Research Assistant (m/f/d) PostDoc or PhD or Doctoral Fellow in the Project “Intersectional Hermeneutics”

2026-05-08

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.

The University is looking for a responsible, motivated and committed scholar to join the Institute for Ethics and Theology (IET) at the Professorship of Systematic Theology and Ethics (Prof. Dr. Matthew Ryan Robinson) as a Research Assistant. Start date is to be the 1st of October 2026. 

Research Assistant (m/f/d) PostDoc or PhD or Doctoral Fellow 
in the Project “Intersectional Hermeneutics”
(salary group EG 13 TV-L, 75 %, for a limited period of 3 years)

 

Institute and Project Description 

The Institute for Ethics and Theology (IET) at Leuphana seeks to advance research and study in the fields of ethics, religion and theology. We focus in particular on Christianity past and present, from its biblical backgrounds to contemporary challenges and the questions they raise. We aim to cultivate experience-based and question-driven research and study rather than approaches driven by discipline-specific orientations per se. If you wish to conduct doctoral or postdoctoral research on a topic that combines some aspect of Bible, the history of Christianity, education, theology or ethics in conjunction with an entirely different field of research, this might be the right place for you.   

 We are eager to welcome a new scholar to our team as a doctoral or postdoctoral researcher working on a project in our emerging focus area with the working title “Intersectional Hermeneutics”. Your project should work on a topic in Christian Theology from hermeneutical perspectives, broadly construed. A high degree of interdisciplinarity is desired - whether Christian Theology and philosophy, literature, religious studies, political science or theory, media studies, economics or another field. Whatever the combination, your project will give attention to socio-cultural “intersections” - whether of religion / confession, class, gender, sexuality, discursivization of race and ethnicity, technologies, media, geography, social systems, time periods, etc. - in an attempt to develop a rigorous hermeneutics of the “intersection” from philosophically and theologically. Within these broad parameters, the specific topic of your project is intentionally left up to you. We are interested in a high degree of creative thinking, excellence, and passion for research and teaching.  

Your tasks:

  • This position works in connection with the professorship in Systematic Theology and Theological Ethics. In this connection, you will
  • Development and implementation of an independent doctoral or postdoctoral research project
  • Teach two classes per semester in the fields of Systematic Theology and Ethics, broadly defined,
  • Assist in the coordination of conferences, colloquia, visiting scientists and other academic programming,
  • Cooperate on and / or produce your own academic publications,
  • Cooperate on the development of grant applications and / or pursue your own third-party grant funding.
  • Active participation in the academic life of the university (colloquia, workshops, conferences)
  • As a 75% doctoral or postdoctoral project position, the position is structured as a 30-hrs/wk position, of which approximately 20 hrs/wk (65%) are for work related to the IET and approximately 10 hrs/wk (35%) are protected for work on your project. Ideally, however, you will be able to teach courses and become involved in research activities in the IET in a way that is integrated with your work on your project.  

Your Profile:

Note: This position announcement is intentionally open both to those wishing to pursue a doctoral degree and those wishing to pursue a postdoctoral project. Candidates will be evaluated according to the thematic fit and overall evaluation of relevant background experience. 

  • Theological state examination or comparable Master's degree
  • If apply for a postdoctoral position, Dr. theol. / PhD in a theological discipline with a clear connection to systematic-theological questions.
  • As a minimum qualification: Completed BA and MA university degrees (or equivalent) with above-average grades and a subject focus with a clear connection to the topics outlined above project description
  • Excellent English language proficiency
  • Ability to engage in academic/scholarly work Interest in and experience with empirical research activities
  • Organizational and communication skills, as well as the ability to work in a team, flexibility, and initiative

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

Your application: 

For questions regarding the position, please contact Prof. Dr. Matthew Ryan Robinson by email at matthew.robinson@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. Please send the following: 

  • Cover Letter (maximum 2 pages), expressing your interest, qualification for the position, and relevant experience.
  • A research proposal of up to 6 pages describing the doctoral or postdoctoral project you would like to pursue and how it would fit with the aims of the Intersectional Hermeneutics project and contribute to its success.
  • An academic CV
  • .pdf files of your academic transcripts and academic degrees  

 Please submit all required documents (without photo) via our application portal by 18.06.2026. We look forward to receiving your application!