Leibniz Institute for Jewish History and Culture – Simon Dubnow (DI), Leipzig

The Leibniz Institute for Jewish History and Culture – Simon Dubnow is seeking to fill the following position by 1 May 2026:

Research Associate "Ignaz Goldziher Program for Jewish-Muslim Studies”

100% full time equivalent (40 hours per week)

The Leibniz Institute for Jewish History and Culture – Simon Dubnow (DI) is dedicated to interdisciplinary research across multiple eras of Jewish life worlds in Central and Eastern Europe, from the Middle Ages through to the present. This research adopts a pan-European perspective and includes areas of Jewish emigration, especially Israel as well as North and Latin America. It covers this topic in university courses and presents its research findings in various forms to an academic and generally interested public. The DI works closely with Leipzig University and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. It also maintains cooperative relationships with numerous academic institutions in Israel, the USA, Europe and Germany and is a place of exchange for academics from all over the world.

The "Ignaz Goldziher Program for Jewish-Muslim Studies,” which is funded by the Hans Böckler Foundation and is based at the DI, offers scholars from Islamic contexts an opportunity to spend twelve months at the institute to work on or complete a research project on the mutual experiences of Jews and Muslims in modernity and related questions of reform, confessionalization, secularization, and pluralism, or to develop a new project in this field and, with the help of the institute, to develop it to a level suitable for funding applications. The DI offers a vibrant, inspiring, and interdisciplinary scholarly environment, the space to develop independent ideas, and manifold opportunities to discuss and develop one’s project with experts in the field.

The position, contingent on relevant qualifications, will be remunerated according to pay grade 13 TV-L. It will be limited to a period of 1 year. Full-time preferred; part-time possible. The position will be based in Leipzig.

We invite scholars to apply who hold PhDs or are in the final stages of a doctoral program in a field especially relevant to the DI, including modern and contemporary history, Eastern European history, Islamic studies, Oriental studies, Judaism and/or Jewish studies, and cultural studies. Proficiency in English is preferred, as is a very good knowledge of foreign languages pertinent to the area of research. Knowledge of written and spoken German would be advantageous. IT skills (Office) are a prerequisite.

The DI offers an interesting and varied job in an international environment, good opportunities to combine career and family, flexible working hours in line with the requirements of the work area (flexitime), a job in a central location in Leipzig¸ remuneration and social benefits in accordance with the collective agreement for the public service of the federal states (TV-L) as well as an additional company pension scheme (VBL).

We value diversity and therefore welcome all qualified applications - regardless of gender, nationality or ethnic and social origin. Applications from people with severe disabilities will be given preference, contingent on equal suitability and competence.

Please send your application, including a letter of motivation, a CV, an outline of your project (max. 2 pages), a sample of an essay relevant to the area of research (about 20 pages), degrees, as well as copies of any relevant certificates and evaluations, by 2 March 2026 electronically to bewerbung(at)dubnow.de

Leibniz-Institut für jüdische Geschichte und Kultur – Simon Dubnow

Director

04103 Leipzig

Applications should consist of a single PDF file. Applications via email are not encrypted and may therefore entail data protection concerns. The applicant takes full responsibility for this.

Regarding any organizational questions, please contact: Mandy Fitzpatrick, Tel. 0341- 21735-54, fitzpatrick(at)dubnow.de

If you have any questions relating to the program, please contact: Prof. Dr. Jan Gerber, Tel. 0341-21735-60, gerber(at)dubnow.de

Personal data you share in the application procedure will be processed by the DI. The DI will use this data only for the purposes of the application procedure. Data is not shared with third parties. The DI will not cover costs of an interview.