Zentralinstitut John-F.-Kennedy-Institut - Exzellenzcluster „Contestations of the Liberal Script (SCRIPTS)“Research assistant (postdoc) (m/f/d) full-time job limited to 31.12.2025 Entgeltgruppe 13 TV-L FU reference code: SCRIPTS_Postdoc_RU OrdersBewerbungsende: 29.03.2023

The Cluster of Excellence “Contestations of the Liberal Script (SCRIPTS)” is a research consortium that analyses the contemporary controversies about liberal democracy and the market economy. The term “liberal script” relates to a set of ideas and institutional prescriptions about how society is organised based on the core principle of individual self-determination. The main purpose of SCRIPTS is to understand why the liberal model of order has fallen into crisis despite its political, economic, and social achievements.
SCRIPTS has been operating since 2019 and is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) until the end of 2025. The Cluster is hosted by the Freie Universität Berlin and unites eight major Berlin-based research institutes. Cluster research teams are made up of doctoral researchers, postdoctoral researchers, and professors from social, political, and area studies. SCRIPTS is well connected with research institutes and knowledge exchange partners throughout the world, including political and cultural organisations, as well as civil society actors. In addition, SCRIPTS brings renowned visiting scholars from all over the world to Berlin.
The Cluster’s research programme is structured around four Research Units (RUs): Borders, Orders, (Re-)Allocation and Temporality. The RU Orders investigates contestations of the liberal script with regard to state and civil society structures and discourses, rights, and political procedures. In cooperation with the members of the Research Unit, the postdoctoral researcher will contribute to the synthesis of research results of the unit and coordinate the process of streamlining scientific insights by research projects. Furthermore, the researcher will develop their own research in the interdisciplinary context of the unit and contribute to the further development of the unit’s research agenda.
The selection is done according to the SCRIPTS Diversity Rules & Guidelines: https://www.scripts-berlin.eu/about-us/Diversity/SCRIPTS_-Diversity_-Rules-_-Guidelines1/index.html.

Job description:
• Synthesizing the RU Orders’ research results through working papers, publications, participation in scientific events (workshops, conferences) of the Cluster
• Theorizing Contestation of the Liberal Script based on the systematic and comprehensive analysis of the RU Orders’ results, and by collaborating with the leadership of the Research Unit and the members of the Theory Network
• Supporting the three RU Directors in the coordination of the RU Orders’ research
• Preparing, planning and co-directing the RU Orders’ regular meetings and workshops
• Conducting own research in the context of the RU Orders

Requirements:
Completed university degree PhD in social sciences, humanities or area studies.

Desirable:
- Excellent expertise on the Cluster’s research topic;
- very good knowledge of theories and methods in the social science and/or area studies relating to the RU Orders;
- very good English skills;
- own idea for an innovative research project in the context of the Cluster’s RU Orders

For further information, please contact Frau Prof. Dr. Lora Anne Viola ([email protected] / 030 838 52852 ).

Applications should be sent by e-mail, together with significant documents (ideally applications will include: 1) a cover letter, 2) curriculum vitae, 2) copies of transcripts, 3) a brief outline of the proposed contribution to the project (2 pages), and 4) an academic writing sample (max. 20 pages)), indicating the reference code, in PDF format (preferably as one document) to Frau Prof. Dr. Lora Anne Viola: [email protected] or postal to

Freie Universität Berlin

Zentralinstitut John-F.-Kennedy-Institut

Exzellenzcluster „Contestations of the Liberal Script (SCRIPTS)“

Frau Prof. Dr. Lora Anne Viola

Lansstr. 7-9

14195 Berlin (Dahlem)

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