Research Associate Contemporary History (Research Associate)

Area: Faculty I - Philosophical Faculty | Workload: Full-time | Duration: temporary | Posting ID: 7115

We are an interdisciplinary and cosmopolitan university with currently around 14,000 students and a range of subjects from the humanities, social sciences, and economics to natural, engineering, and life sciences. With over 2,000 employees, we are one of the largest employers in the region and offer a unique environment for teaching, research, and further education.

We are looking for:

In the Faculty I - Philosophical Faculty, Hist. Seminar/ Contemporary History, we are looking for a research associate at the earliest possible date under the following conditions:

• 100% = 39.83 hours
• Pay group 13 TV-L
• temporary for a duration of 48 months

Your tasks:

• Processing a postdoc project within the framework of the DFG-funded project „Etwas aus sich machen. Ressourcen, soziale Mobilität und Biografie in Selbstformungsprozessen des 19. und 20. Jahrhunderts".
• Preparation and collaboration on publications in relevant specialist journals as well as in the organization and implementation of project-related events.

About the project and the position The project is part of the interdisciplinary DFG research group „Machbarkeiten des Selbst. Mediale Selbstformungsprozesse in diachroner Perspektive", which is based at the Universities of Düsseldorf and Siegen (first term: 2026-2030). The contemporary history sub-project at the Universität Siegen investigates the topic „Etwas aus sich machen. Ressourcen, soziale Mobilität und Biografie in Selbstformungsprozessen des 19. und 20. Jahrhunderts". The current working title of the postdoc project is: „Horizonte des Möglichen. Der Topos der Chance, Lebensgestaltung und -erzählung von den 1860er-1960er Jahren". Initial ideas for your own thematic focuses can also be outlined in the application documents.

Your profile:

• At least a very good doctorate in the field of contemporary history, modern and recent history, social and economic history, or comparable historical subjects
• A thematic focus on German history in its transnational contexts (19th/20th century)
• Demonstrable experience and interests in the field of gender studies and/or working with self-testimonies are desirable
• Initial experience in organizing events is desired
• Experience in the independent research of source materials
• Ability to work in a team, communicative and organizational skills
• Independent way of working
• Good English skills
• Interest in interdisciplinary, international research and networking

Our offer:

• Support for your own scientific or artistic qualification according to the Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz (e.g., Habilitation)
• Collaboration in a field of activity with great potential for design
• An agile environment that promotes your enjoyment of the numerous challenges of innovative educational work
• The opportunity to make a visible contribution to a modern understanding of leadership, cooperation, and an exemplary diversity culture
• Numerous offers such as flexible working hours, company pension scheme, Dual Career Service, coaching/mentoring, and an extensive personnel development program

We look forward to receiving your application (motivation letter, CV, certificates, if applicable expert reports on the doctorate, if applicable considerations on the topic) by 01.09.2026. Please apply exclusively via our job portal (https://jobs.uni-siegen.de). Unfortunately, we cannot consider applications in paper form or by e-mail.

Your contact person:

Frau Prof. Dr. Reinhild Kreis 0271 / 740 3263 reinhild.kreis@uni-siegen.de

Equal opportunities and diversity are promoted and lived at the Universität Siegen. The advertisement is explicitly addressed to people of all genders (m/f/d); applications from women will be given special consideration in accordance with the Landesgleichstellungsgesetz. Likewise, we welcome applications from persons of the most diverse personal, social, and cultural backgrounds, people with severe disabilities, and those equivalent to them.

Home office: Extent: By arrangement