Job: Research assistant (f/m/d) in the subproject B01 „In Search for Home – Musical Practice in East Asia“ (Universität Heidelberg) Deadline: 30.05.2025
The Collaborative Research Center 1671 „Home(s): Phenomena, Practices, Representations“ is an interdisciplinary research project funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) (first funding period), which is dedicated to the task of examining the current and always controversial phenomenon of home for its historical and global relevance. Further information can be found at here.
From the perspective of sinology and musicology the interdisciplinary subproject B01 „In Search for Home – Musical Practice in East Asia“ analysis practices and strategies of home making (and unmaking) in China and Japan through the example of four music instruments: pipa, biwa, zheng, and koto. Starting from the epistemological rupture caused by the encounter with western culture in the 19th century the project asks how these instruments were modelled as typically Chinese, Japanese etc. Those modelling practices will be compared between China and Japan as well as with pre- and early modern practices. Additionally, we ask how practices in music culture relate to predominant notions and models of home and how these practices affect these notions and models in return.
The following part-time position (65 percent) in the subproject B01 „In Search for Home – Musical Practice in East Asia“ is to be filled at the earliest possible date until 30 June 2028:
Research assistant (f/m/d)
Your tasks:
- Writing a dissertation about the Japanese instruments biwa and koto within the first funding period
- Collaboration in regular work meetings
- Participation in project-specific event formats and publications
- Participation in collaborations with other subprojects
- Support of guest researchers
- Research trips
Your profile:
- An above-average academic master’s degree in musicology, Japanese studies, transcultural studies or equivalent disciplines
- Interest in interdisciplinary work and methodological reflection
- Strong communication and teamwork skills
- Japanese language skills
We offer:
- Collegial, interdisciplinary, international and diversity-friendly working environment
- Interdisciplinary supervision of the qualification thesis
- Further training opportunities tailored to your needs
- Internships and traineeships in science-related professional fields with our cooperation partners
- Measures tailored to needs to promote diversity and compatibility of family and career
- Subsidized Deutschlandticket
The remuneration is based on E13 TV-L.
We look forward to receiving your application including the usual documents (cover letter, CV and certificates). Please also include a short exposé (max. three pages) reflecting upon the heuristic potential of model theory, home as cultural practice, and the role of music in practices and discourses of belonging. Please submit all your documents by 30th Max 2025 in a PDF file by e-mail to the speaker of the CRC Prof. Dr. Christiane Wiesenfeldt (wiesenfeldt[at]zegk[dot]uni-heidelberg.de) or the subproject leader PD Dr. Stefan Menzel (stefan[dot]menzel[at]zegk[dot]uni-heidelberg.de), who will also be available to answer any questions you may have.
Heidelberg University stands for equal opportunities and diversity. Qualified female candidates are especially invited to apply. Persons with severe disabilities will be given preference if they are equally qualified. Information on job advertisements and the collection of personal data is available at Universität Heidelberg .