Sustainability jobs in Germany

TUD Dresden University of Technology, as a University of Excellence, is one of the leading and most dynamic research institutions in the country. Founded in 1828, today it is a globally oriented, regionally anchored top university as it focuses on the grand challenges of the 21st century. It develops innovative solutions for the world's most pressing issues. In research and academic programs, the university unites the natural and engineering sciences with the humanities, social sciences and medicine. This wide range of disciplines is a special feature, facilitating interdisciplinarity and transfer of science to society. As a modern employer, it offers attractive working conditions to all employees in teaching, research, technology and administration. The goal is to promote and develop their individual abilities while empowering everyone to reach their full potential. TUD embodies a university culture that is characterized by cosmopolitanism, mutual appreciation, thriving innovation and active participation. For TUD diversity is an essential feature and a quality criterion of an excellent university. Accordingly, we welcome all applicants who would like to commit themselves, their achievements and productivity to the success of the whole institution.

At the Faculty of Business and Economics, Chair of Business Administration esp. Sustainability Management and Environmental Accounting offers in cooperation with the United Nations University Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and Resources (UNU‑FLORES), subject to availability of resources, a position as Research Associate (m/f/x) (subject to personal qualification employees are remunerated according to salary group 13 TV‑L) starting at the earliest possible date. The position is limited until June 30 2028. The period of employment is governed by the Fixed Term Research Contracts Act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz – WissZeitVG). The position offers the chance to obtain further academic qualification (usually PhD).

Participate in and co-design research projects in the field of sustainability assessment methods for disruptive innovations such as carbon concrete. The key question is: “How can life cycle sustainability assessment be further developed to enable the analysis of the value‑behavior gap and the behavior‑impact gap to meet tailored boundary conditions for construction materials?” At the operational level, instruments of different dimensions of Life Cycle Assessment, Life Cycle Costing, and Social Life Cycle Assessment will be explored and further developed, especially regarding the Interpretation phase. As part of this position, the successful candidate shall define the research topic within the given thematic area; perform experiments, interviews, surveys, field visits, data collection, and analysis as required; write and publish papers in peer‑reviewed journals; organise activities such as workshops that are related to the research project.

• Excellent university degree in business and economics (Diploma, Master) or engineering, environmental sciences, psychology, sociology or computer science.
• In-depth knowledge of sustainability assessment methods (e.g. Life Cycle Assessment, Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment) and software tools (such as openLCA, GaBi, SimaPro), as well as statistical and qualitative research methods.
• Experience in working with standard business management software (Microsoft Office).
• Independent and flexible working methods; willingness for interdisciplinary teamwork, analytical approach.
• Excellent English speaking and writing skills (min IELTS level 7.0 or equivalent, proof of creating previous scientific work in English); excellent writing style, good rhetoric, and didactic skills.
• Demonstrable social competences.

TUD strives to employ more women in academia and research. We therefore expressly encourage women to apply. The University is a certified family‑friendly university. We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities. If multiple candidates prove to be equally qualified, those with disabilities or with equivalent status pursuant to the German Social Code IX (SGB IX) will receive priority for employment.

Please submit your detailed application with the usual documents by January 5 2026 (stamped arrival date of the university central mail service or the time stamp on the email server of TUD applies), preferably via the TUD SecureMail Portal https://securemail.tu-dresden.de by sending it as a single pdf file to bu@mailbox.tu-dresden.de or to:

TU Dresden, Chair of Business Administration esp. Sustainability Management and Environmental Accounting, Prof. Edeltraud Günther, Helmholtzstr. 10, 01069 Dresden, Germany.

Please submit copies only, as your application will not be returned to you. Expenses incurred in attending interviews cannot be reimbursed.

TUD is a founding partner in the DRESDEN-concept alliance.

Your data protection rights, the purpose for which your data will be processed, as well as further information about data protection is available to you on the website: https://tu-dresden.de/karriere/datenschutzhinweis.