PhD Programme at the Centre for the Study of Manuscript Cultures (CSMC), Universität Hamburg University of Hamburg in Germany

The Centre for the Study of Manuscript Cultures (CSMC) at the University of Hamburg offers a unique interdisciplinary PhD programme focused on the holistic study of handwritten artefacts from the origins of writing to the present day. The programme welcomes candidates from a broad spectrum of disciplines, including the humanities, natural sciences, and computer science, and is conducted entirely in English on campus in Hamburg.

Research at CSMC is organised into eleven thematic fields, such as Artefact Profiling, Inscribing Spaces, Archiving Artefacts, Data Linking, and Exploring Multilingual Written Artefacts. Six working groups further enrich the research environment, including initiatives on palm-leaf manuscripts, theory and terminology, new technologies, ethics, Asian highland manuscripts, and manuscript analysis. Participating disciplines span African Languages and Linguistics, Ancient History, Archaeometry, Art History, Assyriology, Biology, Chemistry, Classical Archaeology, Computer Science, German Language and Literature, Indology, Islamic Studies, Japanese Studies, Jewish Philosophy, Medieval and Modern History, Mineralogy, Musicology, Physics, Sinology, Southeast Asian History, and more.

The structured doctoral programme lasts six semesters (three years) and includes an introductory workshop, alternating lecture series on histories and typologies of written artefacts, comparative and methodological workshops, and a doctoral colloquium. Doctoral researchers focus on individual research questions within one of the research fields, supported by international collaborations, field research opportunities, and the possibility of co-supervision with professors from partner universities abroad.

Admission requires a relevant Master's degree (or equivalent) with above-average performance, though exceptionally qualified candidates may enter via a fast-track option with only a Bachelor's degree. Excellent English proficiency is mandatory, as all academic activities and the dissertation are conducted in English. While German is not required, free German courses are available to help with daily life in Hamburg.

Funding is provided through research associate positions or scholarships; self-funded stays are not accepted. There are no tuition fees, but a semester contribution of approximately 343 EUR covers public transport. The university offers comprehensive support for international students, including career advisory services, mentoring, and assistance with accommodation and administrative matters.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with deadlines announced for each position on the CSMC website. Interested candidates should consult current postings and follow the application instructions provided. Those with external scholarships should contact the Graduate School coordinator for guidance.

This programme is ideal for students interested in interdisciplinary research on manuscript cultures, combining historical, linguistic, material, and computational approaches in a vibrant international setting.