Beca predoctoral: Research Cluster on Cognition and Poetics, Osnabrück University

The Research Cluster on Cognition and Poetics at Osnabrück University invites applications for one (1) two-year fellowship for a PhD student working in the general field of Cognition and Poetics, starting as early as October 2017. There is some possibility, but no assurance, of extending the scholarship by one additional year, pending available funding, which has not yet been secured.

The fellowship is funded by the Anneliese-Maier Research Award presented to Professor Mark Turner by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and is intended to support a PhD student in successfully developing an innovative and interdisciplinary research project in “Cognition and Poetics,” i.e. the borderline area between linguistics, literature/culture/arts, and cognitive science. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

The scholarship holder is expected to develop an innovative and interdisciplinary research project within the Osnabrück Research Cluster “Cognition and Poetics”. Research in this Cluster typically seeks to understand how the production and reception of phenomena in linguistics, literature, art, music, and culture interact with the biological processes and socio-cultural protocols of embodied, distributed cognition. The overarching goal is to produce better-grounded, finer-grained, and less figurative explanations of distinctive effects in the individual forms of art. 

All applications will be reviewed by a selection committee. Shortlisted applicants may be invited for a videoconference interview. 

If accepted, the scholarship holder is expected to take up residence in Osnabrück and enroll in the PhD Program of the Department of Literature and Linguistics. For a total of up to 24 months, scholarship holders will receive a grant of 1300 EUR per month, plus supplementary family and child allowance, if applicable, and may apply on an occasional basis for a total of up to 3000 EUR in additional funding for travel costs and participation at international conferences.

Requirements: 

The successful candidate is expected to hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Linguistics, Literature/Culture, or Cognitive Science and to have a research focus in the field of cognition and poetics, broadly construed, and ideally documented in earlier research activities, such as presentations or publications.

How to Apply:

Applicants from within and outside Germany are invited to apply. Interested candidates should send an application electronically to ifaa@uos.de, including:

Master’s degree or equivalent (scan);

• a curriculum vitae (CV), including the names and email addresses of at least two senior scholars who are willing to provide letters of reference;
• a proposal of about 400 words (one page) of the planned research project;
• a detailed prospectus for the planned research project (no more than 5 pages);
• an accompanying letter outlining motivation for applying at the Research Cluster.

Please make sure that you include the keywords “Cognition and Poetics Scholarship” in your email subject header!

As a certified family-friendly institution, Osnabrück University is committed to furthering the compatibility between work/studies and family life. Osnabrück University offers comprehensive services that help with arrangements for child care, spousal work opportunities, accommodation and administrative questions.

Osnabrück University is an equal opportunities employer and will give preference to under-represented groups amongst equally qualified candidates. Women and those with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply. 

Application Deadline: 01-Sep-2017

Mailing Address for Applications:

Contact Information: