Postdoctoral Research Associate (f/m/d) for an Interdisciplinary Research Project on AI in Education

Universität Bremen; Deutschland; Vor Ort; EUR 55.000 - 70.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A leading German university is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate in education and educational sciences. The role involves interdisciplinary research on the impact of AI in education, with responsibilities including data analysis and co-implementing research studies. Candidates should hold a doctorate in a related field and have hands-on experience with LLM technologies and research methodologies. This full-time, fixed-term role offers a dynamic work environment and opportunities for professional development.

Leistungen

Annual bonus payment

30 days of annual leave

Opportunities for professional development

Flexible working hours

Support from a collegial team

Qualifikationen

• Completed academic university degree (Master's/University Diploma) and completed doctorate.
• Applicants in the final phase of their doctorate will also be considered.
• Willingness to engage in collaborative research.

Aufgaben

• Co-planning and implementation of the research program using mixed-methods.
• Co-implementation of interview studies with AI developers.
• Contribution to research publications.

Kenntnisse

Experience with LLMs including prompt engineering

Experience with Python and/or R

Experience in research on educational technologies

Interest in interdisciplinary research

High level of commitment

Ausbildung

Completed doctorate in a relevant field

Tools

Python

R

Jobbeschreibung

Organisation/Company Universität Bremen Department Fachbereich 12 Erziehungs- und Bildungswissenschaften Research Field Educational sciences » Education Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Country Germany Application Deadline 2 Dec 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Berlin) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number A242-25 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The University of Bremen is seeking to fill a position in Faculty 12 (Education and Educational Sciences) in cooperation with Faculty 3 (Mathematics/Computer Science) as a

Postdoctoral Research Associate (f/m/d)

Pay Grade 13 TV-L

Full-time position (39.2 hours per week), fixed-term for 2 years (pursuant to § 2 WissZeitVG).

Part-time employment is generally possible. Details may be arranged with the respective faculties involved.

Job Description:

"Tools or Masters? On the hidden curriculum of AI appropriation in schools" is a newly approved research project that will be funded by the University of Bremen's central research funding program starting January 1, 2026.

The workplace and employment will be at the Center for Media, Communication and Information Research (ZeMKI) in the research lab "Media & Education" led by Prof. Dr. Karsten D. Wolf and in the research lab "Socio-technical Systems and Critical Data Studies" led by Prof. Dr. Andreas Breiter.

This interdisciplinary project investigates the opportunities and risks of communicative AI appropriation by students and teachers in secondary schools and how this is interwoven with the data infrastructures, design decisions, data models, and algorithms of AI platform providers and EdTech companies.

The research will be conducted using highly innovative methods from the social sciences, critical data and media literacy studies, as well as HCI, including digital & computational methods.

Further information about the project, the research group, and the diverse additional opportunities for postdocs can be found on the website: https://zemki.uni-bremen.de .

Your Responsibilities

• Co-planning and implementation of the research program using a mixed-methods approach to analyze embedded principles or "instructional biases" in general LLMs (Large Language Models) and education-specific ComAI tools (such as structured prompt sequences, contrastive analysis, consistency tests, and preference measurement; quantitative: bias detection and benchmarking)
• Co-implementation of interview studies with AI developers regarding subjective theories about "good" teaching strategies
• Planning and management of data collection in field studies
• Quantitative data analysis
• Contribution to research publications

This position includes academic teaching duties amounting to 2 SWS (teaching subject knowledge and practical skills as well as instruction in the application of scientific methods in Bachelor's and Master's degree programs according to the applicable teaching load regulations, teaching export (= subject-specific teaching for other teaching units))

Requirements

• Completed academic university degree (Master's/University Diploma) and completed doctorate/dissertation in Computer Science, Media Informatics, HCI, Communication and Media Studies, Educational Sciences, Educational Psychology, Educational Technology, or a comparable field with a solid foundation in empirical research methods
• Applicants who are in the final phase of their doctorate will also be considered. Please note that submission of the doctoral certificate is mandatory for employment.
• Experience with LLMs including prompt engineering and underlying technologies
• Experience with Python and/or R in the fields of educational sciences, communication & media studies, or AI research
• Experience in research on educational technologies, AI tools, or social media
• Interest in interdisciplinary research projects in the field of educational technology
• Willingness to engage in collaborative research
• High level of commitment and initiative, team skills, careful and reliable work approach

It would also be advantageous if you have an in-depth understanding of AI/LLM models as well as prior experience in (interdisciplinary) research projects.

General Information

We offer:

• Annual bonus payment ("Christmas bonus"), regular salary increases according to collective agreement, and supplementary pension through the public service (VBL)
• A secure, interesting, and varied position at a progressive university
• 30 days of annual leave per calendar year
• A diverse, future-oriented, and open organizational culture
• Support from a collegial and motivated team with a positive work climate
• Individual onboarding
• Opportunities for professional development and continuing education
• Work-life balance through flexible working hours (flextime) and the possibility of mobile work (within given framework conditions)
• Free consultation services in the areas of social and family counseling
• Active workplace health management, including discounts for local sports clubs, fitness centers, and swimming pools (EGYM WELLPASS)
• The opportunity to obtain a job ticket for public transportation
• Numerous sports and cultural offerings
• Great food options in the student services cafeterias

Open to unconventional approaches in research and teaching, the University of Bremen has preserved its character as a place of short distances for people and ideas since its founding 50 years ago. With a broad range of disciplines, we combine exceptional performance and great innovation potential. As an ambitious research university, we stand for the approach of research-based learning and a strong orientation toward interdisciplinarity. We actively shape scientific collaborations worldwide in a spirit of partnership.

Today, around 23,000 people learn, teach, research, and work on our international campus. In research and teaching, administration and operations, we are firmly committed to the goals of sustainability, climate justice, and climate neutrality. Our Bremen Spirit is expressed in the courage to try new things, in supportive collaboration, and in mutual respect and appreciation. With our study and research profile and as part of the European YUFE network, we take on social responsibility in the region, in Europe, and in the world.

The University is family-friendly, diverse, and sees itself as an international institution. We therefore welcome all applicants regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/worldview, disability, age, sexual orientation, and identity.

The University of Bremen intends to increase the proportion of female employees in academia, which is why women are expressly encouraged to apply. With equal qualifications, women will be given priority consideration, unless reasons relating to a male candidate prevail.

Severely disabled persons will be given preference in the event of an application if their professional and personal qualifications are essentially equal.

For general questions about the application process and for substantive inquiries about the advertised position, please contact: Prof. Dr. Karsten D. Wolf ( [e-mail] ) oder Prof. Dr. Andreas Breiter ( [e-mail] ).

Application Instructions

Please submit your application with complete and meaningful documents (cover letter stating your areas of focus, CV, dissertation, additional publications if available, certificates) by quoting reference number A242-25 by 12/02/2025 as a single PDF file via unencrypted email to [e-mail]

or by postal mail to:

University of Bremen
Center for Media, Communication and Information Research (ZeMKI)
Attn: Prof. Dr. Karsten D. Wolf
Linzer Straße 4
28359 Bremen
Germany

Please note that photographs should not be included with application materials.

We ask that you submit only copies (no folders/binders), as we cannot return them. After completion of the selection process, your application materials will be retained in accordance with legal requirements and subsequently destroyed.

Any costs incurred for the application process cannot be reimbursed.