PhD Positions in Cultural Studies – JGU Mainz

About the Program

Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU), one of Germany’s largest and most dynamic universities, invites applications for 10 fully funded PhD positions in Cultural Studies. These positions are offered within the Research Training Group (RTG) 3064 “Techniques of Witnessing: Testimony as Media and Cultural Practice”, starting April 2026. This interdisciplinary program explores how techniques of witnessing are evolving in contemporary media cultures, from online witness videos to postcolonial archives and artistic testimonies. Doctoral candidates will conduct research across Ethnology, Film Studies, Cultural Anthropology, Art History, Media Cultural Studies, and Theatre Studies, benefiting from mentoring, international networking, teaching experience, and opportunities to develop globally relevant expertise in media, culture, and testimony studies.

Program Details

Position: Fully Funded PhD Position / Doctoral Researcher
Institution: Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU)
Department/Faculty: Research Training Group 3064
Supervisor: Assigned RTG member (mandatory initial supervision)
Location: Mainz, Germany
Start Date (Anticipated): 1 April 2026
Duration: 4 years (until 31 March 2030)
Funding: Remuneration according to EG 13 TV-L, plus benefits including annual special payment, pension scheme, flexible working hours, and home office options
Working Hours: 75% of full-time
Required Degree/Diploma: Master’s (M.A.) or equivalent in participating subjects

Research Focus/Area

Techniques of witnessing in contemporary media and cultural contexts
Human-apparatus relations and technological-cultural interactions
Interdisciplinary approaches in Ethnology, Film Studies, Cultural Anthropology, Art History, Media Cultural Studies, and Theatre Studies
Historical and cross-cultural analysis of testimony practices
Comparative research integrating non-human and environmental perspectives

Eligibility & Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

Completed university degree (M.A. or equivalent) in one of the participating subjects
Very good command of English; knowledge of German or other languages if required for the project
Interdisciplinary interest and theoretical abstraction skills
Compliance with civil service and Rhineland-Palatinate Higher Education Act requirements

Preferred Qualifications:

Research experience in media, culture, or related fields
Interest in global, intercultural, and interdisciplinary perspectives
Motivation for teaching and collaborative research

Key Features of the Program

Structured research and qualification program with professional freedom
Mentoring and career development support
International networking with guest scientists and research trips
Opportunities for teaching and participation in RTG governance
Flexible working hours, home office options, and 30 days of vacation
Support for parents and caregivers, campus daycare, and health/sports facilities
Transparent remuneration with additional benefits

Application Process

How to Apply: Applications must be submitted online via the University portal. Interviews will be held from 10–12 December 2025 (in person or online).

Required Documents: