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Gerald D. Feldman Travel Grants - Job Opportunity at Max Weber Stiftung

Bonn, Germany
Full-time
Entry-level
Posted: June 19, 2025
On-site
While this is a grant rather than employment, the daily allowances of €32-68 plus accommodation and travel costs effectively provide €2,880-6,120 for a three-month period, comparable to research stipends ranging from €11,520-24,480 annually if extrapolated

Benefits

Daily allowances ranging from €32.00 to €68.00 depending on host country, providing competitive living stipends that exceed standard academic travel rates
Comprehensive travel cost coverage for international research trips using most economical routing, eliminating financial barriers to global research collaboration
Access to subsidized guest accommodations at prestigious international research institutes, offering unique networking opportunities with global academic communities
Flexible funding structure allowing research across 2-3 countries over 3 months, providing unparalleled international exposure for early-career academics
Integration into Max Weber Foundation's global network of 350+ staff and numerous scholarship holders, creating lasting professional relationships

Key Responsibilities

Design and execute original transnational research projects that contribute new perspectives to humanities and social sciences, positioning yourself as an innovative thought leader in your field
Conduct intensive archival and library research across multiple international locations, developing expertise in comparative methodologies that are highly valued in academic and policy circles
Produce scholarly output that demonstrates transregional analysis capabilities, enhancing your profile for competitive academic positions and international collaborations
Navigate complex international research environments independently, building cultural competency and adaptability skills essential for global academic careers
Represent the Max Weber Foundation's academic standards while building relationships with host institutions, expanding your professional network across continents

Requirements

Education

Master's degree, M.A., state examination, or German Diplom minimum

Experience

Published research experience preferred (not mandatory for doctoral students)

Required Skills

Academic excellence in humanities or social sciences Research project development and planning International and comparative research methodologies German or English language proficiency Independent research capabilities
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Industry Trends

Academic institutions are increasingly prioritizing international collaboration and comparative research methodologies, making cross-cultural research experience essential for career advancement in humanities and social sciences The globalization of higher education has created intense competition for academic positions, with international research experience serving as a critical differentiator for early-career scholars Digital humanities and transnational studies are emerging as high-growth areas within traditional humanities disciplines, requiring scholars to develop comparative and cross-regional expertise European research funding bodies are emphasizing international mobility and collaboration, creating new opportunities for scholars with demonstrated cross-border research capabilities

Role Significance

Recipients work independently while embedded within host institution research communities, typically interacting with 5-15 researchers per location and building networks across multiple international academic centers
This opportunity targets early-career academics in their qualification phase, representing a crucial stepping stone between graduate studies and established academic positions, offering the international credibility necessary for competitive academic markets

Key Projects

Comparative archival research projects examining historical, cultural, or social phenomena across multiple national contexts Transnational studies analyzing cross-border movements, ideas, or institutions Collaborative research initiatives with international scholars leading to co-authored publications Digital humanities projects requiring access to diverse international collections and archives

Success Factors

Exceptional research design skills that can articulate clear transnational or comparative frameworks, as these directly align with the foundation's mission and selection criteria Strong cultural adaptability and language skills to maximize effectiveness across diverse international research environments and build meaningful relationships with host institution scholars Strategic networking abilities to leverage short-term placements into long-term collaborative relationships that extend beyond the grant period Efficient research methodologies that can produce significant scholarly output within compressed timeframes while maintaining academic rigor

Market Demand

High demand due to limited availability of international research funding and the critical importance of international experience for academic career progression in an increasingly globalized higher education landscape

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Transnational research methodology expertise is absolutely essential as it directly aligns with the program's core mission and represents the primary evaluation criterion for selection committees Advanced archival and primary source research skills are fundamental since the program specifically emphasizes library and archive work, and recipients must demonstrate ability to extract meaningful insights from diverse international collections Cultural competency and adaptability are crucial for success across multiple international research environments, as recipients must quickly integrate into different academic cultures and establish productive working relationships

Beneficial Skills

Digital humanities skills are increasingly valuable as international archives digitize collections and collaborative research becomes more technology-dependent Multiple language proficiencies beyond German and English can provide significant advantages for accessing specialized collections and building relationships with international colleagues Grant writing and funding application skills become highly valuable as recipients often leverage this experience to secure larger research grants and fellowship opportunities

Unique Aspects

This grant offers the rare opportunity to conduct research across multiple countries within a single funding period, providing comparative research experience that is increasingly valuable in today's academic job market
Access to the Max Weber Foundation's exclusive network of international research institutes provides recipients with institutional support and credibility that independent researchers typically cannot access
The flexibility to design self-directed research projects while maintaining institutional affiliation offers an optimal balance of academic freedom and professional support
The program's emphasis on transnational studies aligns perfectly with current academic trends toward globalized research perspectives and international collaboration

Career Growth

Recipients typically leverage this experience within 1-2 years to secure advanced academic positions, with the international credibility often serving as the decisive factor in competitive selection processes

Potential Next Roles

Postdoctoral research positions at international universities with enhanced competitiveness due to demonstrated international research experience Assistant professor positions at research universities, particularly those emphasizing international or comparative studies Research positions at think tanks, policy institutes, or international organizations requiring cross-cultural analytical skills Academic program coordinator roles for international studies or exchange programs

Company Overview

Max Weber Stiftung

Max Weber Stiftung stands as one of Germany's premier humanities and social sciences research institutions, operating a sophisticated global network of research institutes and maintaining strategic partnerships across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas with over 350 international staff members

Recognized as a leading European research foundation with significant influence in international academic policy and substantial funding capacity, competing directly with major institutions like the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and DAAD for top international talent
The foundation's Bonn headquarters serves as the central hub for a vast international network, while its global institute locations provide recipients with access to prestigious research communities in major academic centers worldwide
The institution emphasizes scholarly independence combined with collaborative international engagement, fostering an environment where rigorous academic standards meet innovative cross-cultural research approaches
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