Two Doctoral Positions in the Research Field “Criticality and Ambivalence of Georesources”

The German Mining Museum Bochum (Deutsches Bergbau-Museum Bochum, DBM), Leibniz Research Museum for Georesources administered by the DMT-Gesellschaft für Lehre und Bildung mbH, invites applications for two doctoral positions (65% according to the in-house tariff, equivalent to TV-L 11) in Program Area I fundamental research, to begin at the earliest possible date.

The positions are limited to 36 months and may be extended for one additional year following a positive mid-term evaluation.

The DBM intends to deepen the understanding of criticality and ambivalence of georesources as part of its doctoral programme. From the first stone tool to today's complex technologies, mineral raw materials form the material foundation of social development. However, this fundamental dependence is characterised by a deep ambivalence. While mining and resource extraction enable economic prosperity and technological progress, they also leave lasting traces on landscapes, ecosystems and social systems. This tension between benefit and harm, between progress and destruction, characterises the criticality of georesources as a social and scientific problem. Possible topics may address questions of criticality in techno-ritual practices, socio-natural dynamics in mining landscapes, or the question of innovation and impacts in the transition to new technologies.

Responsibilities:

Completion of a doctoral dissertation within the thematic framework of “Criticality and Ambivalence of Georesources.”
Willingness to engage in interdisciplinary research.
Participation in and support of the research group’s projects, publications, and outreach activities.

Qualifications:

A university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Archaeological Sciences, History, Geosciences, or a related field.
Excellent methodological and analytical skills in the academic discipline in which the dissertation will be undertaken (archaeometallurgy, mining history, or mining archaeology), as well as a strong interest in interdisciplinary collaboration.
Quick comprehension and the ability to familiarize oneself rapidly with new topics.
Active participation in the activities of the working group, the research department, and the museum
Prior experience in handling digital research data; knowledge of R or a comparable statistical tool; familiarity with digital tools (e.g., reference management systems such as Zotero, Citavi, etc.).
Very good command of English (spoken and written) and good command of German.
Strong communication skills and the ability and willingness to work collaboratively in a team.

What We Offer:

Doctoral supervision at Ruhr University Bochum (Faculty of History or Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences).
High-level academic mentoring within the research department.
Integration into an internationally composed, highly motivated, and collegial research team.
A unique combination of university-based research and research within a museum setting.
Access to state-of-the-art chemical and analytical facilities.
Targeted support for personal development and opportunities for further professional qualification.
Flexible working time models to support work–life balance.
Attractive social benefits: 13th-month salary, vacation allowance, and capital-forming benefits.
An active works council and extensive additional benefits, including the pme family service, health days, company runs, and a collegial and appreciative working environment.

Compensation follows the DMT-LB in-house tariff and is comparable to pay grade E 11 of the German Länder collective agreement (TV-L).

If you feel addressed by this call, we look forward to receiving your application, consisting of a cover letter (max. 2 pages), a curriculum vitae, a sketch of a possible dissertation project (max. 3 pages), a writing sample (e.g., Master’s thesis, publication, or comparable document), and copies of your certificates, to be submitted by 7 January 2026 via the provided

For further information about the positions, please contact: Prof. Dr. Thomas Stöllner (Mining Archaeology; thomas.stoellner-at-bergbaumuseum.de), Prof. Dr. Tina Asmussen (Mining History; tina.asmussen-at-bergbaumuseum.de), Prof. Dr. Sabine Klein (Archaeometallurgy; sabine.klein-at-bergbaumuseum.de

You can find information about the German Mining Museum Bochum at www.bergbaumuseum.de.

“We, the DMT-LB, are a company active regionally, nationally, and internationally in the fields of science, education, and culture. We operate externally through two well-known and recognized institutions – the DBM and the TH Georg Agricola"

The DMT-LB strives for gender equality and diversity and therefore welcomes all applications – regardless of gender, disability, nationality, or ethnic and social background.