The Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography in Leipzig, Germany, currently looks for a

Researcher (75 %, pay grade 13 TV-L, 36 months) (w/m/d)
in the research project “Goya’s Great Game” (DFG/German Research Foundation).

The IfL’s mission is to conduct basic geographical research in order to highlight social and spatial change processes and provide knowledge for sustainable and regionally balanced development. As a member of the Leibniz Association and the only non-university research institute for geography in Germany, the institute combines research and knowledge transfer.
The DFG-funded project “Goya’s Great Game. Practices of Geoeconomic Competition in the Globalized Art Market” examines the globalized market for high-value art goods as a field of geoeconomic competition in which state and non-state actors compete for influence, reputation, and regulatory advantages. Against the backdrop of Western dominance and state-sponsored trade and control strategies, the project analyzes how new art trade hubs and freeports emerge as nodes of global power shifts. At its core are two qualitative case studies based on interviews with key actors, document analysis, and participation in major industry events. The project brings together perspectives from economic and political geography, sociology of art, art history, and economic sociology. In doing so, it contributes to understandings how globalization, statehood, and geoeconomic competition are being renegotiated in the 21st century within a sensitive and often difficult-to-access market.
The successful candidate will be employed in a 75 % position (in accordance with DFG guidelines). The role will enable writing a doctoral dissertation within the project’s thematic field; this will be actively supported.

Job description
• Conducting the main project work
• Further developing the project’s conceptual and methodological framework
• Carrying out qualitative empirical research in two international case studies
• Comparative analysis of the case study findings
• Close coordination within the local project team and with international partners
• Contributing to the organization of project meetings, workshops, and specialist sessions
• Supervising student assistants
• Presenting and publishing the research results as part of a cumulative dissertation

We offer
• A 75 % position for 36 months, with the opportunity to pursue a relevant doctorate
• An interesting and varied field of work, with close supervision by the project leadership
• A collegial, international research environment
• Remuneration according to the German public sector pay scale (TV-L), depending on personal qualifications, including an annual special payment, capital-forming benefits, and occupational pension contributions (VBL)
• A subsidy for the public transport job ticket
• A family-friendly working environment with flexible working hours and the option of mobile working, in line with a workplace agreement on reconciling family and professional life

We expect
• A completed masters degree in a relevant discipline, such as geography, social sciences, cultural studies, economics, or political science
• An interest in questions of globalization and political geography
• Experience in familiarizing yourself with new contexts in international settings
• Willingness to be flexible in terms of time and location and to travel, including for empirical research and conference participation
• Good written and spoken German and very good written and spoken English.

In the operational phase, the practical implementation of the project will be closely tailored to the specific competencies and skills of the person appointed. Accordingly, in addition to the usual application documents (e.g. cover letter, CV, university certificates, any additional qualifications, and employment references), applicants are asked to submit a separate statement (max. 2 pages) outlining their experience or competencies with regard to the following criteria. Please include supporting documents where possible or name suitable referees:
• Sound knowledge of, and initial experience with, qualitative research methods, particularly data collection and analysis methods
• Experience in, or interest in, the field of the international art trade
• Language skills or international experience relating to the following countries: Switzerland, France, Belgium, Qatar, China, Singapore, or Saudi Arabia

Application
Please send your detailed and complete application by email in a PDF document of no more than 25 pages, quoting the reference “Goya” to: personal@leibniz-ifl.de
Please refrain from sending a photo with your application.

Information on the protection of your personal data can be found at https://leibniz-ifl.de/funktionen/datenschutz-sta
The IfL advocates professional equality for all genders. Severely disabled applicants are given preference in case of equal suitability.

Contact: Dr. Frank Meyer | f_meyer@leibniz-ifl.de

Applications: personal@leibniz-ifl.de