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

Job description:
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 approaches, we explicitly encourage students of area studies, gender studies, history, 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. 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.

Requirements:

• Master’s degree, qualifying for PhD studies in the social sciences, history, economics, law,
  or area studies

Desirable:

• English skills at the C1 level (please see https://www.scripts-berlin.eu/birt/bgts/bgts-application/index.html for the specific requirements)
• Knowledge of various theoretical and methodological approaches in the relevant 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):

• CV including the most relevant academic experiences and certifications of at least Bachelor’s and Master’s degree qualifying for PhD studies in the relevant disciplines;
• proof of C1-level English language skills or the equivalent (please refer to the BGTS
  website for the accepted proofs of language proficiency: https://www.scripts-berlin.eu/birt/bgts/bgts-application/index.html);
• letter of motivation (600 words maximum);
• research proposal (5000 words maximum) with a timeline for your project;
• two academic letters of reference

Please check https://www.scripts-berlin.eu/birt/bgts/index.html for the exact specifications on the required documents, current updates on the application process and the link to the official application platform for the 2025/2026 intake.

Applications must 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. Roberta Astolfi (birt@scripts-berlin.eu / +49 30838 61697).

Applications should be sent by e-mail, together with significant documents, indicating the reference code, no later than January 15th , 2025 in PDF format (preferably as one document) to Prof. Dr. Diana Panke: 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. Diana Panke
Schwendenerstr. 8
14195 Berlin (Dahlem)

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Freie Universität Berlin is an equal opportunity employer.