0,65 PhD position/Research Associate: »Jewish Literary Legacies of Colonialism after Decolonization«

»Ambivalent Pasts: On Jewish Colonial Experiences« is a joint research project of the Leibniz Institute for Jewish History and Culture – Simon Dubnow (DI) in Leipzig, the Leibniz Institute for European History (IEG) in Mainz and the Centre Marc Bloch in Berlin. Through four individual studies, this project aims to gain a more nuanced understanding of Jewish entanglements with colonial rule, with anti-colonial struggles and with decolonization. Moving beyond the simplistic dichotomies prevalent in public discourse, it emphasizes the ambivalent Jewish position between inclusion and exclusion, indigenous and foreigner, colonizer and colonized. By focusing on the Mediterranean region during the turbulent decades of the mid-20th century, it seeks to explore overlooked experiences across diverse contexts beyond Palestine/Israel. It is expected to be funded under the Leibniz Cooperative Excellence program beginning in January 2026. 

Within the project’s framework, the DI is seeking to fill the following position as soon as possible:

PhD Position/Research Associate 
65% full-time equivalent (26 hours per week)

The position entails the writing of a PhD thesis at DI (enrollment at Leipzig University) in the broader context of »Jewish literary legacies of colonialism after Decolonization«. 

The study is envisioned to delve into the post-colonial writings of Jewish authors who grappled with their experiences of colonialism and decolonization. How was colonialism remembered and processed in literary form? How did its legacies serve to formulate critiques or political programs? What intellectual or literary proposals emerged out of the Jewish experience of colonialism? To explore these questions, a possible focus could be for example on the Egyptian Jewish author Jacqueline Kahanoff (1917–1979) or on contemporaries with comparable life trajectories. The investigation will combine literary, historical and biographical approaches to interpret their works. 

Tasks:

• Researching and writing a PhD thesis on the topic described above.

• Participating regularly in the DI’s activities, including in its internal colloquia and annual conferences.

• Participating in the broader project’s activities, including in the organization of its planned workshops and conference. 

Requirements:

• University degree (master’s, Staatsexamen or equivalent) with very good results in a relevant field (e.g. history, literature, Jewish studies, Middle Eastern studies), qualifying the applicant to enroll for a doctorate at Leipzig University.

• Fluency in English, German desirable.

• Knowledge of languages relevant for the project (e.g. French, Hebrew, Arabic).

• Basic command of office software.

• High motivation to work both independently and as part of a team.

We offer:

• Contingent on relevant qualifications, a position remunerated according to pay grade 13 TV-L with an additional corporate pension scheme (VBL).

• Work contract of 65% full-time equivalent (26 hours per week) for a period of 3 years, flexible working hours.

• An exciting work environment in an international and interdisciplinary setting.

• Flexible working hours within the requirements of the field of work (flexitime) and offers to help balance work and private life.

• Funding for research trips.

• Opportunity to publish the dissertation in the Dubnow Institute’s publication program.

We value diversity and therefore welcome all qualified applications regardless of gender, nationality or ethnic and social origin. Applications from people with severe disabilities will be given preference, contingent on equal suitability and competence. We support the compatibility of family and professional life through a flexible working model.

Please send your application – including a letter of motivation, a CV, a brief outline of your envisaged project (max. 2 pages), and copies of any relevant certificates – by 12 December 2025, either electronically to bewerbung(at)dubnow.de or by post to:

Leibniz-Institut für jüdische Geschichte und Kultur – Simon Dubnow
Prof. Dr. Jan Gerber
Goldschmidtstraße 28
04103 Leipzig

Applications should consist of a single PDF file. Applications via email are not encrypted and may therefore entail data protection concerns. The applicant takes full responsibility for this.

Regarding any organizational questions, please contact Mandy Fitzpatrick, Tel. 0341- 21735-54, fitzpatrick(at)dubnow.de

If you have any questions relating to the project, please contact Prof. Dr. Jan Gerber, Tel. 0341-21735-60, gerber(at)dubnow.de

Personal data you share in the application procedure will be processed by the DI. The DI will use this data only for the purposes of the application procedure. Data is not shared with third parties. The DI will not cover costs of an interview.