Key Subject Area “Democratic Resilience”: Doctoral Research Associate with a background in Political Science, Public Policy, Governance Studies, Sustainability Studies or a related field
2025-06-23
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 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 Key Subject Area “Democratic Resilience” to fill the position of a
Doctoral Research Associate with a background in Political Science, Public Policy, Governance Studies, Sustainability Studies or a related field
(salary group EG 13 TV-L, with 75 % of the regular weekly working time of a full-time employee for a limited period of 4 years to start on 1 October 2025 or depending on your availability)
We invite you to become part of an exciting community of scholars and offer you the opportunity to advance your academic career by pursuing a doctorate. You will be able to refine your own disciplinary profile and work with a great number of participating Leuphana professors, postdocs, other doctoral researchers and international fellows in a stimulating interdisciplinary setting. You will thereby build an international network for the advancement of your career in the highly dynamic and future-oriented field of transformation research as well as management and organization studies. To fully benefit from the purpose and value of collaborative and interdisciplinary research facilitated by a shared physical space, an adequate presence on campus is expected.
The position will be integrated into an interdisciplinary team of researchers exploring the resilience of liberal democracies in a time of global polycrisis, including climate change, economic instability, geopolitical competition, political radicalism, and polarization. The team investigates how democracies can enhance long-term sustainability by balancing legitimacy, governance effectiveness, and systemic adaptability. The research thus examines resilience at different levels – from citizens to institutions, international alliances and as a motif in public discourse – using a range of social science methods and theoretical approaches. The PhD project will preferably discuss a sound conceptualisation of resilience and develop a political-theoretical perspective.
Your tasks:
- Write a doctoral dissertation (cumulative model or monograph) in the field of political science, especially in political theory
- Contribute to the development of the Key Subject Area “Democratic Resilience” and to drafting major follow-up funding applications
- Contribute to the common objective of “Embracing Transformation” by analyzing transformation processes and generating transformation knowledge
- Advance your own academic career, preparing for e.g. a postdoc position
- Participate in and co-organize regular meetings and workshops
- Teaching based on the topics of “Democratic Resilience” (amounting to 1 German SWS = 0.75 hours regular teaching time per week during the term)
Your qualifications:
- Master’s degree or equivalent in one of the following fields: political science, public policy, governance studies, sustainability studies, or a related discipline
- Experience/Interest in political theory, democratic theory, resilience studies, governance, or sustainability-related fields
- Ideally, experience in interdisciplinary contexts
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English (having an at least basic command of German is an advantage)
- Organizational and communication skills as well as the ability to work in interdisciplinary and multicultural teams, flexibility and initiative
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 designed by Daniel Libeskind
- Green and inviting campus at the edge of the picturesque Hanseatic town of Lüneburg, close to the Northern German metropolis Hamburg
- Flexible and family-friendly working hours within a time frame between 6 am and 9 pm, including opportunities for remote working
- A wide range of additional (subsidized) benefits such as continuing education, sporting activities, catering service for lunch and dinner, and a 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. Astrid Séville (astrid.seville@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 of up to three 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 interdisciplinary concept and overall goals of “Embracing Transformation”, and (3) how working in this setting will be beneficial for your own academic career. Please send your application by 17th August 2025 as a single merged PDF file or by post to:
Leuphana Universität Lüneburg
Human Resources and Legal Affairs / Application Management
Subject: Democratic Resilience PhD
Universitätsallee 1
21335 Lüneburg