4x0,65 Wiss. Mitarb. "2 Doctoral Researchers with a focus on critical cartographic analysis/school geography & 2 Doctoral Researchers with a focus on economic geography/innovation studies" (f/m/d) (Leipzig)

4x0,65 Wiss. Mitarb. "2 Doctoral Researchers with a focus on critical cartographic analysis/school geography & 2 Doctoral Researchers with a focus on economic geography/innovation studies" (f/m/d) (Leipzig)

Arbeitgeber
Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography
Ort
Leipzig
Land
Deutschland
Vom - Bis
01.01.2020 -
Bewerbungsschluss
03.11.2019
Url (PDF/Website)
Von
Jana Moser

The Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography in Leipzig, Germany (Leibniz-Institut für Länderkunde), invites applications for 4 researcher positions from 1 January 2020 (under the caveat of the financing commitment):

2 Doctoral Researchers with a focus on critical cartographic analysis/school geography & 2 Doctoral Researchers with a focus on economic geography/innovation studies (each 65 % E 13 TV-L) (f/m/d)

Spatialization is a central dimension of social actions. Spaces are being made by people. With these two projects IfL contributes to a wider research context that focuses processes of globalisation and spatialization.

The IfL conducts basic research on the regional geography of Germany, Europe and beyond and communicates its research findings to a wider public. Under the heading “Geographies of the Regional”, the institute develops perspectives on socio-spatial developments in a globalised society that is increasingly characterised by differences, diversity and complexity.

We offer:
- a part time job until 31 December 2023, family friendly working hours
- a superb working environment in an enthusiastic research team, travel costs subsidy to the job-ticket, employer-funded pension
- integration into the doctoral training organised within the framework of the Research Academy at the University of Leipzig, Germany
- access to national and international networks to support scientific exchange
- the possibility to implement own ideas in the context of the research program
- family-friendly working conditions that encourage the compatibility of work and family life

We expect an ambitious, creative, independently thinking and acting personality. Furthermore, we desire a maximum of initiative, ability to work in a team and readiness to innovate. The project tasks require interdisciplinary openness, spatial flexibility and willingness to travel frequently in the case study regions.

The IfL follows the goal of professional equality for all genders. Recognised persons with disabilities receive preference by equal qualification. We welcome applications from individuals with a migration background.

Position 1: 2 Doctoral Researchers with a focus on critical cartographic analysis/school geography with a historical perspective

With this project in the department „Cartography and Visual Communication“ seeks to better understand the role of graphical and structural elements in school atlases for their impact as communicators of spatial knowledge. Therefore, the project investigates atlases from different production regions by means of quantitative content analyses supplemented by contextualization by means of archive and library studies, network analysis and expert interviews. In addition to printed atlases of the entire 20th century, the study also focuses on digital maps and atlases. The aim of the reciprocally comparative study is to identify developments and continuities in the graphic and structural representation of socially effective spatial images, as well as cultural differences and mechanisms of approximation between different production regions/cultures. To do so, the sub-project integrates further disciplinary perspectives in the field of visual mediation of spatial concepts and knowledge, but also on questions of the representation of imaginations.

We seek to employ one doctoral researcher focussing on Russia/Soviet Union and one doctoral researcher focussing on Germany and digital media. Both researchers are expected to do research in other Eastern European countries and collaborate closely to compare their findings and work in a joint team.

Your responsibilities and tasks:

- updating the state-of-the-art regarding history of German, Eastern European and Russian/Soviet cartography and map making as well as spatial concepts and imaginations
- investigation, selection and collection of atlases and maps as well as archival and other contextual material; archival work in Archives and Libraries in the study regions
- further development of an existing methodology for the quantitative analysis of school atlases
- analysis and interpretation of cartographic and written material; network analysis for mapmakers/map publishers/atlas series
- planning, preparation, realisation and evaluation of expert interviews
- collection, documentation and analysis of digital maps and atlases and interpretation of findings
- further development of data management; collaboration on computer-aided data evaluation with Digital Humanities procedures;
- further development of the research methodology with regard to digital maps/atlases
- development of an international network on the history of German/Russian/Soviet/East Europe- an mapmaking
- presentation of results, knowledge transfer and publication activities
- organisation of workshops and conferences
- implementation of an own PhD-project in the framework of the project
- interaction with IfL research program

Our expectations:

- excellent Master certificate in cartography, historical geography, cultural studies, European or global studies, educational studies or in related fields
- very good knowledge of qualitative and quantitative methods of empirical social research
- basic theoretical knowledge of and interest in the field of cartography and history of cartography
in the 20th century and regarding concepts of visual communication
- high readiness and open-mindedness to integrate various disciplinary concepts as of cartography,
geography, visual studies, history, computer sciences etc.
- knowledge in data procession and management, in network analysis procedures, digital mapping
practices and in digital humanities procedures
- high personal commitment and reliability, capacity for teamwork
- very good communication and writing skills in English language and in Russian or German language (depending on study region); good communication skills in German language; ideally basic communication skills in other Eastern European languages

Position 2: 2 Doctoral Researchers with a focus on economic geography/innovation studies (A02)

With this project the department Regional Geographies of Europe” will conduct a number of case studies about innovation processes and their spatial relations in ‘peripheral’ technology enterprises in Africa and Central Asia/South Caucasus. The main objective of the project is to analyse the relevance and impact of discursively produced spatial orders and core-periphery-relations for innovation activities and the development of successful technology enterprises in ‘peripheral’ locations, i.e. outside the bigger urban agglomerations in these macro regions. In so doing, the project aims to develop a critical perspective on Western-centric theories and the currently dominant understandings of economic development. The project develops new perspectives on the re-production of and opposition to dominant spatial orders and core-periphery-relations in the context of global economic conditions. Central to the project will be a case study based analysis of spatial aspects of innovation activities in locally rooted and internationally successful technology enterprises. We seek to employ one doctoral researcher focussing on Africa and one doctoral researcher focussing on Central Asia/South Caucasus. Both researchers are expected to collaborate closely and work in a joint team.

Your responsibilities and tasks:
- updating the state-of-the-art concerning ‘peripheral’ innovation in the macro regions and the im- agination of spatial orders; further development of conceptual and methodological framework, engaging in de-colonial dialogues in economic geography
- identification of potential case study enterprises in the macro regions through desk research and participation in macro regional trade fairs;
- empirical case study research about technology enterprises and their spatial innovation practices in the macro regions; comparative analysis of case study results within and across the macro re- gions
- cooperation with projects in the wider research context and partners of ifL
- publication of research results in international journals, working papers and edited volumes,
presentation of results at international conferences
- networking with the academic community and particularly researchers in the field in the macro
regions
- implementation of an own PhD-project in the framework of the project
- interaction with IfL research program

Our expectations:

- excellent Master certificate in economic geography, innovation studies, regional studies, global studies or in related fields
- fundamental knowledge related to the geography of innovation and business development/high-tech start-ups (e.g. born globals) in one of the two macro regions (Africa or Central Asia/South Caucasus)
- basic theoretical knowledge of and interest in analysing dominant spatial orders in the context of global knowledge economies and their social construction with a focus on ‘peripheral’ spaces
- regional expertise in at least two sub-regions either in Africa or in Central Asia/South Caucasus
- very good knowledge of qualitative methods of empirical social research, ideally with a focus oncomparative case study designs, qualitative interviews and participant observation; ability to
conduct empirical work with technology enterprises
- very good business communication and writing skills in English language and a further language relevant to implement the case studies in one of the two macro regions, basic knowledge of German
- high personal commitment and reliability, capacity for teamwork

Your application:
Please send your application in English (motivation letter, CV, certificates, degrees, themes of prior work incl. list of previous projects, list of own publications) in a single pdf document with a maximum of 20 pages with the keyword Position 1 or Position 2 to: personal@ifl-leipzig.de.

By submitting the application, you consent to the processing of your personal data for the purpose of the application procedure.

Deadline for applications:
3 November 2019 with job interviews being scheduled for end of November. The vacancy notice is subject to the final project approval.

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