Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU)
The research training group 2806 “Literature and the Public Sphere in Differentiated Contemporary Cultures” at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), funded by the German Research Foundation, is offering
- 12 Doctoral Positions (m/f/d) (65%, E-13 TV-L)
- 1 Postdoc Position (m/f/d) (100%, E-13 TV-L)
for a duration of three and five years respectively, starting 01.10.2022. Extensions for the doctoral positions are possible.
The interdisciplinary research training group analyzes contemporary literatures since 1945 in different public and cultural contexts. It adopts a broad conception of literature, including socio-cultural, political, and economic contexts, (inter-)mediality, institutional conditions, as well as literary life as subjects for enquiry.
The research training group focuses on literatures in various languages (English, German, French, Spanish, Russian), including ‘small literatures’ and minority cultures on different continents. On the basis of comparative and transnational perspectives, the research training group takes praxeological, social, media related, material, ethical, and economic aspects into account.
The research training group explores the cultural specificities, potentials, and functions of these literatures and investigates their conditions of emergence and public resonance. It conceives of literatures (1) as seismographs of often contradictory cultural, media related, and social developments, (2) as generators of a vocabulary to articulate the multilayered experiences of the contemporary moment, (3) as forums for the discussion of concerns relevant to the public.
Drawing on five closely interrelated fields of interest, the research training group examines how fragmenting publics constitute a relevant context for and a prominent concern of these literatures:
VI. Literatures‘ strategies to activate attention
VII. Public contexts of literatures
VIII. Material appearances/materiality of literatures
IX. Literary knowledge production
X. Literary ethics and politics
The disciplines involved are English and American Studies, Book Studies, Digital Humanities, German Studies, Comparative Literature, (Cultural) Sociology, Media Ethics, Media Economics, Media Studies, Eastern European Studies, and Romance Studies.
For more information on the research program, the respective advisors, and contact information, see: https://www.literaturundoeffentlichkeit.phil.fau.de/
If you have any questions, please contact the speakers of the research training group: dirk.niefanger@fau.de and antje.kley@fau.de.
Requirements:
- an excellent academic degree
- an innovative project idea relevant to the program of the research training group
- intercultural competence and an interest in interdisciplinary work
- proficiency in abstract theoretical thinking
- methodological competence
- adequate language skills: B2 German and English, C1 German or English
- first publications, academic talks, or academic administrative experience (e.g. as student assistant) are desirable
- in addition, postdocs should have an outstanding dissertation, scientific experience, and a research project relevant to the program of the research training group
Documents to submit:
- cover letter
- CV
- degree certificates (MA, State Exam, or equivalent degree; dissertation for postdoc)
- research proposal (ca. 8-10 pages)
- writing sample (e.g. Master’s Thesis, dissertation for postdoc)
- certificate(s) of language skills (may be handed in within the first year if necessary)
Please submit your application (English or German) electronically as one single PDF file (plus writing sample in a separate PDF file) to kontakt-grk2806@fau.de by 6th of July 2022.
The Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg strives to increase the number of women in academic research and teaching and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply.
FAU is an equal opportunity employer and gives preference to candidates with disabilities if equally qualified.
