Postdoctoral Researcher (m/f/d) Leibniz Institute for the History and Culture of Eastern Europe in Germany

The Leibniz Institute for the History and Culture of Eastern Europe (GWZO) in Leipzig is recruiting a Postdoctoral Researcher (m/f/d) for the subproject “Revalorisation and Reconstruction” within the collaborative research project “Cities. Building. Culture – The Residential Heritage of the Soviet Union in Times of Multiple Crises”. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and is carried out in cooperation with Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and RWTH Aachen.

The successful candidate will join a highly interdisciplinary research environment focused on comparative research into historical and cultural developments in Eastern Europe, with particular attention to the region between the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea, and the Adriatic. The position is based at GWZO in Leipzig and runs on a fixed-term basis until 30 September 2027, subject to funding approval.

Research tasks include investigating Soviet residential heritage in Ukraine, studying reconstruction after wartime destruction from a comparative perspective, and developing concepts for the safeguarding of historical building stock within resilient and sustainable urban development. The role also involves close cooperation with international partners, especially in Ukraine, contribution to scientific events, and interdisciplinary collaboration with scholars in the GWZO junior research group “Contrasting East Central Europe” and department 2 “Culture and Imagination”.

Applicants should hold a doctorate or be close to submission in architecture (especially architectural history), art history, history, urban planning, or a related field. Excellent English is required, along with other language skills relevant to the topic. The post also expects willingness to contribute to teaching in an international cooperation context and to engage in interdisciplinary collaboration.

The position is graded at salary group 13 TV-L at 75% employment. The advert indicates that appointment is contingent on BMBF funding approval. GWZO highlights a creative and motivating working environment, flat hierarchies, a lively social culture, openness and trust, mobile working options, and a city-centre workplace in Leipzig.

To apply, candidates should send a CV, certificates, and a letter of motivation, quoting reference number 24_08_A2, by 30 September 2024. Applications may be sent by email to [email protected] or by post to the GWZO Director at Reichsstr. 4-6, 04109 Leipzig. Questions about the application can be directed to Prof. Dr Arnold Bartetzky at [email protected].