Research Associate/Doctoral Candidate (m/f/d, pay grade E 13 TV-L, 75%) 

DFG Emmy Noether Junior Research Group "The Japanese Alpine Empire"

Application deadline: May 15, 2025

The Department of Japanese Studies at the University of Tübingen invites applications for the position of a 

Research Associate/Doctoral Candidate (m/f/d; pay grade E 13 TV-L, 75%)

The position will start on September 1, 2025, for a fixed term of initially 2 years, with the possibility of a 2-year extension in the case of a positive mid-evaluation of the project by the DFG. 

The doctoral position is part of the Emmy Noether Junior Research Group "The Japanese Alpine Empire: A Transnational Environmental History of Japan's 'Alpine' Landscapes," led by Junior Professor Dr. Fynn Holm. The successful candidate will work on an independent dissertation project focusing on mountains in postwar Japan, approached from a historical or anthropological perspective. An example dissertation topic, “The Japanese Alpine Ski Nation (1945-2020),” is detailed on the project website (https://uni-tuebingen.de/fakultaeten/philosophische-fakultaet/fachbereiche/asien-orient-wissenschaften/japanologie/forschung/the-japanese-alpine-empire/subprojects/#c2023197). Further information about the Emmy Noether Junior Research Group and its sub-projects can be found here: https://uni-tuebingen.de/de/264663. The dissertation project should be designed to fit within the four-year timeframe. As part of the dissertation, the candidate is expected to conduct a six-month fieldwork stay in Japan (partly funded by the project). In addition to conducting research, the successful candidate will participate in regular group meetings, assist in organizing workshops and conferences, and contribute to the group’s public relations works. 

Requirements:

- A master’s degree completed with high distinction in East Asian Studies, History, Anthropology, or Cultural Studies with a focus on East Asia 

- Excellent proficiency in English and Japanese

- A willingness to learn German

Equal Opportunity:

Applicants with disabilities will be given preference if equally qualified. The University of Tübingen is committed to promoting equal opportunities and diversity. The university aims to increase the proportion of women in research and teaching. Qualified female scholars are therefore strongly encouraged to apply.

Application Documents:

Applicants are required to submit the following documents:

• Motivation letter

• Curriculum Vitae 

• Certificates and transcripts of undergraduate and master’s degrees

• Project description (approx. 2 pages, written in English): Outline your proposed dissertation topic, research questions, methodologies, and possible sources. Ensure the project scope is realistic for the four-year duration.

• A writing sample (e.g. master’s thesis)

Please submit your application documents as a single PDF file via email by May 15, 2025, directly to the project leader Jun.-Prof. Dr. Fynn Holm at fynn.holmspam prevention@uni-tuebingen.de, who is also available for inquiries regarding the position.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a Zoom interview following the initial review of applications.

The appointment will be made by the Central Administration of the University of Tübingen.