A major new initiative in German academe is underway, in the form of an ‘excellence cluster’ entitled
‘Topoi – The Formation and Transformation of Space and Knowledge in Ancient Civilizations‘.
Within this scheme the Free University of Berlin have just invited applications for a Professorship in Ancient Near Eastern Archaeology, for 4 Junior Fellows, for 20 fully-funded PhD studentships, and for 4 post-doctoral awards.
See attached for more. See also http://www.topoi-berlin.de/

A graduate student group “Landscapes” is envisioned within Excellence Cluster 264 “Topoi – The Formation and Transformation of Space and Knowledge in Ancient Civilizations”, which has been set up in the framework of the Excellence Initiative at the Freie Universität Berlin and the Humboldt-Universität Berlin. Within this graduate student group,
10 doctoral stipends
and 2 postdoctoral stipends
are being offered.
The support for the doctoral students generally lasts up to three years (two plus one), for the postdoctoral stipends generally for up to two years. The prerequisite for doctoral students is an outstanding university degree in one of the fields relevant to the theme (archaeology or geo-sciences), for the postdoctoral grants a doctoral thesis far above average in one of the disciplines participating in the Research Area. The support is to begin on April 1st 2008. Information on the proposed projects, the profile expected of applicants, the amount of the stipend, and the supervising research group can be found at:
http://www.topoiberlin.de
Along with the customary application documents (cv, grade transcripts, two letters of recommendation), an outline of the intended research is expected that is oriented toward the proposed projects.
Please send your applications by Jan. 31, 2008 to:
Freie Universität Berlin
Exzellenzcluster 264 Topoi
Sprecherin der Research Area A
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Brigitta Schütt
Physische Geographie
Institut für Geographische Wissenschaften
FB Geowissenschaften, FU Berlin
Maltheserstr. 74-100, Haus H, 12249 Berlin, Germany