Call For Applications

Call for applications for 2 postdoctoral positions (65% TV-L 13) at the University of Potsdam commencing on 1 February 2027. Information on how to apply is provided here. The deadline for applications is 30 September 2026.

Decision on PhD positions

Earlier this year, we invited applications for twelve PhD positions at the University of Melbourne and the University of Potsdam. We will notify successful candidates by mid-September.

What is the IRTG Cultures of Repair?

The International Research Training Group (IRTG) Cultures of Repair is a doctoral training programme jointly convened by members of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Potsdam, Germany and the Faculty of Arts at The University of Melbourne, Australia. Co-funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and The University of Melbourne, the IRTG aims to facilitate doctoral degrees within the framework of a focused research programme and a structured training strategy.

The IRTG offers its doctoral researchers

• international supervision in the fields of anglophone literary studies, postcolonial studies, cultural studies, gender studies, queer studies, media studies, and history
• a structured qualification programme built around two years of co-location, including one year in Melbourne and one year in Potsdam. The programme includes jointly taught research seminars, colloquia, summer schools, and workshops at both institutions, complemented by targeted training in areas such as research integrity, academic publishing, and public engagement
• a jointly awarded PhD degree from the University of Potsdam and the University of Melbourne upon successful completion of the programme

It also hosts two postdoctoral researchers, who contribute to the IRTG's research activities and intellectual community.

Programme Timeline

For doctoral researchers, the programme will run from February 2027 to July 2030. Doctoral researchers in the programme will enrol at either the University of Potsdam or the University of Melbourne as their home institution. As part of the joint qualification programme, they will spend one full year at the respective partner institution: doctoral researchers enrolled at the University of Potsdam will undertake a research stay at the University of Melbourne from July 2027 to June 2028, while doctoral researchers enrolled at the University of Melbourne will spend a year at the University of Potsdam from July 2028 to June 2029. Researchers who successfully write and defend their PhD thesis will receive qualification from both institutions.

Postdoctoral researchers will be based at the University of Potsdam for the duration of their appointments from February 2027 to January 2032. While they will collaborate closely with colleagues at both partner institutions and participate fully in the IRTG's research and training activities, the programme does not include an extended period of residence at The University of Melbourne.