Junior professorship „Political Psychology, in particular Empirical Negotiation Research and Security Studies“ (W1 with optional Tenure Track leading to W2)

25.06.2026 THE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT LEUPHANA UNIVERSITY OF LÜNEBURG INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING JUNIOR PROFESSORSHIP WITH AN OPTION FOR A TENURE TRACK LEADING TO A PERMANENT PROFESSORSHIP (W2):

Political Psychology, in particular Empirical Negotiation Research and Security Studies (W1 with optional Tenure Track leading to W2)

We are seeking an early career researcher with exceptional potential to join the newly established Leuphana Centre for Cooperative Security (LCCS). The professorship represents the area of political psychology with a focus on negotiation research and security studies. The professorship is based at the Institute of Political Science and contributes to the establishment of the LCCS by developing a research profile at the intersection of political psychology, empirical negotiation research and security studies.

The newly established Leuphana Centre for Cooperative Security (LCCS) is an interdisciplinary center for research on security that combines the subjects of law, economics, political science, and psychology. Resting on a broad conception of security that goes beyond the traditional focus on the military security of states, it conducts basic research on the ways in which and the conditions under which cooperation may enhance or undermine security in three principal areas: international security, internal security and economic security. The LCCS also develops recommendations for action in politics, business, and society, focusing on cooperative solutions to the consequences of diverse security threats for Germany in the European context. As a space for research and debate on the pressing security issues of the 21st century, the LCCS connects researchers from Leuphana, Germany, and around the world with expert representatives from the field. The position thus strengthens the School of Public Affairs by advancing their shared focus on democratic and societal resilience within the University‘s “Embracing Transformation” framework.

For this position, we are seeking an early career researcher in psychology or its relevant subfield of research such as political, social, peace, military, law, environmental, or community psychology willing to develop an innovative and internationally visible research profile analyzing the psychological mechanisms that underpin political negotiations in security-related fields such as diplomacy, mediation, peace and conflict, (nuclear) deterrence or crisis bargaining. Your research examines the psychological mechanisms of social interaction in processes of negotiation, coordination or conflict among actors with different interests, values, risk perceptions or behavioral options. You thus pursue research that may serve as a foundation for developing an innovative research agenda at the intersection of psychological negotiation research and security, for example in the area of political psychology and security, psychology and peace, psychological negotiation analysis, psychological cooperation or conflict research and psychological research on threat perceptions and security experience. Research that already engages psychological negotiations analysis with respect to security issues is an asset; and so is the analysis of negotiations in multi-actor and multi-cultural constellations, as these are common in the security realm. Your research is characterized by a broad spectrum of methodological approaches including the analysis of observational data through multivariate regression analyses, (quasi-)experiments, qualitative approaches (archives, interviews, document analysis) and computational methods (text and discourse analysis of political communication, content analysis).

You demonstrate an emerging research agenda that holds innovative potential for combining political psychology, psychological negotiation analysis and security studies within the broader research agenda of the LCCS. You thus combine an initial track record of publications in recognized peer-reviewed outlets on one (or more) aspects of such an agenda with a convincing strategy for how you will advance your current research to develop such an interdisciplinary agenda more fully during the course of the tenure track. Ideally, you have already established a vibrant international network and have experience in communicating your research to the public and other non-academic stakeholders. Furthermore, you bring as far as possible initial experience in the acquisition of externally funded projects and have a convincing strategy for successfully obtaining external funding during the junior professorship, including in larger projects as part of the LCCS.

In terms of teaching, we are seeking a candidate with teaching experience in the field of political psychology and/or psychological negotiation analysis at the bachelor and ideally also the master level. As junior professor, you will offer electives and methods courses in our bachelor and master programs in political science, supervise theses, and contribute to the continuing development of the programs. Prospectively, you will also contribute to the doctoral training in political science and psychology. You develop teaching methods in line with Leuphana’s approach of research-based education and an emphasis on activating students. You contribute to Leuphana’s educational philosophy, and you show commitment to uphold the high standards of our programs. Most of our courses at the bachelor and master level are taught in English. Consequently, we expect an excellent command of written and spoken English.

According to § 30 of the Lower Saxony Higher Education Act (NHG), formal requirements are a university degree in psychology, political psychology or a discipline relevant to the open position; a PhD in a discipline relevant to the open position; your aptitude for teaching; and your ability to engage in independent academic research as demonstrated by the outstanding quality of your dissertation.

The junior professorship (pay grade W1) will be established within the Leuphana Center for Cooperative Security (LCCS) and is initially limited to a period of three years. The position will be extended for an additional three years, subject to a positive academic evaluation (in accordance with the guidelines for the mid-term evaluation of junior professors of Leuphana University of Lüneburg). The standard teaching load is 4 LVS. Depending on whether funding for the LCCS is secured on a long-term basis, there is the option of a tenure track. In this case, a positive tenure evaluation process according to the Tenure-Track Regulations of Leuphana University of Lüneburg will lead to a permanent W2 full-time professorship.

At Leuphana you will find an academic community that is open to changes in perspective and cultivates dialogue among the different disciplines as well as between research and practice. With spirit and initiative, we address challenges of civil society in the 21st century. Pursuing our idea of liberal education, our students are enabled to think, question and act upon it. Our professors foster awareness of gender and diversity aspects in teaching as well as research.

Leuphana University is an equal opportunities employer. The university aims to increase its number of female professors. Qualified women are especially invited to apply. Severely disabled applicants and applicants with equivalent status will be considered preferentially in accordance with the applicable legal provisions.

For further information, please contact the Dean of the School of Public Affairs, Prof. Dr. Johanna Croon-Gestefeld (Johanna.croon-gestefeld@leuphana.de).

Please submit your application (without an application photo) consisting of the following materials in two separate PDF files: a) letter of motivation, CV, copies of academic degrees, a selection of recent course evaluations (max. 3), and a research concept as well as b) your two most relevant publications. The research concept describes, in not more than 3 pages, how you plan to develop your existing research profile to align (more closely) with the profile of the advertised position during the six years of the Junior Professorship. Please enclose the completed application form (as Excel file) with your documents in English language. Guidance on the required application materials can be found here.

Applications should be sent preferably by email using the key word “Political Psychology (W1)” to beko@leuphana.de or to the President of Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Post Box 2440, Lüneburg D-21314 by September 09, 2026. Please be aware that we cannot return application documents sent physically.

By submitting your application, you consent to your data being stored and processed for the purpose of the recruitment process.

Please note our Data Protection Notice for Applicants (in English or in German).

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