Maren Röger

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] .

The Leibniz Institute for the History and Culture of Eastern Europe (GWZO) is advertising a full-time postdoctoral researcher position in Prague for the department Knowledge and Participation , starting 1 February 2027. The post is based in Prague, with regular travel to Leipzig for central institute events. The appointment is initially fixed term for four years, with the possibility of becoming permanent subject to satisfactory performance and available funding. The department, headed by Dr Michal Frankl, investigates relationships between academic and non-academic knowledge production in East Central Europe. Its current thematic areas are Marginalised Knowledge and Digital Participation , with particular interest in citizen science, knowledge from the margins, archival hierarchies and exclusions, oral histories, refugee and migrant knowledge, collaborative platforms such as Wikipedia, digital memory projects, and the impact of artificial intelligence on knowledge production, especially in small languages and non-academic participatory contexts. The successful candidate will conduct independent historical, cultural-studies, or literary-studies research aligned with this spectrum and aim to publish at an international standard in peer-reviewed journals and with respected publishers, typically with a view to a second book or habilitation. The role also includes participation in citizen science projects, collaboration across disciplines within the department and the wider GWZO, organising lectures and conferences, helping prepare external funding applications, and contributing to the department’s further development and public-facing communication formats. Applicants should hold an above-average doctorate in a relevant humanities or cultural-studies field and have a strong publication record. Experience in securing external funding and scholarly communication is desirable, and digital humanities experience is an advantage. Very good English, very good command of at least one language of the region under study, and either good German or a willingness to acquire it within three years are required. The position offers a creative, collaborative environment, family-friendly working conditions, flexible hours, 30 days’ annual leave, and a competitive salary within the Czech academic system. To apply, submit a complete application in German or English by 22 November 2026, including a cover letter, CV, list of publications, a 2–3-page project outline, and two published works. Quote reference number 26_11_P and send the application to the Director of the GWZO in Leipzig or by email to [email protected]. Further information can be obtained from Dr Michal Frankl at [email protected].