Andreas Tietze Memorial Fellowship in Turkish Studies

Andreas Tietze (1914 - 2003) was a world-renowned Austrian Turcologist born and educated in Vienna. He started his career at Istanbul University, where he had taken refuge from the Hitler regime from 1938 to 1958, and at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he was emeritus professor of Turkish at the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures from 1958 to 1971. After decades in Turkey and the United States, he finally returned to the University of Vienna in 1973 as a professor of Theology. He served as a faculty member at the Department of Near Eastern Studies until his retirement in 1984. Tietze was one of the most outstanding scholars who passed through the halls of the Department. He published an astonishing number of books and articles on topics ranging from lexicology and etymology to history and folk dancing. In addition, he received numerous awards for his substantial contribution to Turkish studies.

The Department of Near Eastern Studies of the University of Vienna has established the Andreas Tietze Memorial Fellowship in Turkish Studies to commemorate the life and work of this iconic twentieth-century Turcologist. The fellowship offers a unique opportunity for promising scholars to contribute to the legacy of Andreas Tietze and ensure that his name will always be associated with outstanding research conducted at the Department of Near Eastern Studies of the University of Vienna.

The annual Andreas Tietze Memorial Fellowship 2026 is open to advanced doctoral candidates and postdoctoral/early-stage researchers working on a specific topic in Turkish Studies. We particularly welcome projects that require a research stay in Vienna and/or complement and expand the current research focus of the Department — namely environmental history, history of technology, digital humanities, consumption history, history of tourism, and cultural heritage — but the Fellowship is not limited to these areas. We also welcome applications from candidates who seek to work on external grant proposals (e.g., European Research Council, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, or Austrian Science Fund).

The Fellow will be provided with a workplace equipped with internet access and full use of the University Library for the duration of the research project. In addition, the Fellow will receive a monthly scholarship of €1,500 (for both doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers) to cover living expenses in Vienna. Unfortunately, the Department of Near Eastern Studies is not able to reimburse travel costs to and from Vienna from the Fellow’s country of residence.

The duration of the Fellowship is between one and three months. The Fellow is expected to commence the Fellowship on 1 March 2026, 1 May 2026, 1 September 2026, or 1 November 2026. During the Fellowship period, the Fellow is expected to reside in Vienna, participate actively in the Department’s academic life, and present his/her research project — for example, in the form of a public lecture, a discussion session, participation in a seminar, or a similar event. The Fellow will be part of an international and vibrant academic community at the University of Vienna and will benefit from the rich scholarly resources available in Vienna, including the Austrian National Library and the Habsburg Archives, while preparing his/her research proposal.

Eligibility Requirements

• advanced doctoral candidate (ABD status) or postdoctoral/early-stage researcher who received his/her PhD degree not more than five years ago
• high level of proficiency in English; German knowledge is an advantage
• an original research project

Application documents (to be submitted in a single PDF file)

• cover letter explaining where the applicant plans to submit a research fund application and how his/her project fits the department’s research interests, mission and goals (no more than 2 pages)
• CV with details about previous academic achievements and publications (no more than 2 pages)
• project outline, describing the research project, including methodology and sources (3 to 5 pages)
• name and contact information of two individuals who can serve as references (no recommendation letter needed)

Applicants may write their applications in English or German. We recommend using the language in which you are most proficient. Please ensure that your application is a single PDF file and send it via e-mail to Univ.-Prof. Dr. Yavuz Köse (yavuz.koese@univie.ac.at) by the deadline of 15 December 2025.

Applicants will be notified about the outcome approximately one month after the deadline. For questions about the application procedure or the fellowship program in general, please contact Univ.-Prof. Dr. Yavuz Köse (yavuz.koese@univie.ac.at).