'NoJoke' Postdoctoral Research fellow at the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University

The Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Frankfurt am Main is one of the largest universities in Germany with around 48,000 students and with about 5,000 employees. Founded in 1914 by Frankfurt citizens and since 2008 once again proud of its foundation status Goethe University possesses a high degree of autonomy, modernity and professional diversity. As a comprehensive university, the Goethe University offers a total of 16 faculties on five campuses and more than 100 degree programs along with an outstanding research reputation.

The Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology at Goethe University Frankfurt offers the following three positions:

• one Research fellow (m/f/d) (postdoc) (E13 TV-G-U, full-time)
• and two Research fellows (m/f/d) (predoc) (E13 TV-G-U, 65% part-time)

The three positions are available from January 1st, 2023 until the end of project funding by December 31, 2027. The salary grade is based on the job characteristics of the collective agreement (TV-G-U) applicable to Goethe University. The three positions offer fixed-term contracts in association with the research project “Humour as an epistemic practice of the political present (NoJoke)”, which is funded by an ERC Starting Grant to Professor Mirco Göpfert. If preferred, a later starting date of employment is negotiable.

Required Qualifications

• applicants for the predoc vacancy are required to have an excellent completed academic university degree, applicants for the postdoc vacancy are required to have an excellent completed PhD in social and cultural anthropology or closely related fields
• applicants are expected to demonstrate experience with participant observation, dedicated research interest and experience in the study of humour (or other forms of artistic expression and modes of inquiry)
• experience or eagerness to engage in the creative (also experimental) integration of artistic modes of inquiry into their own research
• when applying for the postdoc position, prior exposure to international research environments and relevant publications in peer-reviewed journals will be considered an advantage
• very good command of English (working language in the project), other languages would be preferred

The project group is interested in applicants capable of developing and conducting subprojects on satire in postcolonial dis/entanglements (position 1), on satirical parties (position 2) or on comedic journalism (position 3). Proposals for alternative subprojects related to NoJoke’s aims are also welcome. For a more detailed description of the project and its methodology, please visit the preliminary project website: https://tinygu.de/NoJoke. The three successful candidates will have an opportunity to develop their subprojects, conduct ethnographic field research, prepare publications, attend and participate in seminars, workshops, conferences, and festivals.

The new team around Mirco Göpfert offers a dynamic, creative and internationally oriented space for research and teaching. Your engagement and initiative in the activities of the working group, as well as your willingness to bring in own ideas to participate in shaping it, will be highly appreciated.

The Goethe University is committed to a policy of providing equal employment opportunities for both men and women alike, and therefore encourages particularly women to apply for the position/s offered. Individuals with severe disability will be prioritized in case of equal qualification.

Please submit your electronic application (including your full contact details, a cover letter, a description of your research experience and interests including a three page outline of the sub-project you are planning to develop and conduct within NoJoke, your current academic CV, and copies of relevant certificates) in a single pdf file to Sandra Hüfner (huefner@em.uni-frankfurt.de) by 15 November 2022.

Further information on the advertised position are accessible on the project website or may be obtained by contacting Mirco Göpfert (goepfert@gm.uni-frankfurt.de) directly. Please be aware that existing regulations do not permit the university to reimburse applicants for travel or other expenses incurred during the hiring process.