Promoting Young Scholars

In order to awaken interest in German-Jewish history among students as well and to promote the next generation of scholars, IGdJ staff members regularly conduct courses, which they offer primarily, but not exclusively, at the History Department of the University of Hamburg. In seminars, exercises and lectures, different topics and epochs of the Jewish past and present are addressed, all of which reflect the current profile of the IGdJ as well.

Staff members of the IGdJ regularly advise and accompany students who deal with topics of Jewish history in their bachelor’s or master’s theses. Ph.D. projects at the University of Hamburg and at other German universities are supervised by scholars working at the IGdJ as well, who are also involved in professional organizations – such as the Wissenschaftliche Arbeitsgruppe (Academic Working Group) of the Leo Baeck Institute, the Gesellschaft für die Erforschung der Geschichte der Juden (Society for Research on the History of the Jews), or the Verband der Judaisten (Association of Jewish Studies Scholars) – or as trusted lecturers in the fostering of young scholars.

The GIAEC is a collaborative project of the IGdJ, the Moses Mendelssohn Center for European-Jewish Studies (Potsdam) and Tel Aviv University. Initiated in 2014 by Prof. Dr. Miriam Rürup and Dr. Sagi Schäfer, it offers five Ph.D. students each from Germany and Israel the opportunity to present and network their own Ph.D. project internationally, to organize and conduct archival research in Germany and Israel, and to enter into discussion with leading experts in both countries on Jewish history, culture, and politics.

The interdisciplinary format includes a one-week stay each in Germany and Israel. During this time, the students visit major archives, libraries, and research institutions. Intensive engagement with the various topics aims at fostering the doctoral students, strengthening binational networking, and pointing out possible fields of work to the participants traveling along.

To date, the collaborative project has been supported by various sponsors, e.g., Tel Aviv University/ Minerva Institute for German Studies, the Leo Baeck Institute Jerusalem, the Gerda Henkel Stiftung, Alfred Toepfer Stiftung F.V.S., and the Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany.

For updated information on the GIAEC, please contact the IGdJ office (e-mail: geschaeftszimmer[at]igdj-hh.de) or Dr. Björn Siegel.

Dr. Björn Siegel
Phone: +49 (0)40 42838-2935
E-mail: bjoern.siegel[at]igdj-hh.de
Office hours: by appointment
[[Twitter]]@BjoernSiegel

The IGdJ offers students of history, Judaic studies, Jewish studies, political science, and others the opportunity to gain insight into the working fields of an academic research institution.

As an intern, you will be assigned to individual research projects currently being conducted at the IGdJ, thus enabling you to gain experience in the various sections of the IGdJ in direct coordination with staff members. Your tasks may include literature research, small-scale research and exhibition projects, event support, and research assignments in Hamburg archives. The flexible structure of the internship allows for individual attention to the interests, goals, and knowledge of the intern. The average duration of an internship is six weeks, although a semester-long internship is also possible by arrangement.

Unfortunately, remuneration for the internship is not possible, but after completion of the internship you will receive a detailed certificate.

Prerequisites:

• completed undergraduate studies (B. A.) in a discipline relevant to the topic
• interest in Jewish history and culture

For a complete application, please submit the following documents:

• detailed letter of application (mentioning your motivation, your previous study focus, your desired fields of work at the IGdJ, and the intended internship period)
• résumé
• B.A. degree certificate (or equivalent)

For more information, please contact:

Dr. Björn Siegel
Phone: +49 (0)40 42838-2935
E-mail: bjoern.siegel[at]igdj-hh.de
Office hours: by appointment
[[Twitter]]@BjoernSiegel