The DFG Collaborative Research Centre ‘Re-Figuration of Spaces’ (SFB 1265) has committed itself to researching the comprehensive spatial reorganisations caused by the intensification of transnational forms of economic activity, upheavals in global political geography, the development and spread of digital communication technologies, and the increase in the global circulation of people and goods since the late 1960s.

Subproject C01, “Borders of the World,” based at TU Berlin and lead by Steffen Mau (HU Berlin) and Johanna Hoerning (TU Berlin), has been able to analyse the macrostructural dimensions of borders and border conflicts in the previous funding phases. In the third funding phase, we turn our attention to border conflicts that affect specific individuals and the location of their bodies: deportations. These not only involve negotiations of societal lines of conflict and territorial expulsion, but also the formation of location-specific collective ideas and exclusionary practices from local contexts. Local border regimes in conflicts over deportation are being investigated in Germany and Australia.
There is the possibility of working toward a doctorate in the field of the research project.

• Substantive and organisational collaboration on the above-mentioned research project
• Conducting one of the two case studies (Germany or Australia) and supporting the cross-country comparison
• Participating in the scientific activities of the Collaborative Research Centre

• Successfully completed university degree (Master, Diplom or equivalent) in sociology or social sciences
• Strong research interest in the fields of border and migration studies as well as in the sociology of inequality and space
• Good knowledge of German and/or English required; willingness to acquire the respective missing language skills.
• Ability to work independently and in a team advantageous
• Knowledge of spatial and urban sociology desirable
• Very good knowledge of qualitative methods of social research desirable

Please send your application, quoting the reference number, with the following documents:

• Letter of motivation (max. 1.5 pages)
• CV
• Exposé for a PhD project within the field of border and deportation studies (max. 3 pages)
• Graduation certificates

as a single PDF file (max. 5 MB) only by e-mail to Prof. Dr. Johanna Hoerning (hoerning@tu-berlin.de).

By submitting your application via email you consent to having your data electronically processed and saved. Please note that we do not provide a guaranty for the protection of your personal data when submitted as unprotected file. Please find our data protection notice acc. DSGVO (General Data Protection Regulation) at the TU staff department homepage: https://www.abt2-t.tu-berlin.de/menue/themen_a_z/datenschutzerklaerung/.

To ensure equal opportunities between women and men, applications by women with the required qualifications are explicitly desired. Qualified individuals with disabilities will be favored. The TU Berlin values the diversity of its members and is committed to the goals of equal opportunities. Applications from people of all nationalities and with a migration background are very welcome.