PhD Researcher

PhD Researcher

The Department of History of the University of Zurich, Switzerland, is one of the leading history departments in continental Europe (fifteen chairs). It is home to about 150 scholars who teach and do research as well as to almost 2,000 students (BA, MA, PhD).

PhD Researcher

The successful applicant will join the Swiss National Science Foundation-Ambizione research group “A War Without End? The Legacy of the Cold War in Russia” led by Dr. Vassily Klimentov. The supervisors of the PhD will be Prof. Dr. Jeronim Perovic, Dr. Vassily Klimentov, and Prof. Dr. Martin Dusinberre.

The “A War Without End” project, located at the intersection of history, sociology and international relations, explores the memory of the Cold War in Russia after the break-up of the Soviet Union and how it became formative of national identity. It examines how the assessment of the Cold War evolved from the Boris Yeltsin to the Vladimir Putin eras while it integrated collective memory and what role the memory of the Cold War has played in developing and supporting national narratives. It analyses how the Cold War has featured in Russian public discourse and society since 1992 and how Russian far-right, leftist, nationalist, liberal, Orthodox and other ideological groups and mnemonic communities such as Soviet-Afghan War veterans, former communist elites and victims of Soviet repressions have taken hold of the Cold War. In parallel, it examines these groups' social prominence and influence on the Kremlin. It asks how understanding Russian elites' complex relationship to the Cold War's legacy helps make sense of Russia's neo-imperial policies in Ukraine and elsewhere.

The PhD project focuses on how Russian history textbooks have treated the Cold War. It will examine Russian history textbooks production and their representation of the Cold War since 1992. It will at the same time engage with the broader topic of the instrumentalization of history for political legitimacy in Russia over the past thirty years. The project will furthermore deal with broader methodological and theoretical experts as it explores how collective memory and history interact. The successful applicant will conduct their independent research project with the support of Dr. Vassily Klimentov and Prof. Dr. Jeronim Perovic.

The successful applicant will contribute to the collaborative aspect of the project, including academic and public outreach activities at international conferences, online content curation, and, the possibility of co-authored publications.

• Outstanding undergraduate and postgraduate training in history, international relations, or a related field (MA awarded when the appointment begins)
• Experience in conducting historical research on the post-Soviet space
• Excellent command of Russian
• Excellent command of English
• Excellent research and organizational skills
• Ability to work in a research group

Interested applicants should send their cover letter, CV, certificates of higher education (BA and MA academic transcripts), and an academic writing sample in English (up to 20 pages) in a single PDF file.

Applicants are also responsible for ensuring that two confidential academic letters of reference are sent by the application deadline.

We offer varied and interesting work in an inspiring and socially relevant environment. Diversity and inclusion are important to us. This position offers attractive working conditions, including dedicated office space, an annual research allowance, and excellent UZH research resources. The salary is according to the guidelines of the Swiss National Science Foundation.

Dr. Vassily Klimentov