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Faculty of East Asian Studies :
Department of Japanese History
In order to fill a fixed-term position in part-time (29.8725 hours/week = 75%) by October 1, 2026, we are looking for a
Doctoral Researcher (m/f/x) (TV-L E13, 75%) in the CRC project A05 „Narrating History under Censorship and Commerce: Warriors and Rulership in Popular Historical Fiction of Early Modern Japan“
The Collaborative Research Centre “Historical and Transcultural Narratology” (TRR 427), funded by the German Research Foundation, examines pre-modern (ancient, medieval, early modern) narratives from different cultural contexts with the aim of systematically and comparatively investigating the dynamics and functions of narratives in past contexts. The project, consisting of 19 PIs from 16 different disciplines, is based at the universities of Bochum, Bonn, and Freiburg. Subject to project approval
Within project A05, “Narrating History under Censorship and Commerce: Warriors and Rulership in Popular Historical Fiction of Early Modern Japan,” a part-time doctoral researcher position in Japanese Studies is available starting October 1, 2026. The position is fixed-term until June 30, 2030. The project investigates popular historical narratives in early modern Japan within the context of commercial publishing and political repression, using the Ehon Taikōki (絵本太閤記, “Illustrated Chronicles of the Regent”, 84 volumes, 1797–1802) as its principal case study. Through a comprehensive analysis of this work in comparison with other contemporary publications, the project seeks to determine how narrative techniques and strategies of popularization evolved over time under the influence of censorship. The research will combine methodological approaches involving AI-based tools with hermeneutic textual interpretation and intermedial perspectives that consider the relationship between text and image. The successful candidate (m/f/x) will pursue a doctoral degree on this topic and complete a dissertation in the form of a monograph, written either in German or in English.
Scope: part-time
Duration: fixed-term, June 30, 2030
Start: by October 1, 2026
Apply by: 2026-07-13
Your tasks:
- Writing a doctoral dissertation in German or English on narrative techniques in the Ehon Taikōki
- Contributing entries to the Digital Handbook of Transcultural Narratology
- Co-authoring at least one scholarly article in English together with the principal investigator
- Participating in working groups, workshops, and symposia organized within the framework of the Collaborative Research Centre/Transregio (CRC/TRR)
Your profile:
- Completed university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Japanese Studies
- Sound knowledge of the history and literature of early modern Japan
- Good command of premodern Japanese, particularly bungo
- Excellent written and spoken English proficiency
- Willingness to engage with and acquire expertise in digital methods of analysis as well as theoretical and methodological approaches to philological research
- Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team; flexibility, reliability, and a high level of commitment
- Since the position is funded exclusively by external third-party funding sources (DFG), there are no teaching obligations associated with the position
We offer:
- Interdisciplinary supervision and mentoring of the doctoral project
- Extensive opportunities for professional development and further training across the three participating universities
- A collaborative, team-oriented working environment within an academically outstanding, dedicated, international, and supportive research team
- Support in balancing family responsibilities and professional commitments
- A wide range of support services as well as opportunities for individual initiative and professional development
- Flexible working hours
Further information:
The position is salaried and based on the collective agreement of the Länder (TV-L). If the personal and collective agreement requirements are met, the employee will receive pay grade E13 TV-L.
Further information can be found at (in German).
The place of work is Ruhr University Bochum.
If the position is funded by third-party funds the employee has no teaching obligation.
Application materials: • Cover letter • CV • Academic transcripts and degree certificates • One to two writing samples (e.g. term paper, Master’s thesis, article, etc.)
RUB sees itself as a university with an international presence. The campus languages are German and English. Competence in at least one of the two languages and the willingness to learn the other are a prerequisite. RUB provides corresponding free courses for employees.
German language courses are offered by the University Language Center (ZFA) in the field of German as a Foreign Language (DaF). https://www.daf.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/sbgk/index.html.en
The Staff Council has the right to participate in all selection interviews. At the request of a candidate (m/f/x), it will ensure its participation in the entire procedure. Please contact wpr@rub.de.
The Ruhr-Universität Bochum is one of Germany’s leading research universities, addressing the whole range of academic disciplines. A highly dynamic setting enables researchers and students to work across the traditional boundaries of academic subjects and faculties. To create knowledge networks within and beyond the university is Ruhr-Universität Bochum’s declared aim.
The Ruhr-Universität Bochum stands for diversity and equal opportunities. For this reason, we favour a working environment composed of heterogeneous teams, and seek to promote the careers of individuals who are underrepresented in our respective professional areas. The Ruhr-Universität Bochum expressly requests job applications from women. In areas in which they are underrepresented they will be given preference in the case of equivalent qualifications with male candidates. Applications from individuals with disabilities are most welcome.
Contact persons for further information:
Christian Hebenbrock , Tel.: +49 234 32 21399
Scarlett Leonow , Tel.: +49 234 32 26189
Travel costs, accommodation costs and loss of earnings or other application costs for job interviews can unfortunately not be reimbursed.
We look forward to receiving your application via our online application portal by 2026-07-13. Please make sure to mention the reference number ANR 5808.
RUHR-UNIVERSITÄT BOCHUM
44801 Bochum
Universitätsstraße 150
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