Research Associate (Wissenschaftliche*r Mitarbeiter*in, salary level E 13 TV-L)

Universität Münster; Münster; On-site; EUR 29,000 - 39,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Family Service Office

Training & Education

Sport & Health programs

Public servant pension (VBL)

End-of-year bonus

Job summary

The University of Münster's Institute of Political Science invites applications for a Research Associate (Wissenschaftliche*r Mitarbeiter*in) at salary level E 13 TV-L, commencing 1 April 2027. This is a fixed-term, 65% part-time position for three years.

The role focuses on a project on the sustainability governance of global commodity chains, especially the coffee sector, with responsibilities in research, teaching, publication and policy-oriented dissemination.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in political science or related field.
• Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Expertise in sustainability governance, especially coffee sector.
• Experience conducting surveys/interviews in Global South with smallholders.
• Excellent written and spoken English; proficiency in Spanish and/or Portuguese.

Responsibilities

• Develop and complete a project on sustainability governance of global commodity chains.
• Publish research articles in leading international journals.
• Presentation of research findings at academic workshops and conferences.
• Active contribution to teaching within the Institute of Political Science.
• Disseminate research to support policy design.

Skills

Qualitative Methods

Quantitative Methods

Sustainability Governance

Global South Interviews

English Proficiency

Spanish/Portuguese

Education

Master’s degree in political science

Job description

Creating knowledge. Making a difference. Shaping the future. This is what the University of Münster stands for as one of the strongest research-oriented universities in Germany and one of the largest employers in the region. Every day, over 7,000 employees devote themselves to cutting-edge research and excellent teaching. We share more than a workplace. We share the desire to make a real impact – regionally and internationally. Our day‑to‑day work is distinguished by diversity, openness and space to pursue one’s ideas. Become a part of our team – in academia, a technical or manual trade, or administration.

The Institute of Political Science at the University of Münster, Germany, is seeking to fill the position of a

Research Associate (Wissenschaftliche*r Mitarbeiter*in, salary level E 13 TV-L)

within the Professorship of International Relations and Law with a Focus on Global Sustainability (Prof. Dr. Thomas Dietz).

Commencing on 1 April 2027, we are offering a fixed‑term part‑time position (65%) for three years, with the possibility of extension. Full‑time employees are required to teach 4 hours per week during the semester.

Your tasks:

• Development, implementation and completion of a project on the sustainability governance of global commodity chains, with a particular focus on the coffee sector
• Publication of research articles in leading peer‑reviewed international journals
• Presentation of research findings at academic workshops and conferences
• Active participation in the development and dissemination of research with the aim of contributing to policy design
• Contribution to teaching within the Institute of Political Science

Our expectations:

Essential

• A Master’s degree or equivalent in political science or a related discipline, such as economics or sociology.
• Demonstrable knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods, particularly (quasi‑)experimental methods, and international standards of good scientific practice
• Demonstrable expertise in the field of sustainability governance, with a particular focus on the coffee sector.
• Experience in conducting surveys and interviews in countries of the Global South, particularly with smallholder producers
• Excellent written and spoken English, as well as proficiency in Spanish and/or Portuguese

Desirable

• Excellent organisational and time‑management skills
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team, both in person and virtually
• Experience in conducting research in South America
• Demonstrable experience with relevant software for quantitative and/or qualitative data analysis

Advantages for you:

• A dynamic, international, interdisciplinary and multilingual research environment in the field of sustainability governance
• Excellent networks of national and international research partners, opportunities to develop your own academic networks, and support for your individual career development
• Appreciation, commitment, openness and respect – values which are important to us.
• Our broad range of diverse work‑time models offers great flexibility – also when working from home.
• If you have family members or young children in your care, our Family Service Office offers concrete support to help you balance your private and professional responsibilities.
• As an educational institution, we are deeply committed to offering occupational training and continuing education opportunities tailored to your individual needs.
• From A – Z, Aikido to Zumba, our sport and health programmes ensure a healthy work‑life balance.
• As a university employee, you are entitled to numerous benefits afforded to public servants, e.g. an attractive company pension scheme (VBL), an annual end‑of‑year bonus and a position that is shielded from economic fluctuations.

The University of Münster strongly supports equal opportunity and diversity. We welcome all applicants regardless of sex, nationality, ethnic or social background, religion or worldview, disability, age, sexual orientation or gender identity. We are committed to creating family‑friendly working conditions.

We actively encourage applications by women. Women with equivalent qualifications and academic achievements will be preferentially considered unless these are outweighed by reasons which necessitate the selection of another candidate.