Professorship (W2) for Cultural Techniques of Virtual Lifeworlds

Stellenbeschreibung:

The Faculty of Philology at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum invites applications for the position of a Professor W2 non-tenured (m/f/d) in Cultural Techniques of Virtual Lifeworlds (without its own budget/staff) commencing . The holder of the position will represent the subject of

Cultural Techniques of Virtual Lifeworlds

in research and teaching.

The professorship is a fixed-term position until June 30, 2030 , and is part of the second funding phase of the Collaborative Research Centre 1567 “Virtual Lifeworlds”.

The professorship will represent the research field of “Cultural Techniques of Virtual Lifeworlds” in both research and teaching. We are seeking a scholar with a proven track record who combines modern German literary studies with questions from media and cultural studies. The research profile should focus on cultural, media-related, and aesthetic practices through which virtual lifeworlds are created, perceived, mediated, reflected upon, and exert a social impact. Candidates are expected to demonstrate a thorough engagement with literature in its relations to technical media, forms of social communication, institutional structures, and historical bodies of knowledge. The research profile should, in particular, build upon questions in the field of cultural technology studies and focus on practices such as writing, reading, storytelling, documenting, archiving, bearing witness, sharing, commenting, or making visible. Of particular interest are the changes these practices undergo under digital and post-digital conditions. The professorship is intended to contribute to an understanding of virtuality that is not exclusively technology-centered. Research that examines virtual lifeworlds in relation to the possible, the imaginary, the fictional, the speculative, and the ambiguous is encouraged. Historical and contemporary perspectives should be integrated in this process.

The research profile should encompass the following areas in particular:

Literature and cultural techniques of virtual lifeworlds;
Media and cultural history of literature;
Literature and digital or post-digital media;
Cultural techniques of documentation and testimony;
Social media, literary publics, and virtual cultures of conflict.

In terms of teaching, the subject of Modern German Literature is to be represented in the relevant Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Master of Education degree programs. The successful candidate is expected to teach courses on literature from the 18th century to the present, as well as on issues related to the history of media, culture, and knowledge. Responsibilities within Collaborative Research Center (CRC) 1567 include active participation in the consortium’s research program and assuming leadership roles in research. Candidates are also expected to be willing to take on responsibilities in the consortium’s committees and cross‑disciplinary working groups and to contribute to the CRC’s national and international networking efforts.

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Requirements

Applicants must have completed a habilitation or possess equivalent academic achievements in Modern German Literary Studies and Media Studies or a closely related discipline. Proof of particular aptitude for academic teaching and a willingness to participate in academic governance are also required (working language and medium of instruction: German). The candidate must meet the appointment requirements according to section 36 ff. Hochschulgesetz NW.

an internationally recognized research profile and strong academic networks;
experience with third‑party funded projects and interdisciplinary collaborative research;
a high level of commitment and proven experience in academic teaching;
willingness to engage in interdisciplinary collaboration and to support early‑career researchers;
willingness to participate in academic self‑administration, as well as excellent communication, collaboration and leadership skills.

The Ruhr-Universität Bochum stands for diversity and equal opportunities.

For this reason, we favour a working environment composed of heterogeneous teams, and seek to promote the careers of individuals who are underrepresented in our respective professional areas.

The Ruhr-Universität Bochum expressly requests job applications from women.

In areas in which they are underrepresented they will be given preference in the case of equivalent qualifications with male candidates.

Applications from individuals with disabilities are most welcome.