Research Fellow (12x PhD and 17x Postdoc) (m/f/x) for the Cluster of Excellence 'Cross-Cultural Philology'

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

We are looking for you:

Research Fellow (12x PhD and 17x Postdoc) (m/f/x)

in Munich.

About us:

The Cluster of Excellence ‘Cross-Cultural Philology’ at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) uses a cross-cultural approach to examine philological practices and cultural dynamics over a period of five millennia. It will bring to light the richness of philological traditions in their mutual interaction in the Near and Middle East, in East Asia, on the Indian subcontinent, in North, East and West Africa, and in Europe. This comparison will reveal significant similarities and differences, as well as continuities and discontinuities, yielding insights far beyond the current state of the field.

The Cluster of Excellence is structured into five Research Areas. Research Area A – Writing Systems explores the ways in which writing systems are connected to the transmission of knowledge, certain political and socio-cultural factors, administrative practices, trade networks, and the formation of communal identities. Research Area B – Text Layout, Preservation, and Archiving focuses on the materiality and mediality of texts – such as cuneiform tablets, papyri, inscriptions, codices, or printed books – as well as on their layout, paratextual features, and visual elements. Research Area C – Editing Practices analyses editorial traditions in intercultural comparison and develops new methodological approaches, including the use of digital tools. Research Area D – Texts, Commentaries, Canon, and Censorship investigates processes of canon formation and its entanglement with the selection, commentary, translation, and censorship of texts across different cultures. Research Area E – Migration and Translation of Texts examines how texts migrate across time, space, and media, and how they are transformed through translation, adaptation, and retextualisation.

Since digitality is central to our approach to global philology, we expect candidates to be willing to familiarize themselves with methods used in the digital humanities and to apply these methods.

Further information on the Research Areas and all disciplines involved in the project are available on the website of the Cluster of Excellence.

Applications for the Research Areas A to E are open for the projects listed on the website and for four open topic postdoc positions.

Your tasks and responsibilities:

• Independent research with the aim of obtaining a scientific qualification in form of a doctorate or habilitation
• Completion of the accompanying curriculum (compulsory and elective courses)
• Acquisition of philological skills
• Acquisition of IT and DH skills
• Collaboration in a defined research context

Your qualifications:

• Excellent academic qualifications (master’s degree, diploma, teaching qualification) or an excellent doctorate in one of the relevant subject areas
• An independent, structured, and proactive approach to work
• A willingness to work in an interdisciplinary team
• Fluency in German and/or English

Benefits:

We offer doctoral and postdoctoral positions for a fixed term until May 31, 2029. Remuneration is based on TV-L E13 (PhD candidates: 65% and Postdocs: 100%), provided that the relevant requirements are fulfilled.

The Cluster of Excellence offers you the opportunity to work on a doctoral or postdoctoral project and to participate in an innovative research network. Throughout your doctoral or postdoctoral period, you will have the opportunity to acquire additional skills and take advantage of further training opportunities offered by LMU.

LMU offers all employees the following benefits, among others:

• Work-life balance:
  • Option of part-time work
  • Mobile working
  • Flexible working hours
• Training and continuing education program at all career levels

Applications from women are especially welcome.

People with disabilities who are equally as qualified as other applicants will receive preferential treatment.

Contact:

Please upload your application including an informative cover letter, a short CV (max. two pages), a proposal for a dissertation or research project, a representative excerpt from your most recent thesis (4.500-5.400 words), a report on your thesis, and copies of your certificates uploaded via our application tool by no later than October 21, 2025.

For questions please contact: Laura Noll, phone: +49 89 2180-9897, calls-ccphil@lrz.uni-muenchen.de

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