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Research Associate (m/f/d) IMAPP

2026-07-22

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.

For a BMFTR-funded research project under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Valentin Schatz, Junior Professor of Public Law, European Law and Public International Law, in particular Environmental Law and the Law of the Sea, we are looking for a

Research Associate (m/f/d)
Subject: IMAPP
(salary groupEG 13 TV-L, 100%, limited until 31. August 2027)

Under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Valentin Schatz, you are responsible for the completion of the sub-project Legal and Institutional Analysis of the Legal Framework for Marine Protected Areas as part of the joint interdisciplinary project Integrative Mapping and Prioritization of Atlantic Protected Areas (IMAPP). IMAPP, which will have run for two of its initial three years when your position starts, aims to develop science-based tools to support decision-making regarding the designation of EBSAs and MPAs in areas beyond national jurisdiction of the Atlantic Ocean based on a spatial prioritization of nature conservation taking into account ecological, economic and legal criteria. The project consortium is coordinated by Prof. Dr. Flemming Dahlke, Institute of Marine Ecosystem and Fishery Sciences (IMF), University of Hamburg. The remaining partners are: University of Bremen; Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI); Leipzig University, German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv); Kiel University (CAU), Center for Ocean and Society (CEOS).

Your tasks:

  • Legal and policy research concerning the legal and institutional ocean governance framework with respect to the establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs) in areas beyond national jurisdiction (i.e. the High Seas and the Area) in the Atlantic Ocean. The project includes analysis of both existing instruments and institutions (such as RFMOs, the IMO and the ISA) and the new Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement).
  • Drafting of project reports, recommendations and research outputs (e.g., peer-reviewed journal articles).
  • Presentation of research results to (inter)disciplinary audiences at project meetings, stakeholder workshops and (inter)national conferences.
  • Project management and organizational tasks (e.g., organizing one or more project workshops at Leuphana University of Lüneburg).
  • Further develop your own academic qualification.
  • The position does not involve any teaching obligations, but the possibility of teaching via separate teaching contracts exists for candidates who seek to develop their academic teaching portfolio.

Your profile:

  • Completed master’s degree in law (either 1st German State examination, LL.M. degree or equivalent).
  • Completed Ph.D. degree in public international law (Dr. iur. or equivalent) desirable.
  • Proven ability to conduct independent academic research in the field of public international law.
  • A research focus in the international law of the sea is desirable, but strong candidates with a track record in other fields of public international law (for example, international environmental or international institutional law) are encouraged to apply even in the absence of a track record in the law of the sea.
  • Ability and willingness to work in an interdisciplinary research project consortium.
  • Ability and willingness to work with public authorities and other relevant stakeholders.
  • Good project management skills.
  • Very good verbal and written English language skills.
  • Verbal and written German language skills are desirable but not required.

We 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 designed by Daniel Libeskind and the directly adjacent Wilschenbruch nature reserve,
  • 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, and
  • 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 questions regarding the position, please contact Prof. Dr. Valentin Schatz (valentin.schatz@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. 

We look forward to receiving your application. The following application documents should be submitted in German or English:

  • Letter of motivation
  • CV (without photo) and list of publications
  • Certificates of your academic degrees, including of the Ph.D./doctorate
  • At least one writing sample (e.g., a journal article or a chapter of your Ph.D. dissertation)

Please submit all required documents (without photo) via our application portal by 04.08.2026. We look forward to receiving your application!