The University of Potsdam was founded in 1991 and has firmly established itself within the scientific landscape and developed into an outstanding economic factor and growth engine for the region. The university excels in acquiring third-party funds, has received multiple teaching awards, has a very service-oriented administration, and has been honored several times for its family-friendly culture. About 20,000 students and 3,000 employees study and work at three campuses – Am Neuen Palais, Griebnitzsee and Golm – at one of Germany’s most scenic institutions of higher education.

The University of Potsdam, Faculty of Human Sciences/Department of Education and Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, Chair of Social Science Research on Education and the Life Course, invites applications for the following position, limited to 3 years, renewable, to be filled as soon as possible (ideally by November 1, 2026) subject to funding approval: Academic Staff Member (f/m/d)

The successful candidate will work 40 hours per week (100 %). The position is classified within remuneration group 13 of the collective wage agreement among the German federal states (“Tarifvertrag für den öffentlichen Dienst der Länder” – TV-L). The fixed term of employment is in accordance with Section 2 subsection 1 of the German Act on Fixed-Term Employment Contracts in Science and Academia (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz or WissZeitVG) and with Section § 14 Abs. 3 Part-Time and Fixed-Term Employment Act (TzBfG). An extension of up to three years is possible if personal and legal requirements are met.

Your Field of Work
The Chair of Social Science Research on Education and the Life Course is affiliated with the Department of Education within the Faculty of Human Sciences as well as with the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Potsdam. Its research focuses, among other topics, on educational inequalities, education systems, the life course, and social change.
Teaching is primarily conducted in educational science and sociology.

The Scope of Your Responsibilities

• Research
• Conducting and supporting research projects in collaboration with internal and external partners
  • Lead and contribute to peer-reviewed scientific publications
  • Disseminating findings at conferences
  • Supporting grant applications
• Teaching
  • Preparing and teaching courses
  • (Co-)supervising qualification theses
• Science management and administration
  • Assisting with leadership and administrative tasks within the chair
  • Supervising student staff

Further academic qualification (post-doctoral thesis (Habilitation)) is possible. At least one-third of working hours is available for in-depth academic work.

The teaching load is based on the requirements of the Teaching Obligations Ordinance (LehrVV) of the State of Brandenburg, as amended, and the Regulation for Calculating Teaching Load that was passed by the Senate of the University of Potsdam. This position is assigned to the group of academic employees with the opportunity to gain further qualification.

Your Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree (PhD) in sociology, education, psychology, political science or a related social science discipline
• Candidates who are nearing completion of their PhD may also apply
• In-depth knowledge of quantitative research methods and statistical analysis techniques
• Proficiency in statistical software (e.g. R, Stata)
• Excellent teamwork and communication skills

We are ideally also looking for the following

• Knowledge of social science research on education and the life course
• Experience with secondary data analysis
• Willingness to acquire new skills and knowledge in relevant fields
• Knowledge of German and English is a plus

What We Offer
As a university, we combine the strong potential for development of a teaching and research institution with the attractive working conditions of the public sector. The University of Potsdam is a reliable employer that supports its employees with a variety of offers and benefits:

• Make the most of the various continuing education and networking opportunities offered by the University of Potsdam to refine your subject-specific and interdisciplinary competencies for professional as well as personal growth.
• All campuses have good transport connections. You can receive a monthly subsidy for the public transport job ticket and use our campus bicycles.
• Benefit from a company pension scheme, a special annual payment, and capital-forming benefits.
• Take advantage of the various offers from our Occupational Health Management unit as well as the Academic Sports Center.
• To improve employees’ work-life balance, the University of Potsdam offers family-friendly flexible working hours and a defined share of remote working hours (e.g. work from home).
• You have 30 vacation days per year (with a 5-day week) and are also exempt from work on December 24 and 31.

You can find more information about working at the University of Potsdam at https://www.uni-potsdam.de/en/arbeiten-an-der-up/employer-up/overview

For further information about this position, please contact Prof. Dr. Kaspar Burger by e-mail:
kaspar.burger@uni-potsdam.de

Your Application
Applications should include a motivation letter, a brief outline of how the applicant intends to contribute to the research areas of the professorship (1-2 pages), a curriculum vitae, copies of certificates and diplomas, a writing sample (e.g., scientific article), the names and contact details of two referees, and (ideally) a letter of recommendation. Please merge all documents into one PDF file and send us your application including the ID no. 337/2026 by August 15, 2026, by email to ina.tausche@uni-potsdam.de.

If you completed higher education qualifications outside the EU, please submit a German translation and the assessment of the Central Office for Foreign Education (Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen – ZAB). Alternatively, please send us a PDF file from the database for the recognition and assessment of foreign higher education certificates (ANABIN).

The University of Potsdam values the diversity of its community and pursues the goals of equal opportunity regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, disability, age, and sexual orientation and identity. Applications from abroad and from persons with a migration background are expressly encouraged. The university strives for a balanced gender ratio in all employment groups; in areas where women are underrepresented, women are given preference in case of equal suitability (Section 7 paragraph 4 of the Brandenburg Higher Education Act). People with disabilities are given preferential consideration in case of equal suitability. In aptitude tests and selection interviews, individual compensation measures for disadvantages are granted, taking the specific disability into consideration. If a person with a disability would like to make use of individual compensation measures, please state this in the application letter.

Potsdam, July 1, 2026