Freie Universität Berlin invites applications for a Research Associate position in Ancient History within its Department of History and Cultural Studies. The position is based at the Friedrich Meinecke Institute and forms part of the research project Discursivity of Elitist Identities of the Principate: Digital Access to Public Communication in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The project explores how urban elites in the Levant maintained their local standing and worked with Roman authorities during the early Roman period. It uses digital methods to compare rhetorical and inscriptional evidence from three cities.
This is a full-time, fixed-term position for 18 months. The successful candidate will support research, database development and publications, as well as help prepare a third-party funding application.
The role also includes teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students in Ancient History and taking part in the institute’s research, teaching and administrative activities.
Applicants must hold a university degree and a PhD in Ancient History or a related field. The institute prefers candidates with relevant project experience, strong German and English skills, and knowledge of additional languages used in epigraphic research.
Position Details
- Position: Research Associate (Academic Staff) in Ancient History
- Official Reference Number: WiMi-AG-Discursivity
- Institution: Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
- Department: Department of History and Cultural Studies, Friedrich Meinecke Institute
- Research Discipline(s): Ancient History, Roman History, Epigraphy, Digital Historical Research
- Location: Berlin-Dahlem, Germany
- Job Type: Research Position
- Salary: Pay Grade 13 (TV-L FU)
- Contract Duration: 18 months (fixed-term)
- Working Hours: Full-time
- Required Qualification: PhD in Ancient History
Research Areas
The research project focuses on the following areas:
- Ancient History
- Roman imperial history and early Roman hegemony
- Urban elites and elite identities in the Levant
- Public communication in the Eastern Mediterranean
- Communication strategies of urban elites
- Rhetorical and epigraphic evidence
- Digital methods in historical research
- Relations between local elites and Roman authorities
Eligibility and Qualifications
Applicants must hold a university degree and a doctorate in Ancient History or a comparable field.
The following qualifications and experience are desirable:
- Experience in designing and carrying out externally funded research projects.
- Subject knowledge or experience relevant to the project’s research themes.
- Very good German and English language skills.
- Sufficient knowledge of Italian or French to work with epigraphic literature.
- Latin and Ancient Greek language skills at the Latinum and Graecum levels.
- Information technology skills.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will undertake the following tasks:
- Conduct research and contribute to database development and maintenance.
- Contribute to academic publications.
- Help prepare a third-party funding application.
- Teach Ancient History courses in the institute’s bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes.
- Participate in departmental research, teaching-related activities and administration.
- Contribute to academic activities at the Friedrich Meinecke Institute.
Important Dates
- Advertisement publication date: 4 October 2026
- Application deadline: 26 October 2026
Application Process
Applicants should submit their applications by email or post to Prof. Dr Gerda Heydemann at Freie Universität Berlin.
For details of the required documents, application procedure and submission instructions, please consult the official vacancy page.
The university will not return application documents. Applicants should submit copies rather than original documents.
Read the official advertisement for the complete application instructions before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications are required for this position?
Applicants must hold a university degree and a doctorate in Ancient History or a comparable field of study.
Which language skills are desirable?
Candidates should have very good German and English skills. Knowledge of Italian or French for epigraphic research, as well as Latin and Ancient Greek at the Latinum and Graecum levels, is also desirable.
What research experience is preferred?
The university values experience with externally funded research projects and subject knowledge relevant to the project’s research themes.
Will the university reimburse interview travel expenses?
No. The university does not reimburse travel costs for interviews.
Where can applicants find the full application instructions?
Applicants should consult the official vacancy notice for details of the application procedure and required documents.
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