Post-doctoral Researcher

Bozen/Bolzano
open-ended

Institute for Minority Rights

The Institute for Minority Rights at Eurac Research (Bozen/Bolzano, Italy) is hiring a researcher to conduct research on the nexus of borders, minorities and heritage as part of the international Horizon Europe project “B-SHAPES - Borders Shaping Perceptions of European Societies”.

B-SHAPES seeks to identify, understand, and re-envision the continuing role of borders as a central factor in forming and changing people’s perceptions of European societies and politics in the 21st century. To scrutinise the idea of a socially and culturally coherent Europe, B-SHAPES engages with people’s perceptions of European societies with a focus on the re-bordering trends in Europe, as they are threatening the process of European integration and are bound to alter perceptions of European heritage as shared values, beliefs, and traditions that bridge people living within and across the European territory.

B-SHAPES studies a carefully selected range of ten European border regions and realities comparatively and in depth. The novelty of B-SHAPES’ approach lies in its focus on narratives from the grassroots perspective as well as on under-researched actors in, and characteristics of, borderlands, including Eurosceptics, minorities, youth, and natural as well as cultural landscapes. B-SHAPES will illuminate practices of dealing with multiple and often conflictual cultural heritage and contribute to the creation of a more resilient, inclusive, and democratic European society.

The person hired for the advertised position will work primarily on the Work Package coordinated by Eurac Research, focusing on minorities’ perception of borders and their impact on the European project.

**Tasks**:

- Developing research design, data collection and analysis together with the team
- Content analysis of German-language minority newspapers
- Conducting interviews and focus groups
- Organizing workshops with young adults in border regions
- Reporting of research findings through research reports and publication of scientific articles in international journals;
- Participation in conferences and project meetings abroad
- Project management and reporting

**Requirements**:

- PhD in political science, sociology or social anthropology (or related fields). Doctoral students defending their Ph.D. before the end of July 2023 can also apply
- Experience of working on empirical research projects related to the topics under study (borders, minorities, identity) is highly valued
- Experience in qualitative research methods
- Experience in autonomously conducting interviews, focus groups, content analysis; experience with participatory research methods is an asset
- Experience with third funded projects, especially within programs financed by the EU, is highly valued
- Excellent English and/or German, good knowledge of one of the following languages is an asset: Polish, Hungarian, Bulgarian
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a small team
- Willingness to travel for project meetings and conferences
- Willingness to relocate to Bozen/Bolzano or surroundings

We offer:

- An early postdoc position for 1 year, with the possibility of renewal for a further 2-year period after a positive evaluation. The intended start date of the position will be April 2023
- A dynamic, innovative and collaborative research atmosphere in a research centre ranked among the 20 best employers in Italy by an external international consulting institute
- Access to Eurac Research’s scientific and cultural facilities and events
- Professional training and development opportunities

How to apply:
Placeholder for further comments/specifications:
Project Horizon Europe: B-SHAPES (CUP: D53C22003730006);
- Company: Eurac Research- Location: Bozen/Bolzano
- Entry date: by arrangement
- Contact person: Alice Engl
- Phone number: 0471/055220