Professor of Early Modern History (W2) – Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Germany

Summary

Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg invites applications for a permanent, full-time (part-time possible) W2 Professorship in Early Modern History within the Institute for History and Digital Social Sciences and Humanities. The successful candidate will represent Early Modern History in full breadth, establish an independent third-party funded research area, and collaborate on the Academy project Prize Papers with potential leadership from 2030. Teaching covers Bachelor's, Master's, and teacher training programs, mainly in German. Applicants must meet §25 NHG requirements, show expertise in global historical interconnections and Digital Humanities, and possess strong German and English skills. The application deadline is November 15, 2026.

Key Facts

Department	Faculty IV – Human and Social Sciences, Institute for History, Digital Social Sciences and Humanities (DSSH)
Position Type	Professor
Discipline	History
Research Area	Early Modern History, Digital Humanities / Digital History
Degree Required	Appointment requirements according to §25 NHG
Experience	Demonstrated expertise in teaching and research in Early Modern History, work with culturally grounded historical methods, competencies in Digital Humanities/Digital History, successfully acquired competitive third-party funding, and experience supervising/promoting academic career development.
Salary	W2 grade
Funding	Funded with resources from zukunft.niedersachsen (Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture and Volkswagen Foundation)
Contract Duration	Permanent
Language	German and English
Deadline	2026-11-15
Required Documents	Two separate concepts (max. 3 pages each) covering connections to research/teaching focus areas and contribution to planned research focus
Employer Address	Ammerländer Heerstraße 114-118, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
Employer Contact	Prof. Dr. Almut Höfert

About the Project

The professorship is closely tied to Digital Humanities initiatives at UOL and collaborative research projects, including the Prize Papers project (2017–2037). The candidate will contribute to building the planned faculty research focus 'Entangled Cultures Digital and Reflexive Data Exploration' in collaboration with the professorship 'Knowledge Processes and Digital Media'.

Key Responsibilities

• Represent the history of the Early Modern period in research and teaching in full breadth
• Establish an independent research area within Early Modern History with third-party funding
• Collaborate on the Prize Papers Academy project with potential leadership starting in 2030
• Contribute to building the planned faculty research focus 'Entangled Cultures Digital and Reflexive Data Exploration'
• Offer courses primarily in German for teacher training, Bachelor's, and Master's programs
• Participate in the cooperation agreement between the Universities of Oldenburg and Bremen and in academic self-administration

Required Skills

• Expertise in research and teaching in Early Modern History with a focus on global interconnections
• Competencies in Digital Humanities / Digital History methods, applications, and data processes
• Proven track record of acquiring competitive third-party funding
• Very good English language skills and very good German language skills (or willingness to acquire German within two years)

Who Should Apply

Qualified scholars who meet Lower Saxony higher education law requirements (§25 NHG) and possess demonstrated expertise in teaching and research in Early Modern History with a global focus. Applicants should have established skills in Digital Humanities or Digital History methods, a track record in acquiring third-party funding, and proficiency in German and English.

Benefits

• Extensive service and consulting offers for research funding, international scientists, and work-life balance
• Further education opportunities across career levels and occupational health promotion services
• Certified family-friendly university environment

About the Employer

Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg's Institute for History covers all historical epochs with regional focus areas on comparative and interconnected history. It features international project collaborations and close links to digital humanities initiatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the application deadline for this professorship?

The application deadline is November 15, 2026.

What language requirements apply to this position?

Very good English and very good German language skills are required, or a willingness to acquire German within two years of appointment.

Is part-time employment possible for this position?

Yes, part-time employment is possible.

How should applications be submitted?

Applications must be submitted exclusively via the university's appointment portal (Berufungsportal).