"Doctoral Researcher Position in “History of Knowledge of the Medieval World”"

The Cluster of Excellence ROOTS (Social, Environmental, and Cultural Connectivity in Past Societies) at Kiel University in Germany explores the deep history of tightly intertwined social and environmental processes, in order to explain their long-term developments and to understand how they resonate into the present (https://www.uni-kiel.de/en/cluster-roots). ROOTS combines expertise from a wide array of disciplines ranging from archaeology to other natural sciences, life sciences, and humanities, creating a unique bridge between different scientific cultures.

The ROOTS experts are organized into six subclusters (Hazards, Dietary, Knowledge, Urban, Inequalities, Conflict), three supportive research platforms (Technical Platform, Data Management and Data Science Platform, Outreach and Dissemination Platform), as well as diverse central units (ROOTS Academy, Reflective Turn Forum, Methods Nucleus) to collectively pursue a research agenda targeting key parameters of socio-environmental connectivity related to (1) human subsistence and biodiversity; (2) inequality and conflict; (3) technology and environmental impact; (4) boundaries and well-being.

ROOTS will be housed in the ARCWorlds research building, which is currently being established at Kiel University, in a few years’ time. It will offer high-end infrastructure to realize innovative interdisciplinary research.

For its 2nd phase, ROOTS is offering a Doctoral Researcher Position in “History of Knowledge of the Medieval World” (Subproject B7) starting 1st July 2026.

Profile: History, Economics, Philology

The PhD candidate will develop a project to analyse knowledge transfer in medieval accounts. The underlying concept is the dynamic nature of knowledge. The project will pursue the spread and implementation beyond linear transmissions and uncover fragile repositories and processes of complex retrievals. The candidate is open to contribute to the four overarching questions (1)–(4). The aim of the project is an independent contribution to the field of knowledge studies within the Roots cluster.

Required qualification: Eligible candidates must hold an outstanding MA in History and have experience in conducting archive studies with manuscripts.

This position (subproject B7) is part of a joint call for 9 doctoral and 5 postdoctoral positions within the Cluster of Excellence ROOTS.

The application deadline for all positions is December 15, 2025.

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