The

Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography (IfL) is seeking qualified candidates for the
position of a

Postdoctoral researcher (1,0 E 13 TVL)

within its "Regional Geographies of Europe" department. The IfL is a member institute of the Leibniz
Association and is cofunded by the Free State of Saxony and the Federal Republic of Germany
through a joint institutional research funding agreement.

The position is part of the cooperation and research project Spatial Dynamics of Marshrutkas in
Central Asia and the Caucasus, funded by the Volkswagen Foundation. The project joins the research
cluster on "Productions of Space: state and society", and tackles the relevance of the marshrutkas
mobility phenomenon for the postSoviet production of urban spaces and the emergence of new
spatially relevant orders in the fields of economy, morale, urban development and migration. The
postdoc is meant to provide a crosscutting perspective on this topic and ensure the conceptual
coherence of the overall project.

The tasks include:
development of a theory framework for a research of spatial relevance of mobility and
infrastructures in transformation processes, as outlined in the project proposal;
development of theoretical and methodological perspectives for a transnational comparative
analysis of subproject results;
own, comparative, research in close cooperation with project partners;
coordination of the research network (eleven partners, five PhDs at universities in Germany,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan), as well as organisation of workshops and
summer schools in cooperation with the project manager;
presentation of results through conference participation and publications, other
knowledge transfer and outreach activities.

We offer you:
a threeyear, full time position with flexible working arrangements, a positive work climate
and highly motivated project teams;
the possibility for implementing own ideas within the cooperation and research project
on Spatial Dynamics of Marshrutkas in Central Asia and the Caucasus.
We expect:
a university diploma in humanities or social sciences (human geography, ethnology,
sociology, Eastern European sciences or the like) and a completed highquality PhD,
thematically connected to the research project;
relevant research experience in space and mobility research in a postSoviet context;
Communication skills and project management experience in international projects;
international peerreviewed publications;
very good knowledge of qualitative research methods, particularly with regard to
transnational comparative research;

very good knowledge of theories on mobility, transformation and urban research in a post
Soviet context;
very good knowledge of English and Russian languages. Knowledge of German and further
languages of the target region are welcome.

The position requires frequent travelling to the target region and beyond. We look for a proactive,
motivated, autonomous and clearheaded person with a welldeveloped team spirit and innovation
skills.
For further questions, please contact:





Deadline:

Wladimir Sgibnev (w_sgibnev@iflleipzig.de)

15 June 2015

The IfL pursues a policy of gender equality, and has received the Total EQuality award for its
achievements. We explicitly welcome candidatures of qualified women. Applications from equally
qualified persons with disabilities will be preferentially considered for the position.

Please send your application package with all relevant documents and certificates (1pdf document,
max. 20 p.), including a copy of one relevant scientific article (1 pdf document), as email attachment
to personal@iflleipzig.de.

Information on the Leibniz association
at www.leibniz-gemeinschaft.de