. Susanne Ebermann (susanne.ebermann@fu-berlin.de / 030 838 75034).

More Information

All applications (including a cover letter outlining your background, a detailed CV including reference letter, and all relevant certificates, summary of the MA thesis (1 page); outline of the thesis project (max. 4 pages)) quoting the reference code should be directed preferably electronically in one PDF-file to Mrs. Prof. Dr. Elena Meyer-Clement: susanne.ebermann@fu-berlin.de .

On the given occasion and for the duration of the essential on-site operations by Freie Universität Berlin, we kindly ask you to apply electronically by e-mail. The processing of a postal application cannot be guaranteed.

Freie Universität Berlin
Fachbereich Geschichts- und Kulturwissenschaften
Ostasien und Vorderer Orient
Institute of Chinese Studies
Mrs. Prof. Dr. Elena Meyer-Clement
Fabeckstr. 23-25
14195 Berlin (Dahlem)

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Call for application started on 30.05.2021.