Postdoctoral Researcher (m/f/x)

Universität des Saarlandes Dezernat Personal; Saarbrücken; Hybrid; EUR 53,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Conference funding

State‑of‑the‑art research infra.

Flexible work schedule with telework

Supplementary pension (RZVK)

Job bike leasing (JobRad)

Job summary

Saarland University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher (m/f/x) in the research group of Prof. Dr. Valentin Lang, salary per TV-L, pay grade E13, for two years at 100% time. Reference number W2927.

The position includes teaching, research, and participation in group activities. You should have a PhD in economics, political science or related field, strong quantitative skills (causal inference preferred), and fluency in English. German knowledge is helpful but not required.

Qualifications

• PhD in economics, political science, computational social science, or related field.
• Research experience in political economy or economic policy preferred.
• Strong quantitative methods, with causal inference expertise.
• Experience with geocoded data, text data, survey data, or novel data sources is advantageous.
• Proficiency in R, Stata, or Python.
• Excellent English; German helpful but not required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct and publish high-quality research in political economy and economic policy.
• Collaborate on projects that contribute to the group’s research agenda.
• Teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses in English or German, with a teaching load of four teaching hours per week during the semester ("4 SWS").
• Contribute to the group’s research support, organizational, and administrative activities.

Skills

Quantitative research methods

Causal inference

Data analysis

Programming: R/Stata/Python

Academic publications

English proficiency

Education

PhD in economics, political science, computational social science, or related discipline

Job description

Saarland University is a campus university that is internationally recognized for its strong research programmes. Fostering young academic talent and creating ideal conditions for teaching and research are a core part of the university’s mission. As part of the University of the Greater Region, Saarland University enables students and staff to share and exchange knowledge and ideas between disciplines, between universities and across borders. With over 17,000 national and international students, studying more than a hundred different academic disciplines, Saarland University is a diverse and dynamic learning environment.

The research group of Prof. Dr. Valentin Lang in the Faculty of Human and Business Sciences at Saarland University is inviting applications for the following position commencing at the earliest opportunity (date negotiable):

Postdoctoral Researcher (m/f/x) Reference number W2927, salary in accordance with the German TV-L salary scale1, pay grade: E13 TV-L, duration of employment: two years with the possibility of extension, volume of employment: 100 % of standard working time.

1 *TV-L = collective agreement on remuneration of public sector employees in the German Länder

Job requirements and responsibilities:

• Conduct and publish high-quality research in political economy and economic policy, broadly defined.
• Collaborate on projects that contribute to the group’s research agenda, as outlined at valentinlang.com.
• Teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses in English or German, with a teaching load of four teaching hours per week during the semester (“4 SWS”).
• Contribute to the group’s research support, organizational, and administrative activities.

Your academic qualifications:

• A PhD in economics, political science, computational social science, or a related discipline, completed or nearing completion.
• Research experience and a substantive interest in political economy, international political economy, development economics, economic policy, geoeconomics, or other areas relevant to the group’s research agenda.
• Proficiency in advanced quantitative research methods, preferably with expertise in causal inference. Experience in working with geocoded data, text data, survey data, or novel data sources is an asset.
• Strong data analysis and programming skills in R, Stata, or Python.
• The ability and ambition to produce high-quality academic publications, both independently and collaboratively.
• A very good command of English. Knowledge of German is helpful but not required.

What we offer:

• The opportunity to conduct cutting‑edge research and publish with the research group.
• The opportunity to develop your own research agenda and strengthen your academic profile.
• Funding for conferences, research activities, and further training.
• Access to state‑of‑the‑art research infrastructure.
• A motivated, engaged, and supportive team.
• Links to the newly established Societal Observatory Using Novel Data Sources (SOUNDS).
• A flexible work schedule allowing you to balance work and family, among other things the possibility of teleworking.
• Secure and future‑oriented employment with attractive conditions.
• A broad range of further education and professional development programmes (for example language courses).
• An occupational health management model with numerous attractive options, such as our university sports programme.
• Supplementary pension scheme (RZVK).
• Discounted tickets on local public transport services (“Job‑Ticket” of the saarVV).
• Job bike leasing (JobRad).

Application deadline: 15.11.2026.

If you have any questions, please contact us for assistance.

Your contact:

Herr Professor Dr. Valentin Lang

[e-mail]

Pay grade classification is based on the particular details of the position held and the extent to which the applicant meets the requirements of the pay grade within the TV‑L salary scale. Part‑time employment is generally possible.

If you have obtained a foreign university degree, a proof of the equivalence of this degree with a German degree by the Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (ZAB) is needed before hiring. If necessary, please apply for this in time. You can find more information at https://www.kmk.org/zeugnisbewertung.

Unfortunately, neither costs for attending an interview at Saarland University nor costs for any certificate evaluation by the ZAB can be reimbursed in principle.

We welcome applications regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, disability, age, and sexual orientation and identity. In accordance with its policy of increasing the proportion of women, the University actively encourages applications from women. Applications from severely disabled persons will be given preferential consideration in the event of equal suitability.

When you submit a job application to Saarland University you will be transmitting personal data. Please refer to our privacy notice for information on how we collect and process personal data in accordance with Art. 13 of the Datenschutz‑Grundverordnung. By submitting your application you confirm that you have taken note of the information in the Saarland University privacy notice.