Scholar in Residence

The Scholar in Residence program is an invitation to the scientific community to explore our holdings in depth.

Call for applications

The Iron Library offers scholars the possibility of intensive study of its holdings as Scholar in Residence (SiR). The program is addressed to both established researchers and younger scholars or advanced students from Switzerland and abroad.

Aim of the program
In keeping with the Iron Library's specialization, preference will be given to applications from scholars with research projects on the history of technology and materials science and the history of metallurgy and mining, which are the focal points of the Iron Library's collection. Topics from the history of chemistry, the history of science or industrial history and culture will also be given consideration. Innovative research projects that draw on the Library's historical holdings in depth are particularly welcome. Research on the history of the Georg Fischer Corporation is especially welcome because projects that are based wholly or in part on the Corporate Archives of Georg Fischer Ltd. will also be supported by the SiR Program.

What the Iron Library offers
The Iron Library, located in the former Clarissan convent Paradies, is an attractive place for focused research and creative writing. The research period may last from two to three weeks, and the precise dates and modalities will be arranged individually with the successful applicants. The Iron Library will assume the costs of a hotel for the SiR near the library during the research period, will pay an allowance for the cost of meals during this time and will make a one-time contribution to the costs of travel to and from the Iron Library. The employees of the Iron Library will assist the SiR in his/her research work and in obtaining the relevant literature. The SiR Program is expressly not a full scholarship; any further claims on the Iron Library are excluded.

What we expect from the Scholar in Residence
It is expected that the SiR will work intensively with the library holdings during the period of research and will take up residence near the library. The research period may come at the beginning of a research project or may serve to complete an existing project. The results of the research period must be incorporated into a publication (print or online) and/or a degree (master's, Ph.D. or "Habilitation"), in which the use of the Iron Library is mentioned expressly. When the publication has been completed, the SiR will send the Iron Library two copies with-out being requested. The SiR undertakes, in addition, to write a short report on the research period in the Iron Library and gives his/her consent for this report to be published on the Iron Library's website, in its Annual Report and, if appropriate, elsewhere (e.g. social media). The same shall apply to the abstract of the research project (see below).


Applications
Applicants are requested to submit the following documents:
- an abstract describing the research project (maximum 150 words)
- a detailed description of the project that makes it clear which holdings in the Iron Library are to be consulted (maximum 1000 words)
- a curriculum vitae (resume)

The application documents may be written in English or German and may be submitted by mail or by e-mail. The Management of the Iron Library will decide on the selection of the Scholar in Residence.

Applications deadlines
Applications may be submitted at any time.

Please address any questions and your application to:
Franziska Eggimann, Head Iron Library and Corporate Archivist Georg Fischer Ltd.
Klostergut Paradies, 8252 Schlatt, Switzerland, franziska.eggimann@georgfischer.com

Scholars

Learn more about the scholars, their stay at the Iron Library and their research projects.