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Open Call: Thyssen@KWI Fellowship

Logo Fritz Thyssen Foundation © Fritz Thyssen Stiftung
The Thyssen@KWI Fellowship with a duration of 6 months (from 1 April 2027 until 30 September 2027) addresses excellent researchers from the humanities, cultural studies and the social sciences. It is most generously funded by the Fritz Thyssen Foundation. International researchers are invited to apply as well as scholars of German nationality, provided they demonstrate outstanding international work experience and contacts.

Research fellows who have completed their PhD and have already gained several years of post-doctoral research expertise (R3 level) are invited to apply. Project proposals should address KWI's research agenda. The KWI (Kulturwissenschaftliches Institut) in Essen provides fellows with modern infrastructure, office space, technical support, and offers a library service, event and research management as well as any administrative and communicative support. 

About KWI

The KWI is the UA Ruhr’s interdisciplinary research college for the humanities and cultural sciences and stands in the tradition of international institutes for advanced study. It has been jointly run by the three UA Ruhr partner universities since 2007. It offers a space for independent and innovative research in the humanities and various opportunities to engage and include the public. Currently, research at KWI focusses on the following areas: science studies, visual literacy, aesthetic practices, constellations of historical impact, dialogues between the cultural and social sciences. 

Expectations

• Candidates must hold a completed PhD in the humanities, cultural studies, the social sciences, or closely related fields and demonstrate an established research profile. They should also have approximately five or more years of postdoctoral experience (R3 level). Applicants are expected to work on a research project that is distinct from their PhD research. 

• Applications are open to international researchers. German scholars may apply if they have substantial international research experience during or after their PhD, including extended research stays or collaborations abroad, and relevant professional contacts. 

• Candidates will have a strong scientific track record (including publications in respected international journals or other comparable publications; participation in and organization of international conferences). Applications from candidates with a proven record of third-party funding and/or with experience in science communication and/or public humanities are especially welcome. 

• The fellowship should be dedicated to research linked to one or more of KWI’s focus areas and consistent with its interdisciplinary agenda. Various project formats are possible: You might devote your time in Essen to finishing a book or a special issue, finalizing a research proposal or setting up a research group. We also welcome plans to establish or substantiate collaborations with the universities of the Ruhr Alliance. 

• The Thyssen@KWI Fellow is expected to be present at the institute at least 3 days a week and to participate in entry and exit interviews. 

• The Thyssen@KWI Fellow is requested to actively take part in the Colloquium, lectures, conferences, reading groups and other academic events at KWI. Moreover, the fellow is expected to contribute to the KWI Blog.

• The Thyssen@KWI Fellow may have the opportunity to organize a workshop as part of the program, depending on available resources and scheduling constraints. While this is not a requirement for participation, applicants with an interest in hosting a workshop are encouraged to express their ideas in their application. 

• The Thyssen@KWI Fellow is not expected to teach, but always welcome to participate in lecture series and seminars at surrounding universities. 

• Publications deriving from the time of residence should mention KWI and the Fritz Thyssen Foundation. 

• Knowledge of German is not required since the Fellowship Programme relies on a strong command of English. 

• Successful applicants are expected to begin their fellowship on the announced starting date (April 1 2027). Due to our semester schedule and the design of the fellowship programme, the start and end of the fellowship are not negotiable. 

Applications

Please apply in the form of one single PDF file (max. 20 MB) which must be submitted electronically to international.fellowship@uni-due.de with the subject line: “Thyssen@KWI-Fellowship”. Please note that due to IT safety regulations, we cannot accept applications via links to external platforms.

• The application must be written in English and must contain a CV, a list of publications, PhD certificate, and proposal sketching your KWI project (up to max. 5,000 characters for the proposal). 

• The application deadline is 17 August 2026 (23:59 CET). Applications that are incomplete or submitted after this date will not be considered. 

• Fellows will be selected by a committee consisting of external reviewers, the institute’s director and the Fritz Thyssen foundation. 

For further information, please see this link.

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