Head of the Department “Entanglements and Reordering” (m/ f/ d)

The Leibniz Institute for the History and Culture of Eastern Europe (GWZO) is one of the world’s leading research and educational institutions dedicated to the study of Central and Eastern European history and culture. Its work is distinguished by a broad interdisciplinary approach and an exceptional chronological scope: from antiquity to contemporary history, and across the entire region, the institute examines the distinctive characteristics and historical transformations of Central and Eastern Europe. The GWZO focuses on topics that address some of the most pressing challenges of our time, including the dynamics of globalisation and migration, knowledge systems and competing interpretations of history, environmental issues and violence. Headquartered in Leipzig since 2010 and with an additional office in central Prague since 2025, the GWZO employs approximately 90 staff members from Germany and abroad. 

Head of the Department “Entanglements and Reordering” (formerly Entanglements and Globalisation”) (m/f/d)

to commence on 1 June 2027.

The position is full-time and remunerated in accordance with pay grade 15 of the German public-sector collective agreement for the federal states (TV-L). The appointment is initially for a fixed term of two years, with the possibility of becoming permanent thereafter. The place of employment is Leipzig, Germany.

The department’s research centres on explaining the historical processes of entanglement that have shaped Central and Eastern Europe and, in some cases, continue to influence the present in the realms of society, culture, politics, knowledge and the economy. Scholars from a range of disciplines examine the region’s position within global East–West and North–South entanglements.

The department’s four existing subject areas (Interculturalism, International Positionings, Global Economy and Circulation of Knowledge) will be reconfigured from 2027 onwards. A new subject area, “Glocal Orders”, explores how social, economic and legal orders in Eastern Europe emerged through the interplay of global and local influences. It investigates how these orders developed, stabilised and were repeatedly challenged, disrupted, dismantled or reconfigured over time. In light of current dynamics of (de-)globalisation, renationalisation and bloc formation, the department will also focus on conflicts and wars through a second new subject area, “Dynamics of Violence”. A third subject area is to be defined by the new Head of Department, taking into account both the department’s existing strengths and the appointee’s own research priorities. The precise designation and thematic emphasis of the above-mentioned subject areas within the overall departmental framework will likewise be determined by the new department leadership.

Historical research is already strongly represented within the department through permanent academic positions and through the research projects of the Director. Applications are therefore particularly welcome from literary scholars and art historians working with historical approaches who possess a demonstrated transnational and/or global-historical research profile and who would be able to provide conceptual leadership for a historically oriented department.

• Provide conceptual, personnel and organisational leadership for the Department “Entanglements and Reordering”, ensuring its international visibility as a leading centre for transnational scholarship on the history of Central and Eastern Europe;
• Continuously develop the department’s research profile and strategic orientation in cooperation with local partners (particularly Leipzig University) and international collaborators;
• Lead and supervise the department’s academic staff;
• Monitor suitable third-party funding opportunities and develop grant applications in collaboration with colleagues within the department and across other GWZO departments, including joint projects with Leipzig University and other partner institutions;
• Maintain an active publication record at an international level;
• Plan and allocate resources and oversee the department’s academic and research activities in close coordination with the academic leadership, research management and administration of the GWZO;
• Contribute to the strategic development of the GWZO as a whole as a member of the expanded leadership team, participate in the preparation of research strategy documents and assume responsibility for the department’s reporting obligations;
• Promote the visibility of the GWZO, its publications and research findings among German, East Central European, Eastern European and international audiences, and develop new communication formats at the interface between academic research and the wider public.

• An internationally recognised scholar with a habilitation or equivalent qualification (e.g. a junior professorship or documented eligibility to supervise doctoral candidates) in a field represented at the GWZO, with an excellent track record in transnational and/or global-historical research on the history of Central and Eastern Europe;
• Experience in the strategic development of research areas and programmes;
• A broad national and international academic network within the fields represented at the GWZO;
• Strong conceptual and strategic thinking skills, including the ability to design transdisciplinary and transepochal research programmes that extend beyond the applicant’s immediate area of specialisation;
• A publication record and success in attracting third-party funding commensurate with the requirements of a senior academic leadership position;
• Leadership and management experience, as well as experience in project administration;
• Ideally, an excellent command of German sufficient to fulfil the above-mentioned academic administrative responsibilities (alternatively, a willingness to attain this level within two years);
• Excellent command of English and proficiency in additional languages relevant to the region under study;
• Experience in knowledge transfer and science communication;
• Openness to interdisciplinary collaboration;
• A high degree of intercultural competence;
• Willingness to participate in regular professional development and training.

• A diverse and intellectually stimulating role within a challenging and dynamic academic environment;
• A creative and motivating working environment with flat hierarchies;
• A vibrant collegial culture characterised by openness, mutual trust and cooperation;
• Opportunities for individual academic development, profile-building and further professional qualification;
• Family-friendly working conditions and flexible working hours;
• Extensive networking opportunities within the GWZO and beyond, as well as a workplace in the heart of Leipzig and in close proximity to the campus of Leipzig University;
• A high quality of life in Leipzig and excellent conditions for balancing professional and family responsibilities.

The GWZO is committed to achieving equal opportunities for women and men in employment and therefore expressly encourages women to apply. Applications from women are particularly welcome and, where qualifications and suitability are equal, preference will be given to female candidates. We support the integration of leadership responsibilities with family commitments. Subject to suitability and organisational feasibility, the position may also be filled on a near-full-time part-time basis or through a tandem/job-sharing arrangement. A regional dual-career network is available. Applicants with severe disabilities will be given preferential consideration where qualifications are equal.

If you are interested in this position, please submit your application, including all relevant supporting documents, by 1 September 2026 to the Director of the GWZO, Professor Maren Röger, Specks Hof, Reichsstraße 4–6, 04109 Leipzig, Germany, or by email to: bewerbung@leibniz-gwzo.de.

For further information about the position and the department, please contact Professor Maren Röger.

Please note that submitting an application by email may have data protection implications. Applicants who choose this option do so at their own risk.

Candidates invited to an interview, expected to take place in the second half of October, will be asked in advance to submit a four- to five-page concept paper outlining their vision for the department’s future development.

Further information about the GWZO can be found on the website: www.leibniz-gwzo.de

Information on data protection

The personal data contained in your application documents or collected during the interview process will be processed exclusively for the purpose of conducting the selection procedure for the advertised position. The legal basis for this data processing is Section 11 (1) of the Sächsisches Datenschutzdurchführungsgesetz, in conjunction with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (DS-GVO). The controller responsible for the application process is the addressee specified in this advertisement. Within the institute, your personal data will be disclosed solely as part of the application process and only to the extent necessary to the following bodies and individuals, in accordance with their organizational or legal responsibilities:

– the members of the selection committee,

– the Human Resources Department,

– the Equal Opportunities Officers,

– the Inclusion Officer, and

– the Works Council.

Your personal data will be deleted no later than six months after completion of the selection process. Under the DS-GVO, you have the following rights vis-à-vis the addressee of the application if the relevant legal requirements are met: Right of access (Art. 15 DS-GVO), right to rectification of inaccurate personal data (Art. 16 DS-GVO), right to erasure (Art. 17 DS-GVO), right to restriction of processing (Art. 18 DS-GVO) and right to object to processing (Art. 21 DS-GVO). If you have any questions, please contact the GWZO data protection officers. You also have the right to lodge a complaint. The supervisory authority responsible for the GWZO is the person appointed by the Saxon State Parliament for data protection.