Paper Bonds: Bookmaking for Kin, Friends and Self in Contemporary Europe and the Middle East
Postdoctoral position at CEFRES (“Centre français de recherche en sciences sociales”) - 2026–2027
Published on Tuesday, July 01, 2025
Abstract
Two postdoctoral researchers will be recruited from January 1, 2026 for two years at CEFRES. They will be both affiliated to CEFRES and to a relevant department for their research at Charles University (UK).
Announcement
Team
led by a “Tandem” of 2 researchers:
- Hélène Martinelli (ENS / CNRS, based at CEFRES, Prague)
- Giedrė Šabasevičiūtė (Oriental Institute, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague)
Presentation
“The project explores self-made books and private bookmaking practices in contemporary Europe and the Middle East, focusing on their material, symbolic and social dimensions. Adopting a genealogical perspective, it examines how non-commercial publishing and book production shape relationships, express identity and responds to political and technological change.
Drawing from the disciplines of anthropology, book history and sociology of literature, the project aims to reappraise the social significance of the print book in the era of digital publishing. Researchers working on contemporary bookmaking practices from the perspective of book history, anthropology, sociology, literary studies and other disciplines such as information and communication sciences are more than welcome to apply.”
Read more about the project here.
The young scientist will be affiliated with CEFRES and benefit from collaboration with the Oriental Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences and a chosen Department at Charles University. The position can lead to further project–based collaboration.
Application Package
Applicants must submit the complete application package consisting of the following elements:
1/The application form duly filled in (please download it here). The application form includes the description of the personal research project which must:
- specify the title of the “Tandem” research project and explain how the personal research work will benefit it;
- include:
- an explanation on the methodology and inputs of your own research, as well as a selected bibliography (max. 1 page-long)
- expected outcomes (publications, conferences, and so forth).
2/ A letter of reference from the former PhD supervisor (please use and download the form here). The letter must mention the title of the PhD, the date of defense etc.
3/ A detailed CV
4/ A list of publications
5/ A copy of the PhD diploma
Applicants are welcome to contact the PIs of the Tandem research projects they apply to before sending their application.
Application packages must be submitted (both PDF and as a Word-document) electronically in an email entitled “YOUR LAST NAME_CEFRES-UK-TANDEM” at: mateusz.chmurski@cefres.cz
Please send a copy to:
saba@orient.cas.cz
helene.martinelli@ens-lyon.fr
claire.madl@cefres.cz
by September 15, 2025, 23:59 CET.
Subjects
Places
- Prague, Czechia
Date(s)
- Monday, September 15, 2025
Keywords
- cfa, postdoc, cefres, tandem, cnrs, charlesuniversity, shs, literature
Contact(s)
- Claire Madl
courriel : claire [dot] madl [at] cefres [dot] cz
Reference Urls
Information source
- Mateusz Chmurski
courriel : mateusz [dot] chmurski [at] cefres [dot] cz
License
This announcement is licensed under the terms of Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal.
To cite this announcement
« Paper Bonds: Bookmaking for Kin, Friends and Self in Contemporary Europe and the Middle East », Scholarship, prize and job offer, Calenda, Published on Tuesday, July 01, 2025, https://doi.org/10.58079/148sl