PhD Candidate 75%
Universität Bern
Bern
Key information
- Publication date:16 January 2026
- Workload:75%
- Place of work:Bern
Job summary
Join the Historisches Institut at the University of Bern for a unique PhD opportunity. Engage in groundbreaking research on Soviet prisoners' experiences in Switzerland during WWII.
Tasks
- Conduct research on the repatriation of Soviet prisoners to the USSR.
- Present findings at workshops and publish in academic journals.
- Collaborate with the project team and assist with administrative tasks.
Skills
- A Master's degree in History or Eastern European Studies is required.
- Proficiency in German, Russian (or Ukrainian), and English is essential.
- Experience with archival research and a keen interest in WWII history.
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Historical Institute
Start of employment: September 1, 2026
Fixed-term: 4 years (48 months)
At the Historical Institute of the University of Bern, a doctoral position is to be filled within the framework of the research project funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) "The Forgotten Fates of Soviet Prisoners of War and Forced Labourers in Switzerland: Escape from Extreme Violence to Swiss Internment and Repatriation to the Soviet Union." The project is led by Prof. Dr. Julia Richers (Chair of Modern General and East European History) and Dr. habil. Carmen Scheide (Lecturer in the History of Eastern Europe).
The project systematically examines for the first time the history of the internment of around 12,000 Soviet refugees in Switzerland during the Second World War. The basis consists of extensive Swiss archival holdings that have hardly been evaluated so far, supplemented by German and Soviet sources. The project is divided into four subprojects with the following thematic focuses: (1) Flight and reception in Switzerland; (2) Everyday life in internment; (3) Repatriation and further fates; (4) Digital data and visualization project, which for the first time aims to enable full-circle mapping of individual biographies from German capture through internment in Switzerland to repatriation to the USSR.
Tasks
As a doctoral candidate, you will work on subproject 3 on the topic "Diplomatic Challenges and Journey into the Unknown: Repatriation to the Soviet Union." This subproject examines the diplomatic negotiations and organization of repatriation to the Soviet Union as well as the role of various actors (Swiss authorities, third countries, Soviet military mission, and the internees themselves) under conditions of intense political influence and in the context of international agreements. The focus is a critical analysis of the repatriation process considering voluntariness and involuntariness or questions of resistance and alternatives. Another focus is on the individual fates after returning to the Soviet Union, especially on Soviet filtration processes, renewed internment, forced labor, control, and stigmatization in the Stalinist system.
The tasks include in particular:
- Conducting the relevant research and completing the dissertation within the project duration
- Presenting research results in workshops, colloquia, and conferences
- Publishing at least one scientific article in a journal or volume (open access)
- Collaborative, appreciative, and productive teamwork within the project team
- Supporting project-related administrative tasks, especially organizing workshops and conferences
- Presence on site as well as participation in the daily life and activities of the Historical Institute
Requirements
- Very good master's degree in history or East European studies
- Very good knowledge of German, Russian (or Ukrainian), and English
- Experience with archival work desired as well as willingness to conduct research trips (including to foreign archives)
- Interest in the topic of the Second World War, Eastern Europe/Switzerland, knowledge of historical methods, and willingness to learn digital history methods
- Independent, structured, and reliable working style as well as strong teamwork skills
- Motivation for academic qualification
We offer
- Four-year academic qualification position with the goal of a doctorate
- Stimulating and collegial working atmosphere in a committed team
- Scientific expertise, close supervision, and supportive feedback culture
- Well-equipped infrastructure in a project office as well as project funds for research trips
- Employment conditions and remuneration according to SNSF guidelines and the regulations of the University of Bern
Application and contact
Please submit your application by March 1, 2026 directly via the University of Bern's online job portal. The application should be submitted as a single PDF file and include the following documents:
- Motivation letter
- Curriculum vitae
- Copies of certificates / transcripts
- Brief outline of dissertation interest in subproject 1 (approx. 2 pages)
- Writing sample (e.g., excerpt from the master's thesis) of 10-20 pages
- Names and contact details of 2 referees
Interviews are expected to take place on March 30, 2026 (by invitation).
For technical inquiries about the position, please contact Dr. habil. Carmen Scheide, carmen.scheide@unibe.ch. For administrative questions, please contact Andrea Häfeli, andrea.haefeli@unibe.ch
