W. Michael Blumenthal Postdoc at the Jewish Museum Berlin

The Jewish Museum Berlin numbers among the foremost European museums since its opening in 2001. The museum’s exhibitions, collections, events and educational programs mark it as the major institution for the presentation of and reflection on the history and culture of Jews in Germany. The Academy of the museum was founded in 2012 and is dedicated to current social and political issues. The primary thematic focus of the Academy’s program is devoted to “Migration and Diversity” and a “Jewish-Islamic Forum.”

The Jewish Museum Berlin – a foundation regulated by public law – is accepting applications for a W. Michael Blumenthal Postdoc (m/f) from October 1, 2016.

The postdoctoral fellowship program is aimed at candidates who will have completed their doctorate or an equivalent academic qualification by the time the scholarship begins and who are planning further academic research.

The candidate’s subject area should fall within the framework of the “Jewish-Islamic Forum”, which includes the history of Jews in the Arab-Muslim world, Sephardic history and culture, debates and dialogs on the historical and current situation in the Middle East and on current relations between Jews and Muslims both within and outside Israel, as well as questions addressing comparative religion from a Jewish perspective.

The scholarship will initially be granted for the period of one year, with the possibility of a maximal extension for one further year. The scholarship will be awarded in accordance with the “Richtlinie für die Vergabe von Stipendien für Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftler durch die Stiftung Jüdisches Museum Berlin” (Directive for the granting of academic scholarships by the Jewish Museum Berlin Foundation) from February 19, 2016.

The scholarship holder will receive a basic monthly stipend of 1900 Euros plus a research expense allowance of 300 Euros per month. The directive stipulates that supplements for family and children shall be provided where appropriate. A legal claim to the scholarship only exists when the Foundation and the scholarship recipient have entered into a contractual agreement.

Scholarships may not be granted to applicants who are receiving or have received public funds or are sponsored by institutions subsidized by public funds for the same purpose.

Requirements

• Doctorate with a minimum overall evaluation of magna cum laude or an equivalent academic qualification with a similar evaluation, completed by the beginning of the scholarship period and dating back no more than two years
• Cover letter (maximum 2 pages) explaining the motivation for the project and how this proposed project can offer an important contribution to the W. Michael Blumenthal Academy of the Jewish Museum Berlin
• Synopsis (maximum 5 pages) of the proposed research project with a corresponding time schedule
• Supporting documents (doctoral certificate, college degree, references where applicable, résumé, and a list of academic publications etc.)