Research associate (m/f/d/x)

IT-Systemhaus der Bundesagentur für Arbeit; Leipzig; Vor Ort; EUR 40.000 - 60.000; Teilzeit

Zusammenfassung

A leading German university in Leipzig is seeking candidates for a doctoral position in Public Management, focusing on governance and digital transformation. Applicants should hold a Master's degree in a relevant field and have proficiency in either English or German. This role involves empirical research, student supervision, and the development of innovative concepts in public management. The university offers a supportive, interdisciplinary environment and flexible working arrangements.

Leistungen

Flexible working hours

Support for international research stays

Structured staff development programme

Discounted public transport ticket

Qualifikationen

• Master's degree related to Public Management or Public Policy.
• Clear motivation to pursue a doctorate during the contract term.
• Experience in data collection and analysis.

Aufgaben

• Develop concepts addressing public management research questions.
• Conduct empirical research at government levels.
• Advise and supervise students in public management.

Kenntnisse

Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Professional working proficiency in English or German

Experience with statistical software

Ausbildung

Master’s degree in Political Science, Economics, Sociology

Tools

R

Stata

MaxQDA

Jobbeschreibung

Founded in 1409, Leipzig University is one of Germany’s largest universities and a leader in research and medical training. With around 30,000 students and more than 5000 members of staff across 14 faculties, it is at the heart of the vibrant and outward-looking city of Leipzig. Leipzig University offers an innovative and international working environment as well as an exciting range of career opportunities in research, teaching, knowledge and technology transfer, infrastructure and administration.

TheFaculty of Economics and Management Science, Institute of Public Finance and Public Management, Junior Professorship for Public Management, seeks to fill the abovequalificationposition with the goal of pursuing a PhD.

About the position

• Salary group 13 TV-L
• Fixed term until October 17, 2029 with compatible qualification planning
• 50% of a full-time position, part-time position possible
• at the earliest opportunity

The role

• Development of concepts and models addressing current research questions in public management, in particular regarding the governance of public enterprises, innovation in public sector organisations, and the digital transformation of government
• Empirical research, including data collection, preparation, and analysis at national and local government level
• Conducting interviews and qualitative analyses with key stakeholders in public administration, politics and public enterprises
• Contribution to externally funded research projects and draft project proposals
• Advising and supervision of students in the field of public management
• Teaching duties up to a maximum 2 contact hours per week (2 SWS)
• Academic reports, expert opinions and publications
• Systematic literature reviews and analytical syntheses in English and/or German
• Presentation of research results at national and international conferences
• Pursuit of own academic qualification.

About you

• Master’s degree in Political Science, Economics, Sociology or a related field, preferably with a focus on Public Management, Public Administration or Public Policy
• Clear academic focus and motivation to complete a doctorate in line with the research profile of the Professorship of Public Management during the contract term
• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Professional working proficiency (C1–C2) in English or German, both written and spoken
• Experience with statistical software (e.g. R, Stata) and/or text analysis tools (e.g. MaxQDA) is desirable.

What we offer you

• a responsible role in the exciting environment of a large university in an engaged, interdisciplinary, and internationally connected research team
• Support for international research stays and opportunities for academic collaboration
• The option to complete a binational doctorate in cooperation with a partner university
• working in a friendly, helpful, and high-performing team
• flexible working hours and mobile working for a better work-life balance
• Opportunities for further training and professional development as part of a structured staff development programme
• diverse range of corporate health management
• Remuneration in accordance with the collective agreement for the states, including annual bonus and company pension plan
• excellent transport links and the option to purchase a discounted public transport ticket, such as the Deutschlandticket as a commuter pass
• extensive catering in the cafeterias and cafés of the Leipzig Student Services Association

Leipzig University aims to increase the proportion of women in positions of responsibility and therefore expressly invites qualified women to apply. Severely disabled persons – or persons deemed legally equal to them under Book IX of the German Social Code – are encouraged to apply and will be given preference in the case of equal suitability. If you have any questions about accessibility or need assistance with this application process, please contact Leipzig University’s disability officers at:[e-mail] .

Have we sparked your interest?

Please send your application with the usual documents, quotingreference number 192/2025, to: Leipzig University, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Management Science, Professor Rainer Alt, Grimmaische Straße 12, 04109 Leipzig by 16 January 2026. You are also welcome to email your application as a single PDF file [e-mail] .

Your application should include a one-page research proposal outlining your intended doctoral topic or research idea.

Please note that it is not possible to guarantee confidentiality and rule out unauthorised access by third parties when communicating by unencrypted email. We kindly request that you submit copies only, as we are unable to return application documents. Interview expenses will not be reimbursed.

Privacy information

If you choose to apply and send us your documents, you do so voluntarily. Any personal data contained within your application documents, or obtained during an interview, will be processed by Leipzig University – as the advertiser of the position – exclusively for the purposes of the selection process for the position advertised. It will not be passed on to third parties without your consent in the individual case. The legal basis for such data processing is Sect.11(1) of the Saxon Data Protection Implementation Act (SächsDSDG) in conjunction with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The controller for the application process within the meaning of the GDPR is the addressee of the application, specified in the advertisement.

Your personal data will be stored for six months after the end of the recruitment process and then erased or destroyed in accordance with data protection regulations. You may refuse or withdraw your consent with effect for the future without giving reasons. In these cases, Leipzig University will not or no longer be able to process and consider your application. Under the GDPR, subject to the relevant statutory requirements you have the following rights vis-à-vis the addressee of the application with regard to your personal data: right of access (Art.15 GDPR); right to rectification of inaccurate personal data (Art.16GDPR); right to erasure (Art.17 GDPR); right to restriction of processing (Art.18GDPR); and right to object to processing (Art.21 GDPR). If you have any questions, please contact the Data Protection Officer at Leipzig University (office: Augustusplatz 10, 04109 Leipzig). You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Saxon Commissioner for Data Protection.