Transformation Lab: Postdoctoral Research Associate (with a background in philosophy, cultural studies, sociology, sustainability studies, educational science or a related field)

28.05.2025

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-based partners and an overall dynamic development characterize its research profile in the fields of culture, education, management & technology, public affairs, and sustainability. With the university-wide research development program “Embracing Transformation through research, education and knowledge transfer” (in short “Embracing Transformation”) Leuphana aims to establish itself as a leading university for the analysis and critical reflection of transformation processes. More than one hundred researchers at various career levels will collaborate in an interdisciplinary environment to generate transformation knowledge that empowers individuals and communities to manage societal challenges and develop solutions for the common good.

Visit our website to learn more about the five Key Subject Areas that are involved in the project: “Climate Futures in Digital Cultures”, “Companies das Drivers of Sustainability Transformations”, “Democratic Resilience”, “Organizing in Times of Crisis”, and “Toward a Regenerative Society”, complemented by a “Psychology of Transformation” acting as a Hub Science. To create synergies between these various fields and explore new perspectives, the “Leuphana Transformation Lab“ will be established as a shared intellectual and physical space to promote collaboration among the researchers involved.

The university is looking for a responsible, motivated and committed person for the Leuphana Transformation Lab to fill the position of a

Postdoctoral Research Associate
(with a background in philosophy, cultural studies, sociology, sustainability studies, educational science or a related field)

(salary group EG 13 TV-L, as a full-time employee for a limited period until 31 August 2030 to start on 1 October 2025 or depending on your availability)

We invite you to become part of an exciting community of highly motivated scholars and offer you the opportunity to advance your academic career as a postdoctoral researcher. You will be able to refine your own profile and build an international network by working with numerous professors, other postdocs, doctoral students and international fellows in a stimulating interdisciplinary setting. You will significantly further your field of study and its integration into the research agenda of “Embracing Transformation”, thus positioning yourself as an expert in the highly dynamic and future-oriented field of transformation research. To fully benefit from the purpose and value of collaborative and interdisciplinary research facilitated by a shared physical space, an adequate presence on campus is expected.

In order to support the integrative academic agenda of the Leuphana Transformation Lab, the postdoctoral research associate is expected to conduct original research that substantially contributes to the conceptualization and theoretical refinement of transformative literacy, understood as the capacity to comprehend, navigate, and actively shape complex societal transformation processes. This includes critically examining and further developing relevant theories, methodologies, and models that enable individuals and institutions to build transformative capabilities.

The successful candidate will play a central role in transferring research findings into innovative educational formats, particularly within the Leuphana Semester and Complementary Studies of Leuphana College and the Graduate School, as well as in the continuing education programs of the Professional School. These efforts aim to foster transformative competencies across different educational levels and target groups. In addition, the research associate is expected to engage in strategic cooperation with stakeholders from business, politics, culture, and civil society. Through participatory formats and co-creative approaches, they will contribute to enhancing the reflexive and practical capacities of actors involved in transformative processes. The position therefore requires both a strong motivation and aptitude for conceptual academic research as well as for practice-oriented engagement with diverse stakeholders.

Your tasks:

Conduct research that contributes to the conceptualization of transformative literacy in close collaboration with researchers in the Leuphana Transformation Lab and the Key Subject Areas.
Develop educational formats for teaching transformative literacy as a subject matter and key competency in Leuphana’s courses and beyond
Conception and realization of formats with external stakeholders for the dissemination of “Transformative Literacy”, e. g. through interaction with Leuphana’s Innovation Communities to enhance the transformative capabilities of actors in in business, politics, culture, and (civil) society
Advance your own academic career by preparing for a junior professorship or seeking funding for a junior research group, for example
Participate in and co-organize regular meetings and workshops in the Leuphana Transformation Lab
Co-supervise doctoral students
Contribute to teaching based on the academic program of the lab in Leuphana’s study programs (2 German SWS = 1.5 regular teaching hours per week during the term)

Your qualifications:

Doctorate in Philosophy, Cultural Studies, Sociology or a related field
Strong research and publication record, ideally related to issues of transformation in contemporary societies
Proven ability and motivation for interdisciplinary research, knowledge integration and dissemination
Experience in translating research into educational and training formats, and in disseminating academic content to businesses and society, would be an advantage
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English (having an at least basic command of German is an advantage)
Strong personal initiative, perseverance, excellent organizational skills, and ability to work in multicultural teams

Our offer:

An inspiring cutting-edge collaborative research environment with multiple established and early-career scholars and scientists working together in an attractive modern university building
Green and friendly campus at the edge of the picturesque Hanseatic town of Lüneburg, close to the Northern German metropolis Hamburg
An additional company pension scheme through the Versorgungsanstalt des Bundes und der Länder (VBL)
Flexible and family-friendly working hours within a time frame between 6 am and 9 pm, including opportunities for remote working
Wide range of additional (subsidized) benefits: continuing education, sporting activities, lunch and dinner, public transport ticket valid in the whole of Germany
An additional company pension scheme through the Versorgungsanstalt des Bundes und der Länder (VBL)

Your application:

For further information please contact Prof. Dr. Erich Hörl (erich.hoerl@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, including a research proposal and outline of your research interests on up to five pages. In addition, please include a CV (without photo) and a motivation letter in which you briefly describe (1) your qualifications, (2) how your envisaged research project may contribute to the overarching research profile of the Leuphana Transformation Lab, and (3) how working in this setting will be beneficial for your own academic career. Please send it by the 29^th of June 2025 digitally (summarized in a PDF file) or by post to:

Leuphana Universität Lüneburg

Human Resources and Legal Affairs / Application Management

Subject: Transformative Literacy

Universitätsallee 1

21335 Lüneburg

jobs@leuphana.de