Postdoctoral Researcher (m/f/d, 50–100%) – Sustainable Entrepreneurship & Energy – TUM, Profess[...]

Postdoctoral position (50–100%) at TUM in the field of sustainable entrepreneurship and energy. Research on the scaling and impact of sustainable enterprises in the Global South. Embedded in international networks (TUM SEED Centre & TUM ENERGISE Centre). Start: June 2026.

The Professorship for Entrepreneurial Sustainability – Brewing and Food Industry (Prof. Belz) at the Technical University of Munich invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher. The position is embedded in the TUM SEED Centre and the TUM ENERGISE Centre, international research networks connecting leading universities across Europe, Africa, and Asia. The Chair maintains an active publication record in leading journals on sustainable entrepreneurship and provides strong mentorship to pursue an international academic career.

Start: 1 June 2026 (or upon agreement)

Contract duration: 3 years (extension possible)

Workload: 50–100% (negotiable)

The position focuses on research on the scaling and impact of sustainable enterprises in the Global South. We are particularly interested in the scaling and impact pathways of sustainable energy enterprises in emerging and developing economies. Relevant research domains include entrepreneurial ecosystems, institutional contexts, mini-grids, productive use of energy, and impact measurement. The postdoctoral researcher will play a key role in shaping the Chair’s research agenda on scaling and impact of sustainable enterprises, and is encouraged to develop their own complementary research stream within this domain.

The position is designed to support the development of an independent academic profile and preparation for an international academic career (e.g. tenure-track or habilitation). Opportunities for first-author publications, grant co-development, and international collaboration are explicitly supported.

Your Responsibilities

• Develop and conduct independent research projects within the research area of sustainable entrepreneurship
• Develop and lead publications in collaboration with the Chair and international partners, targeting leading international disciplinary journals in entrepreneurship (e.g. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice) and interdisciplinary journals relating to energy (e.g. Energy Research and Social Science)
• Lead and co-develop research projects within international consortia (SEED and ENERGISE)
• Co-supervise doctoral researchers and contribute to academic mentoring
• Participate in field research activities in collaboration with partner universities in the Global South
• Conduct and coordinate primary data collection (e.g. case studies, surveys, experiments)
• Teach courses at the Technical University of Munich (limited teaching load)

The Professorship Offers

• A stimulating research environment at one of Europe’s leading universities
• Close collaboration in international interdisciplinary research networks (SEED and ENERGISE)
• Academic mentorship and support in building an independent research agenda
• Access to established international field research infrastructure through partner universities and ongoing projects
• Mobility funding for international research stays and conferences
• Salary according to TV-L up to E14 (depending on qualifications)
• Flexible workload (50–100%)

Job Qualifications

• Doctorate or PhD in management, entrepreneurship, energy, or a related discipline
• Demonstrated potential for an independent research agenda and strong publication pipeline
• Evidence of international research orientation (e.g. working papers, conference presentations, or publications in peer-reviewed journals)
• Interest in theory development at the intersection of entrepreneurship, energy and policy
• Experience with empirical research methods (qualitative or mixed methods are particularly welcome)
• Interest in field research in emerging and developing economies
• Excellent English language skills (written and spoken)
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an international research environment

Application

Please submit your application (motivation letter, CV, certificates, references, and publications) by 13 April 2026 to the following form:

Equal Opportunity

The Technical University of Munich seeks to increase the proportion of women in research and teaching. Applications from qualified women are therefore particularly welcome.

The position is suitable for disabled persons. Disabled applicants will be given preference in case of generally equivalent suitability, aptitude and professional performance.

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