Up to five Postdoc Positions (m/f/d) for Cluster of Excellence "Transforming Human Rights"

Department Artificial Intelligence in Biomedical Engineering - AIBE@FAU; Erlangen; Vor Ort; EUR 50.000 - 60.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A prestigious university in Germany is seeking candidates for up to five Postdoc positions in the Cluster of Excellence 'Transforming Human Rights.' The role involves conducting research on human rights transformations and requires a PhD with a strong focus in interdisciplinary studies. Candidates will benefit from mentoring and have opportunities for professional development. The position offers competitive pay and a supportive work environment.

Leistungen

30 days annual leave

Occupational pension scheme

Regular promotions and salaries based on TV-L

Qualifikationen

• PhD thesis must be submitted by the contract start date.
• Degree in law, political science, philosophy, or related field required.
• Additional languages are an asset.

Aufgaben

• Conduct independent and collaborative research on human rights.
• Work on transformation of human rights norms and practices.

Kenntnisse

Fluency in English

Interdisciplinary research experience

Initial experience in publishing academic work

Ausbildung

Completed PhD/doctorate

University degree with excellent results

Jobbeschreibung

Your Workplace

The Cluster of Excellence “Transforming Human Rights”, based at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen‑Nürnberg (FAU), addresses fundamental questions about the potential and limits of human rights in the context of several major worldwide transformation processes. The Cluster’s Postdoc program is unique both in content and scope providing an exceptional environment to unite outstanding talents and to prepare them for human rights careers in academia and praxis. For more information, see: https://www.humanrights.fau.de/research/exc-transforming-hr/.

The Postdoc will conduct independent and collaborative, conceptually and empirically ambitious research on human rights that aligns with the Cluster’s overall research agenda. The Cluster examines the transformation of human rights norms, institutions, and practices in the context of five megatrends: autocratization, planetary environmental crises, migration, fragmented economic globalization, and digitalization.

Benefits

• Regular promotion to the next level and increase in salary pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement for the public service of the German Länder (TV‑L) or remuneration pursuant to the Bavarian Public Servants Remuneration Act (BayBesG) plus an additional annual bonus
• 30 days annual leave at five working days per week with additional free days on December 24 and 31
• Occupational pension scheme and asset accumulation savings scheme

Your Tasks

Successful candidates are expected to conduct independent and collaborative research on the transformation of human rights, norms, institutions, and/or practices, preferably related to at least one of the five megatrends. Research that bridges two of these megatrends is particularly welcome. Each Postdoc project is going to be accompanied by an individual Postdoc Advisory Committee that offers both academic mentoring and an opt‑in/opt‑out structure for tailor‑made skills development. The Postdocs will receive their own research budget and will have opportunities to visit the Cluster’s international partner institutions or human rights organizations for extended stays. The Cluster will actively support the Postdocs’ further academic development and career progression within its early career support schemes both within the Cluster and the broader environment at FAU.

Your Profile

• Completed PhD/doctorate (thesis must be submitted by the starting date of the contract), with a strong focus on human rights research (interdisciplinary research experience is an asset)
• University degree (or equivalent) with excellent results (in disciplines, e.g. law, political science, philosophy, anthropology, human geography, management studies, history or computer sciences)
• Initial experience in publishing academic work
• Fluency in English; additional languages are an asset

Additional Information

We seek to realise equal opportunities, and encourage applications from interested individuals regardless of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, ethnicity, religion, or belief. The Cluster has appointed an Equity and Diversity Steward and an Equity and Diversity Coordinator who will participate in the selection process.

Application Process

• Apply online
• Automatic confirmation of receipt sent by e‑mail
• Place of employment views applications
• Invitation to first interview
• Optional invitation to second interview in person at FAU
• Is there a match?
• Employment documents prepared
• Consultation with Staff Council
• Commencement of employment – welcome to FAU

Notice

For all job postings, the following applies: Friedrich‑Alexander‑Universität promotes equal professional opportunities for women. Women are therefore expressly encouraged to apply. Severely disabled persons as defined by the German Severely Disabled Persons Act will be given preferential consideration if they have the same professional qualifications and personal aptitude and if the advertised position is suitable for severely disabled persons. Details can be found in the respective job posting under “Remarks.” At the applicant’s request, the Equal Opportunities Officer may be included in the job interview without any disadvantage to the applicant. All advertised positions are generally suitable for part‑time work unless stated otherwise in the job posting.

Application Deadline

Application deadline: 05.01.2026. Interviews will take place in early February 2026. Please submit your application documents as a single PDF (cover letter, CV, list of publications, copies of certificates) plus a project proposal (five pages) via the FAU online application platform (please refrain from sending applications by post or email).

Position Information

Title: Up to five Postdoc Positions (m/f/d) for Cluster of Excellence “Transforming Human Rights”. Job start date: 01.04.2026. Location: Philosophische Fakultät und Fachbereich Theologie, Andreij‑Sacharow‑Platz 1, 90403 Nürnberg. Payment: TV‑L E 13. Working time: Full time, 40 hours per week. Contact: Dr. Robert Fischer ([e-mail], [phone]).