Research Associate for the Project “The Hidden Weapon. Blockade in the Era of the two World Wars (BLOCKADE)” European Research Council Project, Postdoctoral Position, § 28 Subsection 3 HmbHG

Institution: Faculty of Humanities, Department of History

Salary level: EGR. 13 TV-L

Start date: 01.05.2026 or as soon as possible thereafter, fixed for a period of four years (This is a fixed-term contract in accordance with Section 2 of the academic fixed-term labor contract act [Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz, WissZeitVG]).

Application deadline: 2026-03-09

Scope of work: full-time position suitable for part-time

BLOCKADE (ERC Synergy Grant #101166983) explores the blockades in the era of the First and Second World Wars, including their preparation and their aftermaths. In these total wars, the Allies imposed a global blockade on their enemies, and the Central and Axis powers responded with blockades of their own. Over a period of six years, the BLOCKADE team, based in Trondheim, Hamburg, Amsterdam and Freiburg, will analyse the impact of blockades on households, states, corporations and the international order; on the development of political and military strategy; on how the wars were prepared, experienced and remembered; and on how peace was made. BLOCKADE sets out to prove that these blockades are crucial to understanding not only the way the world wars were fought but also their globality and totality, their immediate effects and their long-term global repercussions. More information can be found on the project website .

Your responsibilities

Duties include academic services in the project named above. Research associates may also pursue further academic qualifications outside of their work responsibilities.

Contribute to the project by carrying out research of high ambition and excellent quality.
Publish at least two articles relating to your work-package in peer-reviewed journals.
Publish at least one chapter in the project’s Handbook of Blockade History and help with the coordination and editing of that handbook.
Actively participate in the research and outreach activities of BLOCKADE.
Contribute to the research reporting to the funding body.
Actively participate in the project’s workshops, seminars and conferences as well as in organizing and hosting those events taking place in Hamburg.
Help organize BLOCKADE’s (online) research and reading seminars.
Contribute to data collection (qualitative and quantitative primary sources) for the central database located in Amsterdam.
There is no teaching obligation associated with the position.

The postdoctoral research associate will work within Work Package (WP) 4: Learning // Un-learning. This WP investigates the dynamics between learning and unlearning in creating, maintaining and experiencing the blockade and its (after)effects. It is to establish the impact of blockade on state and company preparation for war, the evolution of knowledge on nutrition, substitution, and free trade, and the formation of powerful myth narratives about hunger and victimhood.

The research associate will focus on WP4.2 Learning, unlearning and relearning in two postwar periods. This work package will determine the repercussions of blockade in the interwar and postwar period, focusing on the shift from the autarky and discriminatory trade policies of the 1930s to trade liberalization after 1945. Already in 1941, the Atlantic Charter contained little-known economic clauses heralding the abandonment of autarky and discriminatory trade. It informed both the future United Nations and especially the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT – today the World Trade Organization). Britain and the US thus ‘relearned’ the value of trade liberalization and international institutions. The main beneficiaries after 1945 were the industrialized nations, while developing countries criticized continuing trade discrimination. Sources will include the files of national economic ministries (e.g., in the UK, USA, South America or Africa) and international organizations. Within this project on international trade the research associate is free to select the appropriate countries and international organizations, using a transnational and comparative approach.

Your profile

A university degree in a relevant field, plus doctorate.

Master’s degree and doctorate in modern history, economic history, or a closely related discipline.
If you are in the final phase of your doctorate and can document that the thesis has been submitted or that the defence date has been confirmed, your application can be considered even if you have not defended. NOTE: documentation of the degree must be presented before you can take up the position.
Solid knowledge of international economic and political history in the period 1929-1960.
Experience in using archive sources.
Excellent oral and written presentation skills in English (equivalent to level B2).
Excellent reading skills in the languages of the countries to be examined in the postdoctoral project (equivalent to level B2).
Enthusiasm about the project and about working in a team.
Prior knowledge of the historiography and primary sources related to the period of the Second World War is desirable.
Publication record in international journals is desirable.

We offer

Reliable remuneration based on wage agreements

Continuing education opportunities

University pensions

Attractive location

Flexible working hours

Work-life balance opportunities

Health management, EGYM Wellpass

Educational leave

30 days of vacation per annum

Experience in an exciting, multi-location international research project.
Generous travel and conference funds and opportunity to invite guest scholars.
Opportunity for intellectual growth and career advancement including a wide variety of training, mentoring and professional development offerings available at the university.
Open, inclusive and supportive work environment with committed colleagues.
The chance to work in an attractive city at one of Germany’s leading research universities.

Universität Hamburg—University of Excellence is one of the strongest research educational institutions in Germany. Our work in research, teaching, educational and knowledge exchange activities is fostering the next generation of responsible global citizens ready to tackle the global challenges facing us. Our guiding principle “Innovating and Cooperating for a Sustainable Future in a digital age” drives collaboration with academic and nonacademic partner institutions in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region and around the world. We would like to invite you to be part of our community to work with us in creating sustainable and digital change for a dynamic and pluralist society.

The University of Hamburg is committed to equity. Diversity enriches our university life, whether in our studies, research, teaching, education, or workplace. We therefore welcome all applications, regardless of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic or social background, age, religion or belief, disability, or chronic illness.

Severely disabled and disabled applicants with the same status will receive preference over equally qualified non-disabled applicants.

Instructions for applying

Contact

Prof. Dr. Alan Kramer

Location

Von-Melle-Park 6
20146 Hamburg

Reference number

Application deadline

2026-03-09

Use only the online application form to submit your application with the following documents:

A letter of motivation detailing your prior experience and explaining why you want to work on this project.
A research plan for your proposed research project, including select bibliography (max. 1500 words). It should address aspects of the project that you are particularly interested to develop.
A full academic CV.
Up to 3 academic works - published or unpublished – as writing samples.
Name and contact details of two referees to be contacted for references.
Grade transcripts and copies of certificates for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD degrees.

If you experience technical problems, send an email to .

More information on in selection procedures.