Transformation Lab: Postdoctoral Research Associate/ Academic Coordinator of the Leuphana Transformation Lab (with a background in the humanities or social sciences)
11.06.2025
As a humanistic, sustainable and action-oriented university, Leuphana University of Lüneburg stands for innovation in education and science. Methodological diversity, interdisciplinary cooperation, transdisciplinary cooperation with practice-based partners and an overall dynamic development characterize its research profile in the fields of culture, education, management & technology, public affairs, and sustainability. With the university-wide research development program “Embracing Transformation through research, education and knowledge transfer” (in short “Embracing Transformation”) Leuphana aims to establish itself as a leading university for the analysis and critical reflection of transformation processes. More than one hundred researchers at various career levels will collaborate in an interdisciplinary environment to generate transformation knowledge that empowers individuals and communities to manage societal challenges and develop solutions for the common good.
Visit our website (https://www.leuphana.de/en/portals/embracing-transformation.html) to learn more about the five Key Subject Areas that are involved in the project: “Climate Futures in Digital Cultures”, “Companies das Drivers of Sustainability Transformations”, “Democratic Resilience”, “Organizing in Times of Crisis”, and “Toward a Regenerative Society”, complemented by a “Psychology of Transformation” acting as a Hub Science. To create synergies between these various fields and explore new perspectives, the “Leuphana Transformation Lab“ will be established as a shared intellectual and physical space to promote collaboration among the researchers involved.
The university is looking for a responsible, motivated and committed person for the Transformation Lab to fill the position of a
Postdoctoral Research Associate/ Academic Coordinator of the Leuphana Transformation Lab
(with a background in the humanities or social sciences)
(salary group EG 14 TV-L, as a full-time employee for a limited period of 5 years to start on 1 October 2025 or depending on your availability)
As Academic Coordinator, you will play a key role in shaping and implementing the Leuphana Transformation Lab’s integrative research agenda. Working closely with the Lab’s professorial directors, you will support interdisciplinary research activities, facilitate knowledge exchange among scholars working in the Key Subject Areas, and contribute to the development of a shared epistemology of transformation. Your own research will advance this agenda while supporting your ongoing academic development. Working with numerous professors, other postdocs, doctoral students and international fellows in a stimulating interdisciplinary setting will enable you to refine your own profile and build an international network. The position requires a strong research background in the humanities or social sciences, experience in interdisciplinary collaboration and academic project management, as well as excellent communication skills. You will work in a dynamic team environment that values intellectual curiosity, organizational competence, and a proactive, collaborative spirit. The characteristics of the job require a strong and visible on-campus presence, even though there are opportunities for remote work.
Your tasks:
- Lead the development of the overarching research profile of the Leuphana Transformation Lab in close collaboration with the professorial leadership and connect this to your own research on transformations of contemporary societies, focusing on developing a comprehensive epistemology of transformation
- Head, coordinate and support the collaborative activities of the scholars in the lab for the purpose of advancing interdisciplinary research practices, thereby promoting the generation, synthesis, and dissemination of transformation knowledge (e.g. by virtue of joint publications)
- Advance your own academic career by preparing for a junior professorship or seeking funding for a junior research group, for example
- Monitoring the academic progress of the Leuphana Transformation Lab and the Key Subject Areas and reporting routinely to the professorial leadership of the lab and the university’s presidential board
- Participate in the governing of the Leuphana Transformation Lab regarding e.g. the invitation and support of fellows, the organization of workshops and other academic events and the communication with various academic cooperation partners
- Participate in and co-organize regular meetings and workshops
- Co-supervise doctoral students
- Contribute to teaching based on the academic program of the lab in Leuphana’s study programs (2 German SWS = 1.5 regular teaching hours per week during the term)
Your qualifications:
- Doctorate in the humanities or social sciences
- Strong research and publication record, ideally related to issues of transformation in contemporary societies
- Proven ability and motivation for interdisciplinary research, knowledge integration and dissemination
- Experience in project management and, ideally, in managing large research projects
- Experience in dealing with different status groups of a university and in dealing with interface and matrix work
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English (having an at least basic command of German is an advantage)
- Strong personal initiative, preserverance, excellent organizational skills, and ability to work in multicultural teams
Our offer:
- An inspiring cutting-edge collaborative research environment with multiple established and early-career scholars and scientists working together in an attractive modern university building
- Green and friendly campus at the edge of the picturesque Hanseatic town of Lüneburg, close to the Northern German metropolis Hamburg
- An additional company pension scheme through the Versorgungsanstalt des Bundes und der Länder (VBL)
- Flexible and family-friendly working hours within a time frame between 6 am and 9 pm, including opportunities for remote working
- Wide range of additional (subsidized) benefits: continuing education, sporting activities, lunch and dinner, public transport ticket valid in the whole of Germany
- An additional company pension scheme through the Versorgungsanstalt des Bundes und der Länder (VBL)
Your application:
For further information please contact Prof. Dr. Erich Hörl (erich.hoerl(at)leuphana.de).
Leuphana University of Lüneburg promotes professional gender equality and heterogeneity among its members. Applications from people with severe disabilities will be given preferential consideration if they have the same qualifications. Please also note our data protection information for applicants.
We look forward to receiving your application, including a research proposal and outline of your research interests on up to four pages. In addition, please include a CV (without photo) and a motivation letter in which you briefly describe (1) your qualifications, (2) how your envisaged research project may contribute to the overarching research profile of the Leuphana Transformation Lab, and (3) how working in this setting will be beneficial for your own academic career. Please send your application until June 29th, 2025 as a single merged PDF file or by post to:
Leuphana Universität Lüneburg
Human Resources and Legal Affairs / Application Management
Subject: Academic Director
Universitätsallee 1
21335 Lüneburg
jobs(at)leuphana.de
Die Ausschreibung ist auch im Internet unter https://www.leuphana.de/universitaet/jobs-und-karriere/forschung-lehre/ansicht-forschung-lehre/2025/06/11/transformation-lab-postdoctoral-research-associate-academic-coordinator-of-the-leuphana-transformation-lab-with-a-background-in-the-humanities-or-social-sciences.html abrufbar.