Acadamic staff member in the “Reflexive Human Differentiation” project

Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz; Deutschland; Vor Ort; EUR 40.000 - 55.000; Teilzeit

Zusammenfassung

A prominent university in Germany is seeking a Research Associate for a sociology project focused on gender and sexuality. Suitable candidates should have a Master's degree in social sciences and solid qualitative research skills. Responsibilities include conducting ethnographic fieldwork and analysis of qualitative data. This part-time position is paid according to EG 13 TV-L and is fixed-term until 30 June 2029, offering strong support for academic careers and a collaborative working environment.

Leistungen

Support for academic careers

Health and sports facilities on campus

Daycare places for parents and carers

Qualifikationen

• Completed MA in the social sciences, ideally sociology.
• Solid experience with qualitative research methods.
• Very good command of spoken and written German and English.

Aufgaben

• Conduct ethnographic fieldwork in gender-related peer groups.
• Plan and conduct biographical-narrative interviews.
• Perform qualitative analysis of collected data.

Kenntnisse

Qualitative research methods

Empirical reflexivity

Communication skills

Teamwork

Ausbildung

Master's degree in social sciences (ideally sociology)

Jobbeschreibung

Organisation/Company Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz Research Field Sociology » Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 11 Jan 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Berlin) Country Germany Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Part-time Hours Per Week 25,35 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number 287-2025 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) is one of the largest universities in Germany. Thanks to its location in the Rhine-Main science region, the university can unfold to its full potential and showcase its innovative power and dynamism. Its status as a comprehensive university allows for multidisciplinary learning and teaching and has great potential for internationally renowned, interdisciplinary research. Almost all of its institutes are located on a single campus close to the Mainz city center – creating a lively academic culture for researchers, teaching staff, and students from every continent.

The sociological research project “Reflexive Human Differentiation: Sexual and Gendered Self-Problematisations” in the Sociology of the Body unit at the Institute of Sociology (Prof. Boll) is seeking to appoint a motivated and committed candidate to fill a position as research associate at the earliest possible date.

The project is part of the DFG Collaborative Research Centre 1482: Studies in Human Differentiation. The CRC addresses the fundamental theoretical question of how people differentiate between one another – for example along lines of nationality, ethnicity, religious affiliation, age, achievement, gender, or sexuality.

The subproject investigates how people assume, problematize, and reconfigure their belonging to categories of sexuality and gender, and how they work on their own categorization in counselling contexts, peer groups, and digital discourses. The focus is on the practices through which such self-problematizations are produced, negotiated, and stabilized. To this end, the project employs a multi-method research design.

• Pursuing an independent doctoral research project within the thematic scope of the subproject
• Conducting ethnographic fieldwork in gender-related peer groups
• Planning and conducting biographical-narrative interviews and focus groups
• Performing qualitative analysis of the collected data
• Contributing to scholarly publications, conference presentations, and project reports
• Active participation in the regular meetings, colloquia, and events of CRC 1482 and the Sociology of the Body unit
• Presenting your research findings at national and international conferences as well as within the internal framework of the Collaborative Research Centre

In addition to the general requirements according to public services law, applicants must meet the recruitment requirements stipulated in § 57 of the Hochschulgesetz of Rhineland-Palatinate.

• a scientific university degree (MA) in the social sciences, completed with above-average results, ideally in sociology
• solid experience with qualitative research methods and with the analysis and interpretation of qualitative data
• good knowledge of social-constructionist approaches in gender studies
• knowledge of the sociology of knowledge, body sociology and/or the sociology of sexuality is an asset
• strong empirical and theoretical reflexivity, particularly with regard to one’s own positionality in the research field and to research ethics
• very good command of spoken and written German
• good command of spoken and written English
• openness to diverse forms of life and experience, a high sensitivity to gender- and sexuality-related differentiations, and a respectful, attentive approach to queer and trans* contexts
• strong teamwork, organizational, and communication skills
• a structured, independent, and reliable working style
• willingness to be regularly present in Mainz and in the Rhine-Main region

Additional Information

• Strong support for your own academic career
• A wide range of offers for the development of your talents and perspectives
• Support for parents and carers, daycare places and a wide range of health and sports facilities on campus
• We believe in success through a motivating and appreciative culture, equal opportunities and diversity. That is why we promote open exchange, respectful interaction and competent leadership.
• Located close to the city center of Mainz, the campus is easily accessible by all means of transport and with our job ticket you have a lively and culturally diverse city within easy reach

Selection process

Are you ready for a new challenge and interested in this varied and responsible position? Then submit your complete application [cover letter, CV, relevant (work) certificates (with German recognition if applicable)] by 1/11/2026, via the „ Apply now “ button, including all required documents (cover letter, CV, relevant certificates [with recognition in Germany, if applicable], and full-text PDF versions of your Master’s and Bachelor’s theses).

Additional comments

The position is paid according to EG 13 TV-Land and is to be filled on a fixed-term basis until 30 June 2029, starting at the earliest possible date.

The position serves the purpose of academic qualification (doctorate).

JGU is a place of diversity and expressly welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, social or ethnic background, religion or belief, disability, or sexual identity.

We aim to increase the number of women in the field of research and teaching and therefore encourage female researchers to apply.

People with severe disabilities and people with disabilities who are treated equally in accordance with Section 2 (3) SGB IX will be given preferential consideration if they are suitable.