Two Ukraine Fellowships at University of Basel

The initiative Ukrainian Research in Switzerland (URIS) is calling for applications for one URIS fellowship for the 2019 autumn semester at the University of Basel (Switzerland). The internationally oriented fellowship programme is open to postdoctoral and senior scholars in the humanities, cultural studies and social sciences whose research has the potential to make a substantial contribution to a better
understanding of the history, society, politics and culture of Ukraine.

The URIS fellowship enables the recipient to spend six months researching at the University of Basel (August 2019–January 2020) and will be awarded on the basis of excellence criteria. The initiative is looking for an internationally recognised researcher who is prepared to be involved in the network of Swiss Ukraine research and to offer a Ukraine-related course at the University of Basel during his/her stay in Switzerland. The recipient is obliged to reside in Basel for the duration of the fellowship. The awarding of the fellowship will be decided by an academic advisory board.

The University of Basel is a dynamic centre for research on Eastern Europe with strong international networks. Switzerland's first interdisciplinary BA programme "East Europe Studies" was inaugurated here in 2005. The field of East Europe studies at the University of Basel is organised by the Slavic Seminar and the Department of East European History. It also has close ties with art history, the social
sciences, law and economics, and Jewish Studies.

The initiative Ukrainian Research in Switzerland (URIS) receives funding from the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SBFI). URIS's objectives are to make a long-term contribution to furthering Ukraine expertise in Switzerland, to foster the next generation of scholars, and to contribute to the international networks of Switzerland-based university research on Ukraine. To this end, the initiative announces URIS fellowships, supports a database and website on Swiss Ukraine research, and organises regular academic network events.

Application requirements

• University degree and excellent PhD in the humanities, cultural studies or social sciences. The application is open to both younger and experienced scholars.
• Ongoing research project that has the potential to make a substantial contribution to a better understanding of the history, society, politics and culture of Ukraine
• Excellent English or German language skills (in addition to knowledge of Ukrainian and Russian)
• Experience in university teaching and willingness to conduct a one-semester course (1.5 hrs per week) at the University of Basel in the 2019 autumn semester (to be held in English or German)
• Willingness to organise a URIS workshop and to participate in other network activities
• The application is open to scholars of any nationality or citizenship. Researchers from Ukraine and its neighbouring countries are explicitly encouraged to apply. In case of equal qualification, applications from women will be given preferential consideration.

Offer and conditions

The URIS fellowship entails a monthly allowance of CHF 4000. In addition, costs will be reimbursed for visa fees, accident and health insurance coverage in Switzerland, for one round trip to and from Basel from the country of origin, and for a subscription entitling the holder to half-price travel on the Swiss Federal Railways.

The visiting scholar will be given a work station at the University of Basel with electronic infrastructure, access to libraries, etc.

The visiting scholar will receive administrative support from the URIS coordination office.

Application documents

• Completed application form with summary information
• Statement of purpose with information on field of research and teaching experience
• Curriculum vitae incl. list of publications
• Copies of university degree and PhD certificates
• Proof of English or German language skills
• Outline of current research project (not exceeding 3 pages)
• Concept (not exceeding 2 pages) for a one-semester course (1.5 hrs per week), i.e. approx. 12 teaching units. The course will be integrated into the interdisciplinary BA curriculum "East Europe Studies" at the University of Basel and should be accessible to students from different subjects and levels.
• Two pertinent letters of reference (at least one from the holder of a university professorship).

These are to be sent separately – not together with the application – by the referees directly by e-mail to uris@unibas.ch by 26 November 2018.

Please address your application to:

URIS – Ukrainian Research in Switzerland
Prof. Dr. Frithjof Benjamin Schenk
University of Basel, Department of History
Hirschgässlein 21
CH-4051 Basel

Please send your application documents in English or German in electronic form in a single document (pdf format) by e-mail to uris@unibas.ch by 26 November 2018.

Contact for any queries

Sophia Polek, MA
URIS Academic Coordinator
University of Basel
Department of History
uris@unibas.ch
www.uris.ch