Postdoctoral Researcher in History at UD Essen

About Position/Job

The University of Duisburg-Essen is inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher in History of Culture and Technology at the Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities (KWI), Essen. This role is part of the ERC Synergy project “The Cultures of the Cryosphere. Infrastructures, Politics and Futures of Artificial Cooling” (CultCryo), which investigates the historical, cultural, and spatial dynamics of artificial cold since the Cold War. Supervised by Dr Stefan Höhne, the position offers a fixed-term contract until August 2030, with opportunities to work on comparative and archival research, digital mapping, and interdisciplinary collaboration with global partners. This project is academically significant for its unique planetary perspective on cooling technologies, contributing to a digital atlas of artificial cold while engaging with history, technology, and culture on an international scale.

Position/Job Details

Position: Postdoctoral Researcher in History of Culture and Technology
Institution: University of Duisburg-Essen
Department: Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities (KWI)
Research field: History of Culture and Technology
Location: Essen, Germany
Number of posts: 1
Job Type: Full-time, Postdoctoral (fixed-term)
Start Date (Anticipated): As soon as possible
Working Hours: 39 h 50 min/week (100%)
Salary Range: TV-L E13 (full-time)
Required Degree/Diploma: PhD

Research area

Modern and contemporary history of technology
History of artificial cooling (food, medicine, IT infrastructures, air conditioning)
Spatial and cultural dynamics of technology
Comparative research and archival analysis
Digital cartography and collaborative mapping

Eligibility & Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

Completed PhD in history, media studies, STS, or related fields (PhD thesis must be submitted by the deadline)
Strong background in interdisciplinary research on technology and culture
Proven skills in comparative and archival research
Excellent English (C1 or higher)

Preferred Qualifications:

Interest in digital cartography and mapping methods
Knowledge of German and/or Spanish (or willingness to learn)
Experience in international, interdisciplinary collaboration

Key Responsibilities

Conduct individual and collaborative research on the historical, cultural, and spatial aspects of artificial cooling
Develop and co-edit a digital atlas of cooling technologies and practices
Undertake international archival research trips
Organise academic events and contribute to public engagement
Support project administration, research data archiving, and scientific dissemination

Application Process

How to Apply:

Submit applications via email to applications@cryocultures.org with all documents compiled into a single PDF. Mention reference number 522-25 in the subject line.

Required Documents: