About the Cluster of Excellence SCRIPTS

The Cluster of Excellence SCRIPTS (Contestations of the Liberal Script) is an interdisciplinary research consortium that investigates why the liberal script— liberal ideas and institutions for organizing societies —is increasingly contested worldwide and what strengthens the resilience of liberal democracies. Researchers analyze political, social, and economic conflicts that challenge core liberal principles including freedom, equality, pluralism, and democratic participation.

SCRIPTS has been funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) under the German Excellence Strategy of the Federal Government and the Länder since 2019. Hosted by Freie Universität Berlin, the Cluster partners with Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, the Hertie School, the WZB Berlin Social Science Center, the Centre for East European and International Studies (ZOiS), and the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel).

About the Global SCRIPTS Postdoc Position

The postdoctoral project must be carried out in collaboration with one of SCRIPTS’ international partner institutions. The central objective of the Global SCRIPTS Postdoc position is to foster academic exchange between institutions in the Global North and Global South. Applicants who obtained their doctorate at an institution in the Global North are therefore expected to undertake a research stay of up to nine months at a SCRIPTS partner institution in the Global South. Conversely, applicants who obtained their doctorate at an institution in the Global South are expected to undertake a research stay of up to nine months at a SCRIPTS partner institution in the Global North.

In addition, the project is expected to result in at least one collaborative academic output (e.g. a workshop, conference panel, or co-authored article) developed in cooperation with a SCRIPTS Principal Investigator (PI). Additional funding is available to support these joint activities as well as other project-related expenses, such as workshops and research travel.

Applicants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with:

• (A) the SCRIPTS Research Agenda for the second funding period,
• (B) the ongoing SCRIPTS research projects,
• (C) the network of SCRIPTS’ international partner institutions where the planned research stay could take place

The selection process will follow the SCRIPTS Diversity Rules and Guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent research on a topic aligned with the current SCRIPTS research agenda or one of the ongoing SCRIPTS research projects
• Conduct research with the aim of producing a joint academic output (e.g. an event or publication) together with a SCRIPTS PI
• Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and/or other relevant academic publication formats
• Provide academic input for events related to the research field, including presenting research findings in a self-organized format (e.g. a workshop) at SCRIPTS in collaboration with an international partner institution
• Establish, maintain, and participate in academic collaborations through regular attendance at events and colloquia and by presenting the candidate’s own research at SCRIPTS and at the host partner institution
• Undertake a research stay of several months at a SCRIPTS partner institution abroad

Requirements

• Completed university degree (e.g. Master’s degree) and doctorate in a field relevant to the position (e.g. social sciences and/or area studies)

Desired qualifications

• At least one year of work experience in international and interdisciplinary research teams after completion of the doctorate
• At least one year of research experience outside Europe, either during or after the doctorate
• Excellent expertise in the SCRIPTS research field
• A strong research project that clearly connects to the SCRIPTS research agenda or one of the ongoing SCRIPTS projects.
• Excellent command of English (at least C1 level)
• Good command of at least one additional language (at least B2 level)
• Willingness to undertake a research stay abroad lasting several months
• Application documents should include a letter of motivation specifying the PI with whom the applicant wishes to collaborate and the envisaged form of collaboration, a CV, one letter of recommendation, a 2–6-page outline of the proposed postdoctoral project, and copies of relevant degree certificates

For further information, please contact Dr. Brinthanan Puvaneswaran (international@scripts-berlin.eu / +49 30 838 71064).

Application

Applications should include the documents listed above and indicate the reference code. Please submit your application electronically as a PDF file (preferably as one document) by email to Prof. Dr. Diana Panke at jobs@scripts-berlin.eu, or by post to:

Freie Universität Berlin
Fachbereich Politik- und Sozialwissenschaften
Otto-Suhr-Institut für Politikwissenschaft
Exzellenzcluster Contestations of the Liberal Script (SCRIPTS)
Frau Prof. Dr. Diana Panke
Schwendenerstraße 8
14195 Berlin (Dahlem)
Deutschland

By submitting an online application, applicants consent to the electronic processing and storage of their personal data.

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