Research Associate (f/m/x) in Digital Humanities - Köln

Faculty of Arts and Humanities
Research Associate (f/m/x) in Digital Humanities

Department for Digital Humanities

We are one of the largest and oldest universities in Europe and one of the most important employers in our region.

Our broad range of subjects, the d namic development of our main research areas and our central location in Cologne make us attractive for students and researchers from around the world. We offer a wide range of career opportunities in science, technology, and administration.

We are seeking a Research Associate for the project “Computational philology at the intersection of games and prognostication: an edition of the German “Prenostica Socratis Basilei” (PSB)” under the direction of directed by Jun.-Professor Dr Elisa Cugliana. The aim of the project is to edit the medieval German versions of the sortes text Prenostica Socratis Basilei (PSB). To highlight the multimodality and interactive nature of this divinatory and playful genre, the resulting online edition will offer both a text-based interface and a game mode.

YOUR TASKS

• Data modelling of text, images, and objects in a graph database (Neo4j); transformation between data formats

• Development of computer-assisted methods: programming and adaptation of processes for stemmatological analyses, normalization, semantic annotations, and text analyses

• Interface development: design and implementation of an interactive, user-friendly web interface

• Game development: conception and implementation of the game model

• Data management and integrity: ensuring consistency, sustainability, and reusability of the data throughout the project, as well as integration into the institutional infrastructure

WE OFFER

• An experimental environment for developing new computational methods for processing data from historical sources

• An exciting research project on a historical genre at the intersection of magic, games, and science

• A diverse research environment encompassing Cologne’s DH institutions.

• Opportunity to pursue a doctorate on topics addressed in the project

• A diverse working environment with equal opportunities

• Support in balancing work and family life

• Extensive advanced training opportunities

• Occupational health management offers

• Flexible working time models

• Opportunity to work remotely

The University of Cologne promotes equal opportunities and diversity. Women will be considered preferentially in accordance with the Equal Opportunities Act of North Rhine-Westphalia (Landesgleichstellungsgesetz – LGG NRW). We also expressly welcome applications from all suitable candidates regardless of their gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity.

The position is available from 1 March 2026 on a part-time basis (25,89 hours per week). The position ist to be filled for a fixed term of 3 years. If the applicant meets the relevant wage requirements and personal qualifications, the salary is based on remuneration group 13 TV-L of the pay scale for the German public sector.

Please apply online with proof of the required qualifications without a photo under: https://jobportal.uni-koeln.de. The reference number is Wiss2510-11. The application deadline is 15 November 2025.

For further inquiries, please contact Professor Dr Elisa Cugliana (elisa.cugliana@uni-koeln.de) and take a look at our FAQs.