2 Positions Research assistant (praedoc) (m/f/d) of BGTS

The PhD students are expected to conduct independent research and to write a doctoral thesis. The successful candidates will be supervised by a senior scholar at the BGTS, depending on the research focus of their proposal. Applicants should also familiarise themselves with the research interests of BGTS faculty members and indicate one or several potential supervisors in their application. The three-year English language doctoral programme at the BGTS provides state-of-the-art theory classes, solid training in research methods and research design, soft skills courses, and individual supervision. The programme focuses on contemporary contestations of the liberal script from historical, global, and comparative perspectives with a particular interest in global and transregional processes. Apart from social science and historical approaches, we explicitly encourage students of area studies, gender studies, philosophy, and education studies to submit their proposals. Research at the BGTS focuses on the structures, risks, and opportunities of cross-regional interaction at various levels and we particularly welcome critical perspectives. PhD researchers with excellent university degrees should be
knowledgeable regarding the various theoretical and methodological approaches in the disciplines relevant to the cluster. They should be open to interdisciplinary collaboration. We also expect excellent command of English in writing and speaking.

Completed scientific degree University degree in one of the above-mentioned subject areas

Desirable:

• Knowledge of various theoretical and methodological approaches in the disciplines
• A research project relevant to SCRIPTS, presented in a project proposal to be included with the application
• Openness to interdisciplinary collaboration

Required Documents (in German or English):

• Bachelor’s and Master’s degree, qualifying for PhD studies in the social sciences, history, economics, law, or area studies;
• proof of C1-level English language skills or the equivalent (please see specifications for the accepted proof of language proficeincy;
• most recent CV;
• letter of motivation (600 words maximum);
• research proposal (5,000 words maximum) with a timeline for your project;
• two academic letters of reference

Please check https://www.scripts-berlin.eu/birt/bgts/bgts-application/index.html for the exact specifications on the required documents, current updates on the application process as well as the link to the official application platform for the 2025/2026 intake. Applications should be uploaded via the BGTS application portal at: https://www.scripts-berlin.eu/birt/bgts/bgts-application/index.html The application deadline is announced and updated on the BGTS website.

For further information, please contact Dr. Matthias Hahn (birt@scripts-berlin.eu / 03083853735).

Applications should be sent by e-mail, together with significant documents, indicating the reference code, no later than January 31st, 2025 in PDF format (preferably as one document) to Prof. Dr. Thomas Risse: birt@scripts-berlin.eu or postal to

Freie Universität Berlin
Fachbereich Politik- und Sozialwissenschaften
Otto-Suhr-Institut für Politikwissenschaft
Exzellenzcluster "Contestations of the Liberal Script (SCRIPTS)"
Prof. Dr. Thomas Risse
Boltzmannstr. 20
14195 Berlin (Dahlem)

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Freie Universität Berlin is an equal opportunity employer.