Heidelberg University aims for offering the best possible conditions for academics in the early stages of their careers. We also want to give international academics at this career stage the opportunity to establish their research in Heidelberg. To support these goals, the three humanities faculties at Heidelberg University, bundled in Field of Focus 3, are offering funding for two Starting Grants, which will be used to employ two particularly highly qualified early career researchers at Heidelberg University to work on a third-party funding proposal (ERC Starting Grant or DFG Emmy Noether Junior Research Group).

Type and Amount of Funding
A position will be funded for each of the two candidates for 12 months until the application is submitted and for a further 12 months until the decision of the third-party funding body (salary accoring to TVL E13 100%, starting end of 2024/beginning of 2025). During the second year of funding, it is desirable that the candidate's own research activities are linked to an institution in the humanities and/or one of the focal points of Field of Focus 3. In addition to the personnel funds, funds for necessary congress trips or shorter research trips as well as smaller amounts of funding for research assistants can be applied for (up to EUR 20,000).
Eligible are either funds for the application for an ERC Starting Grant or for a DFG Emmy Noether Junior Research Group. The future project must be based at Heidelberg University.
What we offer:
- An excellent and diverse research environment and outstanding research infrastructure (libraries, research data management, etc.)
- Professional and comprehensive support for the third-party funding application
- Admission to the heiTRACKS program (incl. offers for coaching and mentoring) and the possibility to extend your position for 3 years beyond a won ERC Starting Grant or a DFG Emmy Noether Junior Research Group (more information here).
The funding can be taken up from October 2024 to January 2025 at the latest.

Eligibility
The following persons are eligible to apply:
- Postdoctoral researchers in the humanities before habilitation (incl. W1/W2 without/before TT) who were preferably currently and in the last two years not employed at Heidelberg University
- 1-5 years after the date of the doctorate (Emmy Noether: 1-3 years), possibly extendable according to the criteria of the two funding programs

with scientific excellence demonstrated by:
- Outstanding doctorate
- Ambitious publications in high-ranking journals (number depending on academic age)
- Proven international experience/research in an international environment
- If applicable, academic prizes, scholarships or similar
Heidelberg University is strongly committed to diversity and explicitly encourages women and BIPOC to apply.

Application
Applications can be submitted in German or English to the Research Council of the Field of Focus 3 at Heidelberg University.
The following documents are required:
- Short description of the research project for which a funding proposal is to be developed (max. 5 pages, Arial 12pt, line spacing 1.5, incl. references). Structure: Abstract, state of research, own preliminary work, work plan for the development of a third-party funding application by month)
- If applicable, information on required material and personnel resources (travel expenses, hours of research assistance)
- Confirmation that an application will be developed and submitted in one of the two funding formats (ERC/Emmy Noether) and that the project will be based at Heidelberg University if successful
- CV, academic certificates
- A letter of recommendation including confirmation that the candidate is among the top 5% of their academic age group in the discipline. The reviewer must not come from the candidate's own institution and must not have been the supervisor of the dissertation
Please send all documents in a single file (pdf) to the office of the Research Council of the Field of Focus 3 (nele.schneidereit@uni-heidelberg.de) by 1 June 2024.

Selection procedure
The most promising candidates will be invited to a short project presentation (online/on site).
The Rectorate of Heidelberg University decides on funding on the recommendation of the Research Council in Field of Focus 3 and an appointed review panel.

If you have any questions about the procedure, please contact the Research Council 3 office.