The Centre for German-Jewish Studies at the University of Sussex is pleased to offer a 3-year Clemens N. Nathan PhD Scholarship for an outstanding doctoral candidate wishing to pursue a research project in the field of modern Jewish history and culture. Highly motivated current and prospective graduates with an outstanding academic record and a strong interest in the relevant topics are encouraged to apply. While diverse fields of investigation are currently open, we encourage projects in the following areas:

• History and memory, with special emphasis on the second and third generation
• Jewish identities and the question of integration
• Diaspora, migration and transnational history
• Human rights and the refugee question
• Israel studies
• Holocaust studies
• Holocaust education

Founded over 20 years ago, the Centre for German-Jewish Studies at the University of Sussex is one of a few research institutions devoted to the interdisciplinary study of the history and culture of Jews in German-speaking lands since the Enlightenment. Given its location, a key objective of the Centre is to research the history of emigration of German-speaking Jews to other cultural contexts and the appreciation of the German-Jewish legacy worldwide. Pride in his German-Jewish heritage prompted Clemens N. Nathan to become involved in the work of the Centre for German-Jewish Studies. A committed supporter of the Centre and one of the founding members of its London-based Support Group, he died in June 2015.

Over the years the Centre for German-Jewish Studies has attracted the deposit of various collections that reflect the study of political, cultural, economic, academic and everyday life of Jewish refugees and their families to the United Kingdom. This testimony to life histories of German-Jewish families in turbulent times exemplifies both the attempted synthesis of Jewish and German cultures in German-speaking countries and the acculturation of German-Jewish refugees in Britain. The Centre archive is hosted at The Keep http://www.thekeep.info/german-jewish-collections/ and would make an excellent source base for a PhD research project.

The successful candidate will be expected to participate in the manifold research activities of the Centre which include lectures, international conferences, a Summer School for PhD students amongst other events.

Type of award

Postgraduate Research scholarship

Award amount

3 years PhD funding covering UK/EU fees (overseas students to pay the difference in fees) plus a stipend to cover living expenses (£14,057 p.a. for 2016/17).

Eligibility

Hold a Master’s degree upon start of the PhD programme

Application procedure

The recipient of this scholarship will be enrolled in the doctoral programme in the School of History, Art History and Philosophy at the University of Sussex. All applications should be submitted through the Sussex University postgraduate website. Please indicate on your application that you wish to be considered for the Clemens N. Nathan PhD Scholarship. Further information on application procedures can be found at: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/pg/applying/2016entry

Please include the following in your application:

• Research proposal (2,500 words). Guidelines on what to include in a research proposal are available on the History department webpages – http://www.sussex.ac.uk/history/postgraduate/researchproposal
• CV
• A statement of purpose and motivation (500 words)
• A copy of your MA diploma
• Two letters of recommendation

Time schedule

Application deadline: 31 January 2017. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in February 2017.

Please contact Dr Gideon Reuveni (g.reuveni@sussex.co.uk) with any queries.