CALL FOR JOBS: Research Associate for the Project “Cluster of Excellence Understanding Written Artefacts” | Universität Hamburg – University of Excellence | Start: 01 January 2026 | Deadline: 22 June 2025
2. Juni 2025
Research Associate for the Project “Cluster of Excellence Understanding Written Artefacts” (Centre for the Study of Manuscript Cultures) § 28 Subsection 3 HmbHG
Institution:Cluster of Excellence „Understanding Written Artefacts“
Salary level: EGR. 13 TV-L
Start date: 01.01.2026, fixed until 31.12.2028 (This is a fixed-term contract in accordance with Section 2 of the academic fixed-term labor contract act [Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz, WissZeitVG]).
Application deadline: 22.06.2025
Scope of work: full-time position suitable for part-time
The Cluster of Excellence ‘Understanding Written Artefacts’ (UWA) is seeking to recruit postdoctoral researchers to pursue an independent research project. UWA offers an exciting opportunity to research handwritten artefacts across materials, periods and regions within a collaborative team of doctoral, postdoctoral and senior/professorial researchers. You will be part of an international team of researchers from across over forty disciplines in the Humanities, the Natural Sciences and Computer Science. The Centre for the Study of Manuscript Cultures is by now the largest research centre of its kind worldwide and offers a uniquely dynamic research environment.
Your responsibilities
Duties include academic services in the project named above. Research associates may also pursue independent research and further academic qualifications.
You will pursue an independent research project that fits the overall comparative research profile of UWA. You will contribute to the cluster’s programme through your active engagement in its collaborative activities. Activities include participation in research meetings, academic publications, organising scholarly events, and maintaining and developing cooperations and relevant networks.
Your profile
A university degree in a relevant field.
Fluent in English, written and spoken.
Doctorate desirable. You have written an excellent PhD thesis and you have demonstrated excellent independent research skills. You enjoy connecting within academia and are able and willing to work in a team. You have either obtained your doctorate or submitted your PhD thesis.
We welcome independent research projects with a clear focus on the study of written artefacts. Projects focussing on artefacts from Asia, Africa and the Americas are particularly encouraged. In general, applicants should have a strong interest in the materiality of written artefacts and in cooperating beyond disciplinary boundaries, that is, across various fields in the Humanities, and/or across the Humanities, Natural Sciences and Computer Science. Applicants from all fields of the Humanities, Natural Sciences and Computer Science are welcome.
You must apply with a project proposal (in English) of max. 5 pages (plus bibliography), including a brief summary, literature review, a detailed project description, a 3-year schedule and a budget plan for additional research expenditure such as field trips and conference participation. The proposed project must fit the overall research profile of UWA and applicants are encouraged to address one or two of UWA’s core objectives in their project proposal. After a positive evaluation in year 3, the successful candidate can apply for a prolongation of the project for another 3 years, or for a new project.
For further information, see the summary and application -> information as well as the UWA general website.
We offer
The successful candidate can benefit from a range of tailored support measures at the cluster, which include,
- additional funding for a range of research activities, including fieldwork
- postdoctoral mentoring programmes
- workshops to support your career planning
- intensive training courses for writing grant applications
- promoting equity and diversity
Universität Hamburg—University of Excellence is one of the strongest research educational institutions in Germany. Our work in research, teaching, educational and knowledge exchange activities is fostering the next generation of responsible global citizens ready to tackle the global challenges facing us. Our guiding principle “Innovating and Cooperating for a Sustainable Future in a digital age” drives collaboration with academic and nonacademic partner institutions in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region and around the world. We would like to invite you to be part of our community to work with us in creating sustainable and digital change for a dynamic and pluralist society.
The University of Hamburg is committed to equity. Diversity enriches our university life, whether in our studies, research, teaching, education, or workplace. We therefore welcome all applications, regardless of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic or social background, age, religion or belief, disability, or chronic illness.
Severely disabled and disabled applicants with the same status will receive preference over equally qualified non-disabled applicants.
Instructions for applying
Contact
Dr. Eva Jungbluth
eva.jungbluth@uni-hamburg.de
Reference number
118
Location
Warburgstraße 26
20354 Hamburg
Zu Google Maps
Application deadline
22.06.2025
Use only the online application form to submit your complete documents until 22.06.2025, 11.59 PM CEST:
- cover letter
- project proposal
- CV
- copies of degree certificate(s)
If you experience technical problems, send an email to bewerbungen@uni-hamburg.de.
More information on data protection in selection procedures.