Postdoctoral Researcher

Universitätsbibliothek der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin; Köln; Vor Ort; EUR 60.000 - 80.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A prominent university in Germany is offering a Postdoctoral Researcher position in Social and Cultural Anthropology. The role involves conducting ethnographic field studies related to renewable energy in Kenya, supporting household surveys, and collaborating with Ph.D. students. Candidates should hold a Ph.D., have qualitative research experience, and possess excellent English communication skills. The position is full-time, starting April 2026, and offers a supportive research environment along with flexible working models.

Leistungen

Integration in a research environment

Diverse working environment

Support in work-life balance

Advanced training opportunities

Occupational health management

Flexible working time models

Qualifikationen

• An excellent Ph.D. degree in Social/Cultural Anthropology or a neighbouring discipline.
• Internationally relevant publication record.
• Proven experience with (qualitative) ethnographic research methods.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English.
• Ability to travel and work independently in the tropics with extended fieldwork periods.

Aufgaben

• Conduct ethnographic field studies on socioeconomic impacts of renewable energies.
• Support implementation of household survey in Kenya.
• Write and present scholarly publications and research findings.
• Participate in team meetings in Cologne and Bonn.
• Support Ph.D. students and project management.

Kenntnisse

Ethnographic research methods

Written and spoken English

Fieldwork

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Ausbildung

Ph.D. in Social/Cultural Anthropology or related discipline

Jobbeschreibung

The University of Cologne has the following job opening:

Postdoctoral Researcher Social and Cultural Anthropology

We are one of the largest and oldest universities in Europe and one of the most important employers in our region. Our broad range of subjects, the dynamic development of our main research areas and our central location in Cologne make us attractive for students and researchers from around the world. We offer a wide range of career opportunities in science, technology, and administration.

The Collaborative Research Center CRC-TRR 228 “Future Rural Africa. Future-making and social-ecological transformation” combines expertise from the University of Bonn and the University of Cologne to study newly emerging issues of social-ecological transformation and future-making in Africa. Project Energy Futures invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Position in the field of Social and Cultural Anthropology.

YOUR TASKS

• Conducting ethnographic field studies on the socioeconomic impacts associated with the expansion of geothermal and/or other renewable energies in Kenya and beyond
• Support in the implementation of a household survey in Kenya
• Writing individual and collaborative project-related scholarly publications and presenting research findings at academic conferences
• Participation in and contribution to regular team meetings in Cologne and Bonn
• Supporting CRC-TRR 228 Ph.D. students and project management

YOUR PROFILE

• An excellent Ph.D. degree in Social/Cultural Anthroplogy or a neighbouring discipline
• An internationally relevant publication record
• Proven experience with (qualitative) ethnographic research methods
• Excellent command of written and spoken English
• Ability to travel and willingness to work independently in the tropics, including extended periods of fieldwork in urban and rural East Africa and other places
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Motivated to work empirically as well as conceptually as part of an interdisciplinary research team

WE OFFER

• Integration in the outstanding research environment of the Global South Studies Center (GSSC) at the University of Cologne
• A diverse working environment with equal opportunities
• Support in balancing work and family life
• Extensive advanced training opportunities
• Occupational health management offers
• Flexible working time models

The University of Cologne promotes equal opportunities and diversity. Women will be considered preferentially in accordance with the Equal Opportunities Act of North Rhine-Westphalia (Landesgleichstellungsgesetz – LGG NRW). We also expressly welcome applications from all suitable candidates regardless of their gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity.

The position is available from 1st of April 2026 on a full-time basis (39,83 hours per week). It is limited for a fixed term until 31 December 2029. If the applicant meets the relevant wage requirements and personal qualifications, the salary is based on remuneration group 13 TV-L of the pay scale for the German public sector.