Bonn University 2020 Fellowship “The Concept of Slavery in African History”

The Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies invites applications for two PhD Positions (Research Associates, 65%)

Candidates will work in the Research Group “The Concept of Slavery in African History”. This Research Group is an integral part of the Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies (BCDSS). The BCDSS was awarded the status of “Cluster of Excellence: Beyond Slavery and Freedom. Asymmetric Dependencies in pre-modern Societies” by the German Research Council. The Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies offers excellent opportunities for interdisciplinary and comparative study of different forms of dependencies from Antiquity to the present, across many regions.

The research group investigates the role of the concept of “slavery” for Sub-Saharan African history and its representation (e.g. the historiography of Africa, portrayals of African history in the media etc.). It is interested in uncovering the complex relationship between concepts and actions, as well as between discourse and socioeconomic realities. The research group asks if and how the meaning of the concept of “slavery” changed or needed to be modified to adapt to a given socio-economic context, but also how the existing conceptual framework guided people’s actions.

Doctoral projects should meet the following three criteria:

1. focus on asymmetrical dependencies/”slavery”
2. relate to Sub-Saharan African history and/or its representation and
3. approach the topic from the perspective of conceptual history in its broadest sense.

Candidates interested in pushing disciplinary boundaries are especially welcome to apply. 

• Table of Content
• About Bonn University
• Bonn University Fellowship
• Aim and Benefits of Bonn University Fellowship
• Requirements for Bonn University Fellowship Qualification
• Documents Required for Application
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About Bonn University

Our Cluster of Excellence at the University of Bonn, "Beyond Slavery and Freedom", aims to overcome the binary opposition of "slavery versus freedom". It is a research cluster within the framework of the Excellence Strategy of the federal and state governments. Our cluster of excellence is a joint project of researchers from sociological and anthropological theory, archaeology, Asian and Islamic Studies, religious studies, as well as, theology and German medieval literature, and history. We propose "asymmetrical dependency" as a new key concept including all forms... continue reading

Bonn University Fellowship

Aim and Benefits of Bonn University Fellowship

• The positions are funded for up to four years (3+1 years) on a salary of 65% of the TV-L-E13 salary level, approximately €30,000 pro-rata per annum before tax.
• The successful candidates will receive a salary and social security benefits. In addition, access to extra funding for archive trips and conferences will be available, as well as institutional support for women and applicants with families. They will participate in the BCDSS’s PhD program which offers both academic and non-academic training units.
• PhD candidates at the University of Bonn are advised to enroll as PhD students at the bi-annual fee of about €300. This fee covers free regional public transport within the state of North Rhine-Westphalia as well as student discounts at museums, cinemas, and other benefits.

Requirements for Bonn University Fellowship Qualification

• Applicants are required to have completed a university degree (Master, Magister or Staatsexamen) in history, African Studies, cultural studies/Kulturwissenschaft or in a similar area of study relevant for the research group.
• We welcome applications from all over the world. English is the working language within the Research Group The Concept of Slavery in African History and within the BCDSS.

The English of the applicant must therefore be on an equivalent level of: ?

• ETS TOEFL certificate (minimum score of 600 for the paper-based test, 250 for the computer-based test, and 100 for the online test); ?
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English, CPE (any grade); ?
• Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English, CAE (grade A or B); ?
• IELTS test (level 7.0); ?
• C1 level according to CEFR native speakers or graduates from an English-speaking university are exempt from this verification.

Documents Required for Application

Applicants are invited to submit:

1. their application, consisting of
   a) curriculum vitae; 
   b) a list of publications (if applicable); 
   c) copies of their BA and MA certificates or equivalents (including official transcripts). 
2. an outline of the research project they would like to develop (max. four pages), including key research questions and hypotheses, sources and methodology, connections of the proposed project with, and relevance for, the topic of the research group.
3. a sample of work of max. three pages, together with a short description of the context (e.g. part of BA or MA thesis, term paper, published article etc.) in its original language.
4. the names and contact details of two referees (position, professional address, and e-mail).

Application Deadline

How to Apply

The University of Bonn is committed to diversity and equal opportunities. It is certified as a family-friendly university. It aims to increase the proportion of women in areas where women are underrepresented and to promote their careers in particular. It therefore urges women with relevant qualifications to apply. Applications will be handled in accordance with the Landesgleichstellungsgesetz (State Equality Act). Applications from suitable individuals with a certified serious disability or similar are particularly welcome.

If you are interested in this position, please send your complete English application documents combined into one single pdf file by July 31, 2020, to application[at]dependency.uni-bonn.de with the application code 32/20/3.202.

For further information please refer to our website or contact Sarah Dusend at researchandstudy[at]dependency.uni-bonn.de.

For more details, visit Bonn University website.