Call for Applications
6 doctoral positions – Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz

The interdisciplinary Research Training Group 1876 “Early Concepts of Man and Nature: Universal, Local, Borrowed” established by the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft) at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz invites applications for 6 doctoral positions (wissenschaftliche/r Mitarbeiter/in, 13 TV-L 65%) starting on October 1^st, 2016. Initial appointment will be for two years. Subject to continued funding by the German Research Foundation, a further appointment for one more year will be made.

The Research Training Group is directed by scholars from the fields of Egyptology, Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Near Eastern Archaeology, Classical Archaeology, Classics, Byzantine Studies, Medieval German Studies, and Medical History.

In the Research Training Group’s research programme, the object is to record concepts of man and nature in the Near Eastern, Northeast African and European area in the period from ca. 3200 BC until the Middle Ages – starting out from textual, pictorial and material sources – by means of examples and to study them in a culturally immanent as well as transcultural respect. In order to align the spectrum of potential fields of topics in a targeted manner four main focal points of research have been defined:

(1) The origin of the World and the primordial elements;
(2) Natural phenomena, the forces of nature, and natural catastrophes;
(3) Flora, fauna, and landscape;
(4) The conceptualization of the human body, of disease and healing.

Topics for PhD theses must be chosen from one of these four areas and belong to one of the academic the disciplines mentioned above.

We are looking for:

(c)     PhD projects that will connect with and complement dissertation projects within the Research Training Group and
(d)     individual dissertation projects for one of the four areas.

For detailed information regarding our programme for research and training and the academic staff involved with our graduate school, please refer to our homepage (http://www.grk-konzepte-mensch-natur.uni-mainz.de/).

 Requirements for appointment:
–          a diploma or master’s degree (or equivalent) with excellent results in one of the disciplines mentioned above and fulfill the necessary requirements for studying for a doctoral degree in either Fachbereich (Faculty) 05 or 07 of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz

We provide:
–          a PhD programme with clearly defined steps and instruction
–          ample opportunities for intensive professional and interdisciplinary exchange
–          close supervision by two professors of different academic disciplines of the Research Training Group’s core faculty
–          a mentoring programme with cooperating partners in Germany and abroad
–          traineeships within cooperating institutes
–          additional funding for staying for up to four weeks abroad at a research institute cooperating with our programme as well as for attending conferences inside and outside Germany
–          classes helping you to acquire key qualifications (e.g. time-management or academic writing courses)
–          a modern and pleasant working environment
–          optional six months’ funding for a new research project once you have completed your PhD

We expect:
–          prepare a doctoral thesis within our research programme
–          scientific training within a structured dissertation programme
–          continuous participation in the study programme
–          cooperate with other PhD students and scholars from neighbouring fields and discipline
–          presence at the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
–          after the three year funding period: doctorate at the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz

The following documents must be provided:
–          application form (available on thewebsitefor download)
–          a letter of motivation
–          a curriculum vitae
–          a complete transcript of academic records, including the last school report obtained before entering university (Abitur or equivalent)
–          a résumé of the graduate thesis you submitted (3 pages)
–          your graduate thesis in a pdf–file
–          an exposé for a PhD thesis in one of the areas of the Research Training Group, summarizing the idea, outlining research questions and state of the art, approach and methods to be used, work and time schedule (4 pages)
–          two letters of reference from members of academic staff allowing us to judge your abilities (to be sent before the closing date directly to the spokesperson)
–          if available: a list of attended conferences and publications

Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz is keen to increase the number of women among its scholars and thus encourages women to apply. Disabled persons will be given preference if equally qualified. Further details regarding the application process and the selection of candidates are given on the homepage of our graduate school. You may also contact a member of the Research Training Group’s staff in your discipline if you have a specific question. For organizational questions you may contact the coordination office.

Please submit your complete application in electronic form (pdf) only no later than May 1^st, 2016 to the Research Training Group spokesperson Univ.-Prof. Dr. Tanja Pommerening (grk1876@uni-mainz.de).