International researchers are invited to apply as well as scholars of German nationality if they provideexcellent international contacts and work experience. We are inviting research fellows with a completed PhD and several years of post-doctoral research expertise. The fellowship can be offered to applicants in all disciplines represented in the current KWI research agenda.

The KWI (Kulturwissenschaftliches Institut) in Essen provides fellows with modern infrastructure, office space, technical support, and offers a library service, event and research management as well as support in all administrative and communicative regards. Thyssen@Fellows will receive a fellowship contract (not a full-employment contract) and a monthly allowance of 4.000 € (pre-tax) meant to cover rent, insurances and living expenses. Travel expenses for arrival at the KWI and for departure after the fellowship can be partially reimbursed.

The KWI: The Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities (KWI) in Essen is an interdisciplinary research institute for the humanities and social sciences in the tradition of institutes for advanced study. Located in the Ruhr Area, the KWI offers a space for independent and innovative research in the humanities andvarious opportunities to engage and include the public. Currently, research at the KWI focusses on the following areas: literary and cultural sociology, cultural science studies, science communication and public humanities. Further projects are concerned with cultures of communication and political participation. It is one of the main goals of the KWI to find new ways of linking research questions, concepts, methods and theories of philology, cultural studies and the social sciences. We are dedicated to pursuing our interdisciplinary agenda through international collaboration. An important contribution to our scholarly and political work comes from the Academy in Exile, offering research space to colleagues whose academic freedom is threatened.

Expectations:

  • The fellowship should be dedicated to research linked to the programmatic agenda of the KWI. Various project formats are possible: You might devote your time in Essen to finishing a book or a special issue, to finalizing a research proposal or setting up a research group. We also welcome plans to establish or substantiate collaborations with the universities of the Ruhr Alliance.
  • We expect the fellow to be present at least 4 days a week.
  • The Thyssen@KWI Fellow is invited to actively take part in academic events at the KWIand will have the opportunity to design outstanding discussion formats with prominent researchers. 
  • The Thyssen@KWI Fellow is not expected to teach, but always welcome to participate in lecture series and seminars at surrounding universities.
  • Publications deriving from the time of residence should mention the KWI.
  • German is not required, very good proficiency in English is expected.

Academic landscape: Located at the KWI, fellows will have the opportunity to liaise with researchers in a rich and diversified academic landscape: The University Alliance Ruhr(UA Ruhr), the umbrella structure of the KWI, strategically links the universities of Duisburg-Essen, Bochum, and Dortmund. Nearby, the universities of Duesseldorf, Cologne, Muenster and Bielefeld as well as the renowned Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen offer further possibilities for collaboration and exchange. The close proximity of Belgium and the Netherlands to North Rhine-Westphalia has engendered cross-border programmes and initiatives from which fellows might profit. For details on 14 collaborative research centres and 13 graduate training groups within the UA Ruhr see here: www.uaruhr.de/index.html.en.

The Rhine-Ruhr Area: The city of Essen issituated right in the middle of the Ruhr Area, next to the Rhineland and Cologne, where the Thyssen Foundation is headquartered. With more than five million inhabitants and an area of about 4,435 square kilometres, the Ruhr Area is one of the largest metropolitan areas in Germany and the fifth largest in Europe. The region's cultural appeal and diverse urban landscape were recognised by the European Union in 2010 when Ruhr Metropolitan Area, spearheaded by Essen, was granted the honour of being the “European Capital of Culture”. After the transformation of traditional industries, it was an important concern to make the Ruhr Area greener again. By now, this characteristic region in the West of Germany has developed into a cultural hub with manifold outdoor possibilities. The Rhinelandcan be easily reached, and the Netherlands and Belgium offer day-trip destinations.

Application:

  • We kindly ask you to apply in the form of one single PDF-file (max. 20 MB) which must be submitted electronically to [email protected] the subject line: “Thyssen@KWI-Fellowship”. Please note that, due to IT safety regulations, we cannot accept applications via links to external platforms.
  • The application must be formulated in English and must contain a CV, a list of publications and a proposal sketching your KWI project (up to max. 5.000 characters). 
  • The application deadline is February 26th, 2021, 24:00 h (CET). Incomplete or late submitted applications cannot be considered.
  • The fellow will be selected by a committee assembling members of the Thyssen Foundation, the KWI governing board and the institute’s director, Prof. Griem.
  • Further information about the application process can be foundin the FAQs: https://kulturwissenschaften.de/en/kwi-international-fellowships/faqs/