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Research Associate (m/f/d) (PostDoc) (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) (PostDoc)
(salary group EG 14 TV-L, 100%, for a limited period of 5 years)
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:

The research associate will play a central and cross-cutting role in the project across all five years and work packages:

  • Codebook development and conceptual framework (Work Package 1): You will contribute to developing the theoretical-conceptual framework and codebook that guides case coding, integrating theories from participatory governance, democratic innovations, institutional theory, and development studies.
  • Development of the global case database (WP 2): Together with the PI and the PhD researchers, you will lead the development and quality assurance of the AI-assisted coding procedure. This includes prompt development for Large Language Models (e.g. Claude, Gemini), conducting reliability checks against human coding benchmarks, and overseeing multilingual coding across approximately 3,000 case studies in participatory sustainability governance from all world regions.
  • Data analysis support (WP 3): You will support and advise the four PhD researchers in applying quantitative and qualitative methods, including regression analyses, path analysis / structural equation modelling, multi-level analysis, Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA), and causal process tracing on selected cases.
  • Synthesis and theory building (WP4): In the final phase of the project, you will take a leading role in synthesising findings, identifying synergies and trade-offs between sustainability, democracy, and justice outcomes, and contributing to the development of a generative, globally informed theory of participatory sustainability governance.
  • Project coordination: You will contribute to coordinating the collaborative project team, supported by administrative staff and student research assistants, including the organisation of three international peer workshops and managing internal and external communications across all project phases.
  • Own scientific qualification: The position provides opportunity to pursue your own academic qualification, e.g. through an independent research agenda, publications, and the development of a Habilitation project or equivalent.
  • 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 PhD in the social sciences, ideally in political science, human geography, public administration, or a related interdisciplinary field such as environmental or sustainability governance;
  • Excellent undergraduate and graduate degrees, preferably in the above-mentioned fields;
  • A committed personality, able to work independently and collaboratively, with strong communication skills;
  • Publication experience in English;
  • Excellent English language communication skills (written and oral);
  • Experience with environmental and/or sustainability governance research;
  • Experience with 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 large-N case-based meta-analysis is a distinct advantage;
  • Experience with analysis of global, national and/or multi-level governance systems is an asset;
  • 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,
  • 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) up to three writing samples, (4) all relevant certificates and transcripts (incl. Abitur / high school), and (5) 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!