Post-doc position in Global Urban Studies

The University of Luxembourg seeks to hire outstanding researchers within its Faculty of Language and Literature, Humanities, Arts and Education (FLSHASE)

Post-doctoral Researcher in Global Urban Studies (M/F)

• Réf.: F3R-IPS-PFN-15GLOB
• Full-time, 40 hrs/week
• 3-years contract
• Start date: 1 March 2016

The scientific collaborator position is part of the new FNR-funded research project GLOBAL that aims to study the processes and strategies of the internationalization of cities, making such cities becoming “relational”. In empirical terms, the project is based on three case studies to be conducted in Luxembourg-City, Luxembourg, Geneva, Switzerland and in the city-state of Singapore. (See blog post below). The successful applicant will be affiliated with the Institute of Geography and Spatial Planning within the Research Unit "Identités. Politiques, Sociétés, Espaces" (IPSE). The candidate will contribute to the research activities in urban studies led by Prof. Dr. Markus Hesse.

Under the direction of Prof. Dr. Markus Hesse, the successful candidate will

• Participate in further developing the research concept of GLOBAL, most notably the approach of “relational cities”,
• Prepare the data-basis of the research on the internationalisation of cities in general and the three case study places in particular (literature, secondary data, archival data, press releases, grey literature),
• Contribute to the data collection in the case studies of GLOBAL, most notably by preparing and (partly) conducting the primary research activities,
• Take care of related field research activities in one of the three case studies areas, including on-site visits, preparatory arrangements and interviews/focus groups,
• Provide accurate data collection, assessment and interpretation, particularly with respect to non-standardised methods, and among others by means of software assistance (i.e. MaxQDA),
• Prepare the scientific reports on the related subject matter,
• Disseminate findings through blog entries and peer-reviewed publications, and also presenting the project’s findings at relevant scientific conferences.

Desired candidates will have:

• A completed PhD related to the field of human geography, sociology, other social sciences, or planning;
• Professional experience, i.e. research practice of at least three years following the termination of the doctorate
• A publication record that includes single and co-authored peer-reviewed publications and book chapters on the subject matter
• Fluent written and spoken language skills in English and further competencies in either German or French;
• A network of established research contacts at national and international levels;
• Ability to work independently and within an interdisciplinary team.

We offer

• A collaborative research environment in the social sciences and humanities in general and in geography and spatial planning in particular;
• Opportunity to participate in the development of interdisciplinary research structures, both within and beyond IPSE;
• Possibility to become part of a highly committed, highly international and dynamically developing Institute of about 30 people.

Applications are welcome in German or in English and must include the following:

• A letter of motivation;
• A detailed CV including research experience and publication record;
• A copy of the PhD diploma;
• At least two names and addresses of potential referees.

Deadline for applications: December 31st, 2015
Information and application procedures here: http://emea3.mrted.ly/we83
Contact: Prof. Dr. Markus Hesse (markus.hesse@uni.lu), Tél. +352 46 66 44-9627.