Research Team Positions/Scholarships
As of 2012, the GCSC plans to offer up to 13 positions for PhD candidates every year to excellent students wishing to pursue a doctorate in the study of culture, provided funding will be granted. Alternatively, the GSCS will award scholarships. Research team positions are at pay grade 13 TV-H (65%, i.e. between approximately € 2.075 and € 2.300 - gross salary). Scholarships amount to about €1.300 a month. Both are granted on an annual basis with two potential annual extensions, thus covering the entire three-year programme. The GCSC supports young researchers with families; doctoral researchers with children under the age of twelve are eligible for renewals of up to four years
We welcome applications from students who…
- … graduated with excellent marks from their Masters programmes in the humanities or social sciences no longer than two years ago, and
- … propose a research project of outstanding academic quality which is relevant to one or more of our research areas.
Research team positions and scholarships are advertised annually in December / January for entry in the following winter semester starting in October.
We employ a two-stage application process. For stage 1 with deadline March 1st, candidates will be asked to upload a statement of intent, along with a CV and a short abstract outlining the goals of their PhD project onto the application website (open only during application periods). Furthermore we ask you to submit two references from university teachers.
After we have reviewed and approved of the initial application, candidates will, at stage 2 with deadline about mid-April, be asked to submit the following documents:
- copies of all degree certificates
- a research proposal of no more than 10 pages. All proposals should include a brief abstract summing up aims and methods, sketch the guiding questions of the project within the context of current academic debates, and show how the dissertation will make an original and important contribution to the field. The proposal should also clearly indicate how the project fits into the GCSC research profile and outline the source materials that will be used
- a realistic timetable for the completion of the project
- a printed copy of the undergraduate or master’s thesis (no CD-Roms)
After scrutinising the applications, the selection committee will invite the most promising applicants for an interview at Giessen (in June) which will determine which candidates will receive the research team positions or scholarships.
Scholarship Advice
For all its predoctoral members, the GCSC provides specialist scholarship advice, helping to secure funding for living expenses.
