Semester Fellowship “War and Conflict Dynamics in Eastern Europe” (September 2026 – February 2027)
The University of Bern’s Eastern European Studies programme is offering a semester fellowship for the autumn semester 2026 in the field of “War and Conflict Dynamics in Eastern Europe”.
The joint Eastern European Studies programme of the universities of Bern and Fribourg provides an interdisciplinary approach to history, politics, cultures, languages and societies of Eastern Europe and has a decidedly interdisciplinary focus on contemporary issues. Its focus on “War and Conflict Dynamics in Eastern Europe”, which is supported by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), builds on this and aims to establish an international network of experts and promote research projects from and about the conflict regions of Eastern and South-Eastern Europe. It further promotes academic exchange and networking among young researchers in order to build expertise on topics related to conflict and conflict transformation research with a focus on Eastern, Central and South-Eastern Europe.
This call for the semester fellowship (September 2026 to February 2027) is addressed to advanced researchers from a discipline in the humanities or social sciences who specialise in researching one or more conflict areas in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe and notably the former Soviet space. Applications from social anthropology, history, sociology, political science, cultural studies, as well as interdisciplinary projects are particularly welcome.
Application requirements include an advanced university degree in one of the above-mentioned disciplines, an ongoing research project that makes a substantial contribution to a better understanding of conflicts in Eastern, East Central and South-Eastern Europe, experience in university teaching and a willingness to teach a one-semester course (2 hrs per week) at the University of Bern in the autumn semester of 2026, as well as very good English language skills.
The semester fellowship provides remuneration in accordance with cantonal guidelines (University of Bern), a welcoming team and a vibrant community of researchers at the Eastern European Studies programme in Bern and Fribourg, support for networking within the faculty and the university, a professional workplace, use of infrastructure, and opportunities to participate in conferences and other events.
Please send your application by email as a single PDF to Dr. Cécile Druey (cecile.druey@unibe.ch ) by 31 March 2026. Please include the following with your application: 1) CV including list of publications; 2) letter of motivation with details of your research area and teaching experience; 3) project outline for your current research project in the field of conflict studies (max. 3 pages); 4) copies of your university degree and doctoral degree certificates, as well as proof of English language proficiency; 5) a concept (max. 2 pages) for a one-semester course (2 hrs/week); 6) two references, including name, contact details and role in relation to the applicant; 7) optional: one published article or essay.
Application until 31 March 2026 (by e-mail) and contact:
Dr. Cécile Druey
University of Bern, Eastern European Studies, History Department Länggassstrasse 49
3012 Bern, Switzerland
cecile.druey@unibe.ch
