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Saskia Limbach

1 week ago

3 Doctoral or Postdoctoral Research Fellows in 'WidowsPrint - Widows in the Growing Print Industry, c. 1550-1700' (ERC 101116563) University of Göttingen in Germany

I am recruiting PhD and postdoctoral researchers for the ERC project 'WidowsPrint' on widows in the early modern print industry at the University of Göttingen.

University of Göttingen

Germany

email-of-the@publisher.com

Dec 3, 2025

Keywords

Sociology
Gender Studies
European Studies
Network Analysis
Legal History
History
Jurisprudence
Digital Humanities
Archival Studies
Printing Technology
Medieval History
Cultural History
Paleography
Economics
Germany

Description

The University of Göttingen invites applications for three Doctoral or Postdoctoral Research Fellow positions within the ERC-funded project 'WidowsPrint - Widows in the Growing Print Industry, c. 1550-1700.' This interdisciplinary project explores the impact of the printing press on the rights and agency of widows in early modern Germany, a period marked by rapid economic and social change. The research group aims to fill significant gaps in our understanding of the print industry’s growth and the often-overlooked contributions of widows, whose roles are difficult to reconstruct due to incomplete historical records. By systematically recording print runs from a wide range of archival sources, the project will create a comprehensive dataset to analyze factors influencing print run sizes and the total output of print shops. It will also examine how widows' economic agency evolved as book production shifted from small workshops to larger family enterprises. Successful candidates will lead one of three work packages: (A) comparing the productivity of women and men printers, focusing on print runs; (B) investigating the legal status and business strategies of printing widows in various German locations; or (C) analyzing the networks of widow printers through digital analysis of printing materials. Responsibilities include publishing academic work in English, supporting the project through conference organization and editing, and collecting and processing archival data. Applicants for doctoral positions must hold an MA in Book Studies, History, German Studies, Theology, Digital Humanities, or a related field with a focus on the early modern period. Postdoctoral applicants must have a relevant PhD. Proficiency in English and good knowledge of German are required, as is experience with early modern printing and the book trade. Desirable skills include palaeography, archival research, and publishing experience. The positions are funded by the ERC under Horizon Europe, with salaries based on the 13 TV-L pay scale. Doctoral positions are 65% FTE, while postdoctoral positions are full-time; both offer flexible working hours, the possibility of remote work, and support for travel to conferences. The project provides a stimulating international and interdisciplinary environment, opportunities for career development, and supervision by Dr Saskia Limbach and other staff. Applications should include a cover letter, project outline, CV, degree certificates, and a digital copy of the master’s dissertation (and PhD thesis, if applicable), submitted as a single PDF by 3 December 2025 to widowsprint.kontakt@theologie.uni-goettingen.de. Interviews will be conducted via Zoom in December 2025. The University of Göttingen is committed to equal opportunities and encourages applications from women and individuals with disabilities.

Funding

Available

How to apply

Submit your application (cover letter, project outline, CV, degree certificates, digital copy of master’s dissertation and, if applicable, PhD thesis or outline) as a single PDF document by email to widowsprint.kontakt@theologie.uni-goettingen.de by 3 December 2025. Interviews will be held via Zoom on 9-11 December 2025. For questions, contact Dr Saskia Limbach.

Requirements

For Doctoral Research Fellows: MA in Book Studies, History, German Studies, Theology, Digital Humanities or related fields with a focus on the early modern period. For Postdoctoral Research Fellows: PhD in Book Studies, History, German Studies, Theology, Digital Humanities or related fields with a focus on the early modern period. Proficiency in English (spoken and written) and good knowledge of German are required. Experience with research on early modern printing and the book trade is essential. Candidates should demonstrate an independent, precise, and team-oriented work ethic, as well as excellent organisation and communication skills. Desirable skills include experience with palaeography, archival material, and publishing (for doctoral candidates: small parts of your work; for postdoctoral candidates: publishing in English).

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