Professorship (W3) for Modern History with a focus on Contemporary History in conjunction with the position of academic director at the Research Center for Contemporary History in Hamburg (FZH)
Institution: Faculty of Humanities, in a joint academic search procedure with the Research Center for Contemporary History in Hamburg (FZH)
Commencement of duties: 1 April 2028
Application deadline: 2026-11-05
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 Research Center for Contemporary History in Hamburg (FZH) is a foundation under civil law supported by the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg and a scientific institution of the University of Hamburg. The FZH conducts research into the twentieth century with a particular focus on the history of Hamburg and Northern Germany. See zeitgeschichte-hamburg.de/home.html for more information.
Responsibilities
The Faculty of Humanities is seeking a professor (W3) of modern history with a focus on contemporary history. Half of the position (50 percent) is based in the Department of History, where the professor is responsible for teaching and research in the field of contemporary history. The other half of the position (50 percent) is devoted to the position of academic director at the Research Center for Contemporary History in Hamburg (FZH).
In addition to research and teaching in the field of modern history with a focus on contemporary history, the professor is also tasked with:
- 4.5 teaching hours
- overseeing examinations and actively participating in the training of teacher training students
- Section 12 subsection 7 sentence 2 of the Hamburg higher education act (HmbHG) applies
- responsibilities at the FZH include, above all, chairing the foundation in accordance with Section 7 of the foundation’s statues and conducting independent research on recent and contemporary history
Your profile
We expect:
- a track record of outstanding, international research in modern history with a focus on contemporary history as well as relevant outstanding publications
- extensive experience in acquiring external funding and the ability to conduct project work in the field of history
- sound leadership qualities and very good communication skills; short-listed candidates will be assessed through an assessment procedure
We also expect:
- organizational and leadership experience
- proficiency in German to C1 level. Language proficiency may be obtained within the first 2 years of employment. The University of Hamburg is happy to assist you.
Ideally, you will also have:
- experience in non-university research institutions
University of Hamburg
The University of Hamburg and the Research Center for Contemporary History in Hamburg value gender equality, diversity, and finding a balance between family life and working or studying. Integrating these values into teaching and management is expected. We also value diversity and encourage women, people with a disability, and those from diverse ethnic backgrounds to apply.
Severely disabled and disabled applicants with the same status will receive preference over equally qualified nondisabled applicants.
We offer our professors the opportunity to research and teach at the highest level. The University of Hamburg and the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg also provide:
Application and appointment procedure
Upload all supporting documents as a single PDF:
- cover letter
- CV
- publication list
- proof of teaching experience (e.g., as a list of courses)
- proof of experience and success with acquiring and conducting externally funded projects
- certificates and supporting documents
- 3 representative publications
- description of teaching and research plans
- evaluations, where available
- further documentation such as talks, posters, and important roles in organizations, where available
If you have technical problems, contact bewerbungen@uni-hamburg.de.
Short-listed candidates will be evaluated by an assessment center. Further information on the academic search procedure is available at www.uni-hamburg.de/appointment-procedure.
The appointment requirements and professorial duties are determined by the relevant regulations (particularly Sections 15, 18 and 12 subsection 7 Hamburg higher education act [Hamburgisches Hochschulgesetz]). Read more about privacy during the selection procedure.
Notice regarding the background check under Section 34a of the Hamburg security clearance act (Gesetz zur Regelung der Sicherheitsüberprüfungen, HmbSÜG): On behalf of the person chosen in the selection procedure, this office submits an inquiry to the state office for the protection of the constitution (Landesamt für Verfassungsschutz) regarding any available findings/information which meet the statutory requirements (background check and data protection information).
