Giessen University's International Graduate Centre for the Study of Culture (GCSC), funded by the German federal government's Excellence Initiative, offers a three-year structured PhD-programme in the study of culture. With its excellent research environment, a doctoral programme which is tailored to the needs of PhD students and the intensive personal support it provides, the Graduate Centre offers doctoral researchers optimum conditions for their PhD-projects and a custom-made preparation for the time thereafter, both with regard to academic and non-academic careers.

The GCSC invites applications for up to 13 posts for doctoral researchers as

Research Team Members
(subject to funding available; otherwise: PhD scholarships)

Positions are available from October 1st (resp. Nov 1st) 2012. Appointees fulfilling the requirements outlined in the Hessian Collective Labour Agreement will be remunerated according to pay grade 13 TV-H (part-time; 65%).

The positions are subject to approval of resources applied for in the second funding period of the German Federal Excellence Initiative; alternatively, the GCSC will award PhD scholarships. Please indicate in your online application whether you would also be interested in taking up a scholarship. Positions (resp. scholarships) are tenable for one year and can be renewed for up to three years. The GCSC supports young researchers with families; appointees with children under the age of twelve are eligible for renewals of up to four years.

Appointees are expected to

• research a dissertation project that contributes to the GCSC's research profile
• contribute to one of the GCSC's research areas*: initiate, coordinate and document collaborative research projects, such as conferences or publications
• participate in the GCSC's curriculum

The GCSC offers a research-intensive environment and comprehensive multi-tier supervision at all stages of a dissertation project through e.g. interdisciplinary research colloquia or professional support in preparing academic papers and conferences. The GCSC Teaching Centre offers systematic qualification in HE teaching; opportunities to teach at the BA level are available.

Doctoral researchers must register as PhD students at Justus Liebig University. There are no tuition fees for doctoral students at JLU, except for an enrolment fee of approximately € 200 per semester. Appointees are expected to take up residency in or near Giessen.

Eligibility
We invite applications contributing to the study of culture in various historical contexts as well as those analysing contemporary phenomena. The GCSC encourages applications from graduate students who have or expect to obtain a first or upper second class honours M.A.- degree (or equivalent) in one of the GCSC's academic subjects* or in arts/humanities, cultural studies, or social sciences. Fluency in either English or German is required.

Application Procedure and Deadline
Justus Liebig University Giessen strives to achieve a gender balance in research. For this reason, qualified female researchers are encouraged to apply. Justus Liebig University Giessen is a family-friendly university. Candidates with children are invited to apply. Eligible disabled candidates will be favoured.

Applications close March 1st 2012. All applications (including an application form and further documents as stated on the GCSC-website) have to be submitted online. Please find all information on the two-tier application procedure on our website at http://gcsc.uni-giessen.de/application.

If you have any questions concerning your application, please contact us at gcsc- application@uni-giessen.de. On 16th January 2012, the GCSC hosts an Information Day at the Graduate Centre for the Study of Culture (GCSC), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Alter Steinbacher Weg 38, 35394 Giessen. The Information Day provides potential applicants with the opportunity to meet faculty, staff and students involved in the doctoral programme. You will also have the chance to get to know the research areas and academic objectives of the GCSC, the wide range of interdisciplinary courses, colloquia, and conferences hosted at the GCSC, the research support on offer, our international networks and partner institutions, as well as publishing and funding opportunities available to GCSC members. To register for the Information Day, please visit our website.

*) see http://gcsc.uni-giessen.de or http://gcsc.uni-giessen.de/research