Postdoc Position (m/f/d) for Cluster of Excellence "Transforming Human Rights"

Job Overview

The Cluster of Excellence “Transforming Human Rights”, based at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen‑Nürnberg (FAU), addresses fundamental questions about the potential and limits of human rights in the context of several major worldwide transformation processes. The Cluster’s Research Innovation Hub will contribute to fostering inter‑ and transdisciplinary research within a large‑scale, multi‑year consortium by identifying and pursuing new lines of scholarship that address overarching theoretical and conceptual questions of human rights that span the different lines of research pursued in the Cluster.

Benefits

• Regular promotion to the next level and increase in salary pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement for the public service of the German Länder (TV‑L) or remuneration pursuant to the Bavarian Public Servants Remuneration Act (BayBesG) plus an additional annual bonus
• 30 days annual leave at five working days per week with additional free days on December 24 and 31
• Occupational pension scheme and asset accumulation savings scheme

Responsibilities

For the funding period 2026–2032, a postdoc (TVL‑13) will:

• Conduct independent and joint, theoretically ambitious research on human rights that aligns with the Cluster’s overall research agenda (≈ 60 % of the full‑time position) and has opportunity for a habilitation project
• Implement central tasks of the Research Innovation Hub in close coordination with the Hub’s facilitators, Prof. Almut Schilling‑Vacaflor and Prof. Erasmus Mayr (≈ 40 % of the full‑time position)
• Support the organization of workshops and similar events (including innovative formats) to advance theory integration and development, facilitate the identification of joint foundational research topics, and develop new theoretical frameworks for understanding and analyzing the role of human rights across different disciplines
• Advance dialogue between disciplines, organize interdisciplinary workshops on methodology, and support the development and training of relevant research competences, including research‑ethics skills specific to human rights research

Requirements

• Strong research background in human rights theory, with a completed PhD in philosophy, legal theory, political science, anthropology, or a related discipline
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, with the ability to work independently, proactively, and in a structured manner
• Enthusiasm for working in large interdisciplinary research groups and finding innovative ways to connect work between different disciplines
• Interest in diverse research methodologies, notably transdisciplinary methods
• Fluency in English; additional languages are an asset

Desirable Qualifications

• Prior experience working in larger interdisciplinary research groups
• Knowledge of ethical standards in human rights research

Additional Information

We seek to realise equal opportunities and encourage applications from interested individuals regardless of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, ethnicity, religion or belief. The Cluster has appointed an Equity and Diversity Steward and an Equity and Diversity Coordinator who will participate in the selection process. For all vacancies, the Friedrich‑Alexander‑Universität promotes professional equality for women; women are therefore expressly encouraged to apply. Persons with a severe disability are given preference when they meet the required qualifications, if the position is suitable for them. Details can be found in the respective posting under the section “Bemerkungen”. If requested, the equality officer can be invited to the interview without disadvantaging applicants. All advertised positions are generally part‑time eligible, unless otherwise noted.

Application Procedure

Please submit your application documents (motivation letter, CV, academic degrees and records, writing sample, and a research exposure that outlines your research interests in relation to the Cluster) on the FAU online platform. The application deadline is , and interviews will take place in late January. The postdoc is expected to start, ideally, no later than April 2026. Further questions can be directed to the Cluster’s Executive Director, Dr. Robert Fischer ( ).

Contact

• Email:
• Phone: +49 1520 

Release date: 

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