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

About us:
In the summer of 2026, the research group “Energy Entanglements: Actors, Spaces and Narratives in Eastern Europe” will commence its work at the Institute for Eastern European Studies at Freie Universität Berlin. This DFG-funded group brings together researchers from Freie Universität, Humboldt University, the Centre Marc Bloch and the Leibniz Centre for Literary and Cultural Research. The research centres on three questions: Firstly, we examine spatial arrangements: how do the extraction and circulation of energy and the (re)configuration of resource spaces interrelate? Secondly, the focus is on actors: within which formal and informal network structures do human and non-human actors shape energy environments? Thirdly, we are concerned with competing narratives: which notions, topoi and concepts shape energy discourses? To address these complex issues, the interdisciplinary group connects researchers from literary and cultural studies, political science, history, sociology and economics, working in close collaboration.

Job description:
The sub-project “Communicating Pipes” investigates how pipelines, as large technical infrastructure for transporting resources, simultaneously function as media and fulfil symbolic purposes. To explore this multifunctionality, the sub-project undertakes a discourse-historical and media-theoretical analysis of the political rhetoric and artistic reflection surrounding major pipeline projects from the 1970s (“Soyuz”) through the 1980s (“Urengoy-Uzhgorod”) to the 21st century (“Nord Stream”). Comparative perspectives on other pipeline projects (including “Druzhba”) will be taken into view. The predoc hired for this research project will complete a doctoral thesis on the project’s topic. In cooperation with the project leader, the predoc will also contribute to an anthology of materials on the pipeline issue and actively participate in the academic events of the sub-project and the entire research group.

Requirements:

• A completed academic degree (MA, diploma…) in Eastern European Studies, Slavic Studies, General and Comparative Literature, Media Theory, Cultural Studies or a related subject

Desirable:

• excellent language skills (C1) in English and German
• excellent language skills (C1) in Ukrainian or Russian- basic language skills (B1) in Belarusian, Czech, or Polish are beneficial
• basic knowledge of German or a willingness to learn the language within the first year

Please submit, together with your application documents (cover letter, CV, certificates), a brief project outline (approx. 2 pages) in which you explain how you intend to address the project’s research topic within the framework of a doctoral project. If you have any questions regarding the project topic, please contact the project supervisor (Prof. Dr Susanne Strätling). Applications, together with relevant supporting documents and quoting the reference number, should be submitted electronically as a single PDF document via email to Prof. Dr Susanne Strätling: kultur@oei.fu-berlin.de Applications, accompanied by relevant supporting documents and quoting the reference number, should be submitted electronically no later than June 8th, 2026 in PDF format (preferably as a single document) by email to Prof. Dr Susanne Strätling: kultur@oei.fu-berlin.de
or postal to

Freie Universität Berlin
Zentralinstitut Osteuropa-Institut
Arbeitsbereich "Kultur"
Frau Prof. Dr. Susanne Strätling
Garystr. 55
14195 Berlin (Dahlem)

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Freie Universität Berlin is an equal opportunity employer.