Doctoral Researcher In The Erc Project "Racial Socialism"

Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) is one of the largest universities in Germany. Thanks to its location in the Rhine-Main science region, the university can unfold to its full potential and showcase its innovative power and dynamism. Its status as a comprehensive university allows for multidisciplinary learning and teaching and has great potential for internationally renowned, interdisciplinary research. Almost all of its institutes are located on a single campus close to the Mainz city center – creating a lively academic culture for researchers, teaching staff, and students from every continent.

Your tasks:

• participation in the scientific research project “Racial Socialism”

• development of a doctoral research project under the theoretical framework of “Racial Socialism”

• conducting independent empirical research on the Red Cross of the German Democratic Republic, or on the Red Cross of Yugoslavia (1945-1990), including archival research, oral histories, coding

• participation in team activities and group analysis

• publishing research results in project publications as well as independently

• participation in project-related conference activities

• other project-related tasks set by the doctoral supervisor

Your profile:

Required:

• A successfully completed university degree (MA) in ethnology, anthropology, folklore or a related discipline
• at least B2 knowledge of German (GDR case study) or Serbo-Croatian, depending on the case study
fluent English (C2)

Desired:

• knowledge of the anthropology of value, and/or historical anthropology of socialism
• knowledge of Albanian, Macedonian, and/or Slovenian (for the SFRY case study)
• previous experience with archival and/or field research
peer-reviewed academic publications

In addition to the general requirements according to public services law, applicants must meet the recruitment requirements stipulated in § 57 of the Hochschulgesetz of Rhineland-Palatinate.

The position is paid according to EG 13 TV-L and to be filled by 11/1/2026 . The position is limited to a period of three years, with the possibility of extension.

The position serves the purpose of academic qualification (doctorate).

JGU is diverse and welcomes qualified applications from people with varied backgrounds.

We aim to increase the number of women in the field of research and teaching and therefore encourage female researchers to apply.

People with severe disabilities and people with disabilities who are treated equally in accordance with Section 2 (3) SGB IX will be given preferential consideration if they are suitable.

Are you ready for a new challenge and interested in this varied and responsible position? Then submit your complete application by 6/11/2026 , via the „Apply now“ button.

The application must include:

• CV, including contact details of three referees

• Cover letter (2 pages)

• Research statement outlining familiarity with the anthropology of value and/or historical anthropology of socialism (3 pages).
  

You may only be employed in the civil service of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate if you can guarantee that you will uphold the free democratic basic order as defined in the Basic Law and the Constitution of Rhineland-Palatinate at all times.