Postdoc research associate / Wissenschaftliche/r Mitarbeiter/-in (m/w/d)

Katholische Universität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt

The Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt (KU) is a non-state university under church leadership and officially recognized by the Free State of Bavaria. It is committed to strong research and excellent teaching and combines first-class study conditions with an international focus. Eight faculties offer a wide range of subjects for around 5,000 students. The University employs 900 people of different faiths and beliefs. Grounded in the Christian view of human life, the KU aims to create an academic and educational culture of responsibility. As part of the DFG Research Training Group "Practicing Place: Sociocultural Practices and Epistemic Configurations", the KU invites applications for a full-time position (100%) as

Postdoc research associate (Wissenschaftliche/-r Mitarbeiter/-in (m/w/d))

to be filled by the earliest possible starting date for a limited period from until March 31, 2030. The place of work shall be Eichstätt. The successful candidate will be employed in a private-law employment relationship, in which case remuneration will be according to pay grade E 13 TV-L provided that the requirements are met. It is possible to split the position in two part-time positions (50%) under certain conditions. The research group is dedicated to the interdisciplinary reflection of the concepts of ‘place’ and ‘placing’, as especially in the context of increasing global interrelations and media communication that has become borderless, places and processes of (re)placing shift to the center of social, cultural and political attention. In the context of geopolitical confrontations, ecological challenges and increasing social polarization, the conflictuality of practicings of place is intensifying at the various levels of the political and public spheres. In the second approval period, the program of the research group focuses accordingly on places and localization processes as central figurations of conflict. The research training group is designed as a structured graduate training program for international doctoral candidates who have distinguished themselves in a competitive selection process through their professional profile and an outstanding research concept that is compatible across disciplines and can be realized within the time frame of the funding. A postdoctoral position will be established to coordinate the academic work of the research group and, in particular, to support the doctoral projects and the conceptual development of the research program. For more information about the research group, its research activity and qualification program, please visit https://www.practicing.place/. Your tasks

• Implementation of an own research project relevant to the questions and the research program of the research training group
• Support of the researchers in the training group in their interdisciplinary and conceptional coordination and orga­ni­za­tional design of the group’s program
• Co-supervision of individual doctoral projects (optional)
• Impulses for the further development of the research program of the research training group , e.g. through contributions to critical theory formation, conceptual ideas as well as initiatives for conferences, workshops and presentation events
• Advice and support for the doctoral candidates in the independent organization of interdisciplinary scientific working groups, field research or research stays, workshops, etc.
• Conceptualization and content coordination of joint scientific publication projects
• Introduction and monitoring of measures to ensure good scientific practice with special consideration of the handling of achieved research data and results
• Editorial coordination of press and public relations work at the research training group (contributions to the website, podcast and the group’s social media presence).

Your profile

• A very good completed academic university degree and an excellent, completed doctorate preferably in one of the subjects of the research training group or in a relevant neighboring field of social sciences, cultural studies or the humanities (please see below website for details),
• Relevant international publication experience
• Proven theoretical and methodological knowledge in (interdisciplinary) social and cultural- scientific research on place and space
• Openness for interdisciplinary work as well as high communicative skills and ability to work in a team
• Ability to coordinate and guide scientific working groups,
• Very good computer skills and written and spoken English language proficiency in particular

Our offer

• An attractive, interdisciplinary and international research environment in the higher educational sector for the successful scientific qualification and further development of your scientific career
• Access to an excellent research infrastructure and a wide range of support facilities
• Integration into the KU’s programs for the promotion of early-career researchers and management training
• Possibility of co-supervision of doctoral students
• Integration into an established, international scientific network, including the possibility of stays abroad to establish and expand specialist and transdisciplinary networks
• Welfare benefits in the public service

Your application
Please include the following documents in your application:

• Letter of motivation, explaining why you are personally suited for the research program and the task of scientific
coor­di­na­tion of the research training group and how you would like to get involved in the group (no longer than 2 pages)
• Presentation of the planned research project (exposé of 5-10 pages) and its relevance to the research program of the research
training group and its conflict-analytical re-accentuation
• Résumé with detailed description of your scientific career to date including a list of publications
• Proof of scientific university degrees including doctoral certificate (if necessary in certified translation)
• A letter of recommendation from two university lecturers providing information on the applicant's professional and methodological competence and scientific potential (no longer than 2 pages)
• Doctoral thesis

Please submit your application by October 31, 2025, to the spokesperson of the research training group, Prof. Dr. Robert Schmidt, using our online application portal. All submitted application documents will be destroyed in accordance with data protection regulations after the hiring process has been completed.

All employees are obliged to acknowledge the nature and mission of the KU as stipulated in its Mission Statement and Foundation Charter. The University is therefore interested in receiving applications with relevant information in this regard. Other than that, there are no denominational requirements for employment at the KU.

The KU is committed to promoting equal opportunities, and aims to ensure that its members are able to balance work and family life. Candidates with severe disabilities who are equally suitable to other applicants will be prioritized.