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Research Associate (m/f/d) Democracy Justice (GAPS)

2026-07-02

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 person as

Research Associate (m/f/d)
(salary group EG 13 TV-L, 75%, for a limited period of 4 years)
in the area of 
Public Participation, Democracy and Justice – Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis
within the ERC Advanced Grant project
Global Assessment of Participation in Sustainability Governance (GAPS)

Project

GAPS – Global Assessment of Participation in Sustainability Governance – is a five-year project funded through an ERC Advanced Grant awarded to Prof. Dr. Jens Newig. It pioneers a step change in our understanding of public participation (PP) in sustainability governance. Despite the global spread of participatory practices – from citizen climate assemblies and participatory budgeting to stakeholder consultations – we still lack systematic knowledge of whether, how, and under what conditions PP advances sustainability, strengthens democracy, or delivers justice across diverse political systems, cultures, and levels of development.

GAPS will, for the first time, assemble and analyse thousands of documented cases of PP in sustainability governance from all world regions. A key methodological innovation is the large-scale application of advanced Large Language Models (LLMs) to systematically code rich qualitative case narratives. This AI-assisted case-survey method enables rigorous large-N cross-case comparison, preserving contextual depth. GAPS will generate the first global, theory-driven evidence base on participatory sustainability governance, and advance both social science methodology and governance theory.

The project team comprises the Principal Investigator (PI) Prof. Newig, one postdoctoral researcher, and four doctoral researchers, each focusing on one analytical stream: (1) sustainability performance, (2) democracy, justice, legitimacy, (3) global patterns, and (4) environmental impact assessments. For more information on the project, see https://sustainability-governance.net/2026/06/29/erc-advanced-grant-gaps-global-assessment-of-public-participation-in-sustainability-governance-performance-justice-and-democracy/.

Location

Leuphana University Lüneburg is a young, internationally acclaimed university located in the Hamburg metropolitan region, focusing on sustainability, cultural and political science, education, management and entrepreneurship, and public affairs. The Research Group on Governance, Participation and Sustainability, led by Prof. Newig, is affiliated both with Leuphana’s School of Sustainability and Leuphana’s Centre for the Study of Democracy. The multidisciplinary group of senior and early-career social scientists addresses complex governance challenges in environmental and sustainability politics (https://sustainability-governance.net).

Your tasks:

This position focuses on the democratic and justice dimensions of PP: investigating whether, how, and under what conditions public participation strengthens democracy and legitimacy, and fosters social justice – including procedural, distributional, and recognitional justice – in sustainability governance. Your work will span all project phases:

  • Conceptual framework and codebook: You will contribute to developing the theoretical-conceptual framework and codebook, focusing in particular on democracy, legitimacy and justice outcomes - including causal mechanisms linking PP design features (e.g. deliberation, power delegation, participant selection) to democratic quality, legitimacy, the meaningful inclusion of marginalised groups, and equitable outcomes.
  • Case search and AI-assisted coding: Together with the wider team, you will contribute to identifying relevant case studies and to the AI-assisted coding of approximately 3,000 cases of PP in sustainability governance. You will be specifically responsible for quality-checking coded democracy, legitimacy and justice variables.
  • Causal process tracing: You will conduct in-depth process tracing on a shared set of strategically selected cases to uncover causal mechanisms through which PP strengthens (or weakens) democracy and legitimacy, and advances (or fails to advance) social justice.
  • Large-N data analysis: Drawing on the completed global case database, you will apply a range of complementary analytical methods, including regression analysis, path analysis / structural equation modelling, and Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA), to identify which forms of PP, under which conditions, strengthen democratic legitimacy and deliver just and equitable outcomes.
  • Synthesis and theory building (WP4): You will contribute to cross-stream synthesis, identifying synergies and trade-offs between democracy, justice and the project’s sustainability dimension, and to the development of a globally informed theory of participatory sustainability governance.
  • Publication and dissemination: You will prepare your findings for publication in peer-reviewed journals and present your work at national and international conferences.

Your profile:

  • An excellent Master's degree or equivalent in political science, human geography, sustainability science, public administration, or a related discipline;
  • A committed personality, able to work independently and collaboratively, with strong communication skills;
  • A strong interest in environmental policy, sustainability governance, public participation, democratic theory and environmental justice;
  • Experience with or strong interest in quantitative and/or qualitative comparative social science research methods (e.g. regression analysis, QCA, process tracing);
  • Experience with or strong interest in AI-assisted text analysis and/or case-based meta-analysis is an advantage;
  • Excellent written and spoken English;
  • German language proficiency would be an additional asset.

Our offer:

  • An intellectually stimulating role in a high-profile, ERC-funded research project with resources for research and conference travel,
  • Close supervision by Prof. Newig and collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of researchers;
  • A vibrant research environment with excellent contacts to international research networks in governance, public policy, and sustainability science,
  • The opportunity to pursue a doctorate (cumulative PhD) within a supportive and internationally connected research group,
  • 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 about the position (but not about individual eligibility) please contact Prof. Dr. Jens Newig (jens.newig@leuphana.de; Web: https://sustainability-governance.net).

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. 

Interviews are expected to take place from 17 to 21 August 2026, with all decisions, by both sides, finalised by 28 August 2026.

Applicants should submit (1) a cover letter that briefly addresses the above-mentioned qualifications; (2) their CV, (3) a one-page PhD proposal (paper-based PhD) aligned with the profile of the position, (4) all relevant certificates and transcripts (incl. Abitur / high school), (5) up to three writing samples, and (6) the names of up to two academic referees. Please submit all required documents (without photo) via our application portal – and also as one single PDF to jens.newig@leuphana.de – by 10 August 2026.

We look forward to receiving your application!