Fachbereich Geschichts- und Kulturwissenschaften
Ostasien und Vorderer Orient
Institut für Arabistik

research assistant
full-time job
limitedt to 2 years
Entgeltgruppe 13 TV-L FU
reference code: GeschKult/PALread Postdoc

Applications are invited for a two-year Postdoctoral Researcher position to work on the European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant project (2018-2023) PalREAD Country of Words: Reading and Reception of Palestinian Literature from 1948 to the Present, lead by principle investigator Dr. Refqa Abu-Remaileh.

PalREAD will seek to map and trace the development of Palestinian literature from 1948 to the present, with a focus on Arabic-language literary sources published across the Arab world, in Europe and North America. The project proposes a deep and thorough study of Palestinian literature as an early and on-going case of literary displacement in the Arab world. It aims to work with interdisciplinary and transmedial models, including digital humanities, to analyse texts, literary production, reception and sites of reading that challenge and lie outside conventional conceptions of the nation-state and embeds literary production into a wider cultural web of intersecting media and genres. Ultimately, the project aims to bring together dispersed geographic fragments of Palestinian literature, traditionally studied separately, or limited to certain authors or time periods. The project’s main outputs will be visualized and made accessible via an interactive online platform.

Job description:

The successful candidate will be expected to undertake research at relevant libraries and archives primarily across the MENA region, as well as in Europe and North America. Fieldwork will also involve conducting interviews. In addition to contributing to the production of academic publications, the postdoctoral researcher will be expected to take an active, and in some cases, a leading role in: developing and maintaining the project’s online platform; organizing conference panels; preparing grant applications and reports, and organizing conferences/workshops, seminars, and/or public events. A limited amount of teaching, and project administration will also be expected. The project is based at the Seminar for Semitic and Arabic Studies at the Department of History and Cultural Studies, Freie Universität Berlin. Preferred start date of the project is October 15 2018. The post is for a fixed-term basis of two years. The salary range lies within the German civil service TV-L 13 salary group. The successful candidate must be willing to be based in Berlin.

Requirements:

PhD degree in modern Arabic Literature and/or Culture.

Desirable:

Experience conducting research in libraries and archives in the MENA region; Publications in peer-reviewed academic journals; ability to work independently and with colleagues in a team; good communication and interpersonal skills; experience conducting interviews; advanced level or fluency in Arabic and English; demonstrated knowledge and/or experience of research on Palestinian literature or culture; access and/or established links to relevant networks in the MENA region; demonstrated experience or interest in digital humanities approaches to literature; knowledge of German.

All applications quoting the reference code should be addressed no later than June 18th, 2018 as an e-mail (including Cover Letter, CV, List of Publications, Sample of a recent publication) to Dr. Refya Abu-Remaileh: r.remaileh@fu-berlin.de or postal

Freie Universität Berlin
Fachbereich Geschichts- und Kulturwissenschaften
Ostasien und Vorderer Orient
Institut für Arabistik
Frau Dr. Refya Abu-Remaileh
Fabeckstr. 23-25
14195 Berlin (Dahlem)