Job Description
Historical Institute, Professorship for Modern General and Eastern European History
Start of employment: 1 February 2026
The Historical Institute of the University of Bern is seeking to fill a position as a research assistant (doctoral or postdoc position) at the Chair of Modern General and Eastern European History (Prof. Dr. Julia Richers) starting February 1, 2026.
After a probationary period of six months, there is the option of an extension up to a maximum employment period of four years (with an MA) or six years (with a doctorate).
Tasks
The job profile includes independent research and further academic qualification in the history of the 19th and 20th centuries (dissertation or habilitation project). The research project should be one of the professorship’s research focuses in the field of Eastern European, East Central European, or Southeastern European history (preferably the Eastern Habsburg Monarchy, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, or the Soviet Union) and should be scientifically innovative. Further responsibilities include teaching courses in German (one course per semester for postdocs, and as needed for doctoral students) and supervising student theses. Finally, the responsibilities include supporting the professorship in research, teaching, and administrative tasks, as well as participating in university self-government.
Requirements
We are seeking a committed young researcher with an above-average university degree (MA/PhD) in Eastern European history and a research focus in the above-mentioned areas. Further requirements include:
• Interest in the research focus and scientific approaches of the professorship
• Proven teaching experience and/or willingness to undertake further didactic training
• Excellent German language skills and proven knowledge of at least one Eastern European language
• Strong communication and teamwork skills, as well as good self-organization skills
• Work presence
• Interest in the research focus and scientific approaches of the professorship
• Proven teaching experience and/or willingness to undertake further didactic training
• Excellent German language skills and proven knowledge of at least one Eastern European language
• Strong communication and teamwork skills, as well as good self-organization skills
• Work presence
We offer
We offer a stimulating, collegial working environment in a dedicated team, as well as attractive university-style employment conditions (such as protected research time). The salary is based on the salary scales of the Canton of Bern.
Interested?
We look forward to receiving your application, including a letter of motivation, a CV in tabular form, certificates, a list of publications, a list of your teaching courses, and teaching evaluations. We also request a letter of reference, a four-page outline of your current or planned research project (dissertation or habilitation), and a writing sample (one academic article or one chapter from your most recent thesis). These documents must be submitted as a single PDF file.
For further information about the position, please contact Prof. Dr. Julia Richers at julia.richers@unibe.ch. For administrative questions, please contact Andrea Häfeli
at andrea.haefeli@unibe.ch.Please upload your complete application documents electronically as a single PDF file by August 25, 2025. Interviews are scheduled to take place on September 26, 2025 (by invitation).
at andrea.haefeli@unibe.ch.Please upload your complete application documents electronically as a single PDF file by August 25, 2025. Interviews are scheduled to take place on September 26, 2025 (by invitation).
