Research Associate for the Project “Cluster of Excellence Understanding Written Artefacts” (Cen[...]

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’

Start date: 01.01.2026, fixed until 30.06.2029 (This is a fixed-term contract in accordance with Section 2 of the academic fixed-term labor contract act [Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz, WissZeitVG]).

Scope of work: Part-time

Weekly hours: 75% of standard work hours per week

The Cluster of Excellence ‘Understanding Written Artefacts’ (UWA) seeks to recruit doctoral researchers to pursue their research projects. UWA offers an exciting environment for researching handwritten artefacts across materials, periods, and regions within a collaborative team of doctoral, postdoctoral, and senior/professorial researchers. You will join an international team spanning over forty disciplines in the Humanities, Natural Sciences, and Computer Science. The Centre for the Study of Manuscript Cultures is one of the largest of its kind worldwide, providing a dynamic research environment.

Your responsibilities

Responsibilities include academic services related to the project. Research associates may also pursue independent research and academic qualifications.

Your main task is to develop and carry out your research project aligned with UWA’s comparative research profile. You will contribute to the interdisciplinary Graduate School and collaborative activities, participate in research meetings, organize scholarly events, and develop networks.

Your profile

• A university degree in a relevant field.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken.
• Excellent degree (Master's or equivalent) and ability to work in a team.
• Research projects focusing on written artefacts are preferred, especially from Asia, Africa, and the Americas. A strong interest in the materiality of written artefacts and interdisciplinary collaboration across Humanities, Natural Sciences, and Computer Science is desirable.
• Applicants from all relevant fields are welcome.
• Application requires a project proposal in English (max. 5 pages plus bibliography), including a summary, literature review, project description, and a 3.5-year schedule. The project should align with UWA’s research profile.
• It is recommended to name a preferred supervisor from UWA in the cover letter. PhD candidates with ongoing projects are eligible to apply, with the first supervisor from UWA.

We offer

• Competitive remuneration based on wage agreements
• Continuing education and professional development opportunities
• University pensions
• Work-life balance initiatives
• Health management programs, EGYM Wellpass
• Educational leave
• 30 days of vacation annually

Additional support includes enrollment in the Graduate School, research funding, and workshops for skill development and career planning.

The University of Hamburg, a University of Excellence, is committed to diversity and inclusion. Applications from all backgrounds are encouraged. Severely disabled applicants will be given preference if equally qualified.

Applications should be submitted via the online form by 22.06.2025, 11:59 PM CEST.