Research assistant (praedoc) (m/f/d)

The doctoral candidate will work on a project about the history of institutional responses to sexual harassment and discrimination within the Berlin universities. Tasks for this project will include conducting research at a variety of archives in Berlin, carrying out oral history interviews, performing literature reviews, and co-authoring publications resulting from the study. The doctoral candidate will work with the PI and other team members to establish which aspects of this project are solo-authored exclusively by the doctoral candidate (ie for their doctoral thesis) and which aspects are collaborative and/or the responsibility of other team members.

Completed academic university degree (Master´s or Diploma) in history, gender studies, or a related discipline.

Desirable:

• Experience conducting both archival research and oral history interviews in German and English, with emphasis on extensive long-form interview experience.
• Strong writing background with a focus on public history and/or accessible scholarly approaches.
• Familiarity with archival holdings on histories of gender and/or diversity in Berlin and the broader region.
• Familiarity with the history of the feminist movements in divided and post-unification Berlin and broader Germany.
• Academic background in Intersectional gender studies with experience engaging with ongoing theoretical debates on race, class, and gender from a global perspective.
• Functional knowledge of the German university system.
• Strong understanding of institutional power structures, both practically and theoretically.
• The ability to work autonomously, structure time, and meet long-term deadlines while collaborating with the junior research group leader and colleagues.
• A willingness to work with the team and existing research but also bring individual ideas and experiences to the project
• Advanced proficiency in both English and German (writing, reading, speaking, and listening).

For further information, please contact Dr. Sarah Bellows-Blakely (sarah.bellow-blakely@fu-berlin.de).

Please send the following materials to Dr. Sarah Bellows-Blakely sarah.bellow-blakely@fu-berlin.de:

1. A cover letter
2. A CV
3. A one-page description of the research project detailing which aspects of the history of institutional responses to sexual harassment and discrimination within the Berlin universities the applicant intends to explore in their doctoral thesis.
4. A writing sample of any length.
5. The names and contact information for two people who could be contacted references.

Applications should be sent by e-mail, together with above mentioned significant documents, indicating the reference code, no later than May 12th, 2025 in PDF format (preferably as one document) to Dr. Sarah Bellows-Blakely: sarah.bellows-blakely@fu-berlin.de or postal to

Freie Universität Berlin
Zentraleinrichtung Margherita-von-Brentano-Zentrum für Geschlechterforschung
BUA-Nachwuchsgruppe "Fixing the System"
Dr. Sarah Bellows-Blakely
Habelschwerdter Allee 45
14195 Berlin (Dahlem)

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Freie Universität Berlin is an equal opportunity employer.