"Postdoctoral Researcher in History of Culture and Technology (f/m/d)"

Postdoctoral Researcher in History of Culture and Technology (f/m/d)

The KWI – Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities in Essen at University Duisburg-Essen (UDE) is looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher in History of Culture and Technology (f/m/d) (100% TV-L E13, fixed term until 9/2030, starts as soon as possible).

Start of employment: as soon as possible
Duration of employment: 2030-08-31
Working time: 39 h 50 min. (100%) (part time is possible)
Application deadline: 2025-11-17
Reference number: 522-25

The Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities (KWI) in Essen is an interdisciplinary research institute for the humanities and social sciences.

Our project: The ERC Synergy project “The Cultures of the Cryosphere. Infrastructures, Politics and Futures of Artificial Cooling” (CultCryo) investigates the historical preconditions and consequences of the use of artificial cold.

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher (f/m/d) with expertise in modern and/or contemporary history of technology to study the historical dynamics and spatial features of the planetary cryosphere.

Your main tasks:

• Individual and collaborative research and publication work within the ERC project with a focus on the historical, cultural and spatial dynamics of artificial cooling
• Co-developing and co-editing a digital atlas of cooling technologies and practices
• Undertaking (international) research trips for archive and research visits
• Academic event organization and communication
• Contributing to project administration, archiving and management of research data

Your profile:

• A completed PhD degree in history, media studies, STS or other relevant disciplines
• Experience conducting interdisciplinary research on how technology shapes and is shaped by cultural practices
• Demonstrable interest in digital cartography
• Very good English skills (C1 or higher)
• The workplace is the KWI in Essen (Germany)
• Willingness to closely cooperate with international research teams

We offer you:

• A varied, multifaceted area of responsibility in a lively research-intensive environment
• Independent and collaborative research with a dynamic team
• Flexible arrangements for working hours and the possibility of partially working remotely
• Family friendly work environment
• A wide range of training and development opportunities

Application: Your application should include a cover letter (2–3 pages), CV, a writing sample, and relevant certificates. Send it no later than the 17th of November 2025 via e-mail to applications@cryocultures.org with the reference number 522-25. For questions, contact Dr. Stefan Höhne at stefan.hoehne@kwi-nrw.de.