The ERC Synergy Grant project The Cultures of the Cryosphere. Infrastructures, Politics and Futures of Artificial Cooling (CultCryo) at KWI Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities, University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) is seeking to fill a position at the next possible date as a Postdoctoral Researcher in History of Culture and Technology (f/m/d), (salary group 13 TV-L, 100%, ~60 months).
Start of employment: as soon as possible
Duration of employment: until 2030-08-31
Working time: 39 hours 50 min. (100 %) (part time is possible)
Application deadline: 17th of November 2025
We are seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher (f/m/d) with expertise in modern and/or contemporary history of technology to study the historical dynamics and spatial features of the planetary cryosphere and its connected values and practices.
The ideal candidate has a strong profile in historical research with qualifications in comparative analysis and archival research as well as a proven record of engaging with concepts and theories of technology and space. The research will primarily concentrate on the spatial dynamics of artificial cooling since the Cold War, including mappings of cold chains for food and biomedicine as well as air conditioning and IT infrastructures.
We are looking for a researcher with a completed PhD degree in history, media studies, STS or other relevant disciplines and/or in relevant fields of the humanities and environmental sciences. The candidate's Ph.D. thesis must have been submitted by the application deadline. It is not necessary to have prior knowledge of the field of artificial cooling, even if this is preferable. The chosen candidate is expected to develop and pursue individual research within the context of the project as well as collaborating with researchers in other disciplines such as geography, ethnography or computer science to co-develop a first mapping of the spatial extension of the cryosphere and its historical development: a planetary atlas of artificial cold. Tasks also include to integrate findings and analysis into the public project archive and to engage in scientific dissemination and publication. The workplace is the KWI Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities in Essen (Germany), with regular participation in local and international project meetings, expeditions, and workshops (including travel to the Americas, Asia, and Australia).
For more info on the position see here.
The ERC Synergy project 'The Cultures of the Cryosphere. Infrastructures, Politics and Futures of Artificial Cooling (CultCryo)' investigates the cultural preconditions and consequences of the use of artificial cold. With a globally networked system of cold storage facilities, nitrogen tanks, cold chains, and air-conditioned spaces, the global use of cooling and freezing technologies enables modern life on both biological and social levels ?for example, in the areas of food supply, medicine, air conditioning, and data processing. Despite its far-reaching socio-ecological impacts, the enormously energy-intensive planetary "cryosphere" has not yet been systematically researched. The interdisciplinary research project consists of several international research groups working in close cooperation. For more information, please visit: www.cryocultures.org <http://www.cryocultures.org/>
