Between the Times PhD positions

Tallinn University is offering two full-time and fully funded doctoral student positions to conduct research in Intellectual History/Cultural History/Political Philosophy.

The position is available within the 5-year European Research Council funded (ERC Starting Grant) project “BETWEEN THE TIMES – Embattled Temporalities and Political Imagination in Inter-war Europe”, led by Dr. Liisi Keedus.

The project explores 1) conceptions of time and historicity in inter-war Europe, comparatively and interdisciplinarily, including how these translated into methodological innovation and social discourses; and 2) the possibilities of thinking and speaking politically beyond the narrative of progress. Further details on the project.

Tallinn University is a young, vibrant public university located in Tallinn, a charming city with a medieval Old Town on the Baltic coast, offering a safe and high quality of life at an affordable cost of living.

The 2 PhD students will join a team of 3 post-doctoral researchers and several senior researchers, including the project leader at the interdisciplinary and international School of Humanities. They will enroll in an interdisciplinary doctoral programme in Cultural Studies (with specialization in either philosophy, cultural theory, literature, among others) and will collaborate with social and political studies research centres at the University. The project funding allows for international research trips and conference attendance and the students are given support for publishing in international peer-reviewed journals. They are expected to conduct their own research on a topic closely related to or on a case study of the project, write and publish academic papers and their doctoral dissertation, as well as, being given an opportunity to teach and engage in public outreach activities.

The expected start date is September 1, 2018 and the maximum duration of the contract is 4 years. The positions include full social security coverage and a net salary of approximately 1200€ per month. The PhD students are expected to live and work in Tallinn.

Requirements

  • Master's Degree, or equivalent, in Intellectual History, Cultural Studies, Philosophy, Literature, Political Science, Linguistics, History or related fields. 
  • Excellent level of spoken and written English (knowledge of Estonian is not required). An additional language (at least B2.2 in French, Russian, Czech or Romanian) most relevant for their individual project is recommended.
  • Previous research on interwar Europe, on the case studies of the project, or on the history of Humanities and Social Sciences is a strong advantage (information to be included in CV).

Please submit the following documents:

  • one or two-page CV
  • research proposal of 2500 words. The proposal must be written in English and must be no longer than 2500 words ( not including footnotes, references and bibliography). It should outline the research that you wish to pursue in your PhD dissertation and connect it to the “Between the Times” project. It should demonstrate knowledge of the state of the art in the field, formulate a research question and include a description of methodology and a short bibliography. When drafting your research proposal please indicate also the ways in which your research would intersect with the project and contribute to it, as well as how your past research activities have prepared you for a position within the ERC project team.
  • degree transcript(s) issued by your university listing the exams/courses taken at university, grades/marks awarded and (if applicable) the final degree result. You should also attach your degree transcript(s) from previous degree(s). 

After review of applications, shortlisted candidates may be asked for additional information and will be invited for an interview.

Full application information including deadlines is available at the university homepage.

Further information regarding application procedure:

Maris Peters
E-mail: maris.peters@tlu.ee