Research Associate PostDoc (m/f/d) Maternal
2025-12-18
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 and an overall dynamic development characterise its research profile in the core topics of education, culture, management/technology, sustainability and state. Its international study model with the Leuphana College, the Leuphana Graduate School and the Leuphana Professional School is unique in Germany and has won many awards.
In the context of the newly launched research project “Visualizing the Invisible: The Maternal Turn in Contemporary Artistic and Curatorial Practices,” whose sub-project at Leuphana is funded by the German Research Council, the university is currently looking for a responsible, motivated, and engaged
Research Associate PostDoc (m/f/d)
(salary group EG 13 TV-L, 100 %, for a limited period of 36 months)
To begin as soon as possible, the position will work closely with the Professorship of Contemporary Art History and Aesthetic Practice (Prof. Dr. Jordan Troeller), as part of a three-country research team with partners at the University of Warsaw and the Charles University in Prague.
In the subproject conducted at Leuphana Universität, research will engage contemporary artistic and curatorial projects that articulate the lived experience of mothering, with a focus on Central Europe (primarily Poland, Germany, Czech Republic, and Slovakia) after 1989, including its historical background. Experience with the role of migration and the Middle East in the context of changing demographics in Germany is desired. Candidates should have demonstrated excellence in independent research, a deep familiarity with contemporary artistic practice, as well as exemplary communication and organisational skills.
Candidates should also have an excellent fluency in written and spoken English, high proficiency in German, and a third language (preferably Arabic, Turkish, Kurdish, or another language relevant to the Middle East).
Residency in Lüneburg is not required; a willingness to attend regular subteam meetings (8-10 times a year), and workshops with the full research team (2-3 times a year), is necessary.
Your tasks:
- Independent research leading to a completed postdoc project
- Conduct interviews with contemporary artists and curators engaging with motherhood
- Application of art-based research methods
- Independent archival visits and documentation of materials
- Research and acquisition of literature
- Management of project budget and timeline
- Coordinate collaborations with partners within and outside the research projects
- Plan and execute project workshops
Your profile:
- Postgraduate degree in Art, Art History, Curatorial Studies or equivalent
- PhD in one of the above fields
- Familiarity with arts-based research methods
- Ability to work in a heterogeneous team of scholars and practitioners
- Exemplary organizational and communication skills; excellent time-management
- Ambitious and self-motivated
- Demonstrated transcultural and transdisciplinary research, especially through an engagement with art history’s current discourses (postcolonial, postmigration, queer-feminist, indigenous approaches)
- Fluency in written and spoken English, high proficiency in German, and a third language (preferably Arabic, Turkish, Kurdish, or another language relevant to the Middle East).
Our offer:
- an inspiring working environment as part of the university community of researchers, teachers, students and staff in technology and administration,
- a workplace at one of the most beautiful university locations in Germany in a true campus university with an internationally acclaimed central building by Daniel Libeskind and the directly adjacent Wilschenbruch nature reserve,
- a high level of job security as part of the public service,
- an additional company pension scheme through the Versorgungsanstalt des Bundes und der Länder (VBL),
- flexible and family-friendly working hours within a flexitime framework from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.,
- flexible and family-friendly opportunities to alternate between presence work and mobile work,
- an extensive internal and external continuing education programme,
- a wide range of sporting activities sponsored by the university, which employees can take part in for one hour per week during working hours to promote their health,
- a university-sponsored catering service for lunch and dinner in the refectory,
- a Germany ticket sponsored by the university as a job ticket
The position is basically suitable for part-time work, but the aim is to fill it 100 per cent.
Your application:
For further information please contact Prof. Dr. Jordan Troeller (jordan.troeller@leuphana.de, 04131.677-2560).
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 submit all required documents (cover letter, CV including list of publications, a writing sample, e.g. essay or chapter from your doctoral thesis, certificates, no photo please) in English via our application portal by 4 January 2026. We look forward to receiving your application!