PhD post, 2017-2020, Strasbourg, deadline June 25, 2017
Object: Call for applications for a vacant PhD post, to study the “History of the
Medical Faculty at the Reichsuniversität Strassburg
1941-1944”.
Duration: 2017-2020
PhD post: Gross annual salary: 27,150 Euros
Title of thesis project: Between the laboratory and the clinic: Clinical research at the
Medical Faculty of the Reichsuniversität Strassburg
in connection with the hôpital
civil (civil hospital)
Summary:
The need to pursue academic and historical research focusing on the
Medizinische
Fakultät of the Reichsuniversität Strassburg resurfaced in 2015 following the discovery
of remains of a Jewish concentration camp victim in a University of Strasbourg
collection. In response, from September 27, 2016 onwards , the Université de
Strasbourg established an independent historical commission for a four-year period to
undertake scientific work, so as to shed new light on the unknown history of the
institution. This project includes a three-year PhD contract at the Université de
Strasbourg for thesis work in History/History of Science, concerning the founding and
functioning of the Medizinische Fakultät of the Reichsuniversität Strassburg
during the
period 1941-1944.
The thesis project will cover ideas, institutions and practices at the so called “Reich
University” and cover medical crimes and their victims. The thesis research will cover
the clinical research jointly conducted by the Medical Faculty of the
Reichsuniversität
Strassburg and l’hôpital civil
, given that such elements have been completely
neglected to date. The intention of the thesis is to document and research the scientific
and political activities of clinic members and representatives of the Medical Faculty of
the Reichsuniversität Strassburg (1941-1944) in as much detail as possible, unhindered
and impartially, particularly in the area of surgery (Zukschwerdt) and in connection with
experimental pathology (Klinge), paediatrics (Hofmeier), ENT (Nuehsmann) and internal
medicine (Stein). As noted in the then research funding records, several clinic directors
had their work subsidised by the Imperial Research Council (Reichsforschungsrat)
between 1941 and 1944.
The dissertation should cover the following problem areas.
1. Analysis of institutional strutures: persons, and the mobilisation of resources in their
interaction with scientific and epistemic dimensions of research in the context of
occupation and war conditions in Alsace.
2. Connections and networks of the medical faculty of the „Reichsuniversität
Straßburg“ relating to scientific, state, political and military agencies and institutions of
German rule over Europe.
3. The question of agency of the scientists under National Sozialism, including the
connections between the medical faculty of the „Reichsuniversität Straßburg“ to the
concentration camp of Natzweiler- Struthof.
4. The problem of continuity of academics at the „Reichsuniversität Straßburg“ from
prior to 1940 and after 1944/45.
The application deadline is June 25, 2017.
Interviews with shortlisted applicants are scheduled for
July 6, 2017, in Strasbourg
(either in person or via Skype/teleconference).
The contract is scheduled to start on September/October 1, 2017.
Application file
Applicants should preferably have a first degree in a relevant subject are a basic
grounding and a Master’s degree in History/History of Science/History of Medicine or
similar subjects and have worked with archives. German proficiency is strongly
recommended.
The thesis can be written in French, German or English.
Applications:
The historical commission stipulates that all applications must include:
- A cover letter
- A CV
- A 3-4 page thesis outline
- A chapter from your Master’s thesis or a published article
- A letter of recommendation
Application files should be sent to: gmoser@unistra.fr
For more information, please contact Dr. Gabriele Moser: gmoser@unistra.fr