Postdoc: Water in Central Asia [Deadline June 20th]

Junior Research Group: Cultural History of Water in Central Asia. A research fellowship is available at Tübingen University from September 2015 to examine the cultural history of water in Central Asia. As an inter-disciplinary research group, we set out to trace people’s changing attitudes to water in this landlocked region. The junior research group is led by Dr. Jeanne Féaux de la Croix and associated with the Collaborative Research Center (CRC 1070) ‘ResourceCultures: Socio-cultural dynamics in the use of resources’. The group also works closely with a new Volkswagen Foundation project on the social and environmental history of the Naryn and Syr Darya.Our Offer: As a member of the Excellence Initiative, the University of Tübingen is one of Germany’s top-level research universities, with a broad spectrum of subjects based on a long tradition. The position is available for 18 months, with a possible six month extension. Research fellows will receive a stipend of min. 1365€/month and a family allowance, where applicable. Funds for start-up IT equipment, generous travel and research expenses are available. Research Fellows will benefit from a variety of career development, training and teaching opportunities at the university. You will find a welcoming and highly motivated international team at a family-friendly university.

Your Profile: Applicants should have an excellent academic record and hold a PhD in history, archaeology, anthropology or a closely-related discipline. Applicants should clearly link their proposed project to the overall theme. The proposed project may include a wide range of materials, including archaeological, historical and ethnographic evidence to examine changingperceptions and uses of water. Projects going beyond the study of irrigation are particularly encouraged. You will be expected to make an active contribution to interdisciplinary team work. You will be supported in initiating academic events and publications. We require excellent knowledge of English and willingness to learn German. Demonstrating knowledge of the region, fieldwork or archival experience and relevant language skills are desirable.Application: Applicants should submit a research proposal (approximately five pages), a three-page summary of the PhD thesis, a CV, sample publications and two letters of recommendation as pdfs. The proposal should give details of your research question, review relevant literature and discuss your methodological approach and work plan. All documents should be submitted electronically to Dr. Mokhira Suyarkulova (mokhira.suyarkulova@ucentralasia.org) by 20th June 2015. Informal enquiries are welcome.The University of Tübingen strives to raise the number of women employed in research and teaching: we explicitly encourage suitably qualified female applicants. Applications from disabled candidates with equal qualifications will be treated with special consideration.

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Additional Salary Information: This is a non-taxable stipend with family allowance, where applicable.