As a humanistic, sustainable and action-oriented university, Leuphana University of Lüneburg stands for innovation in education and science. Methodological diversity, interdisciplinary cooperation, transdisciplinary cooperation with practice-based partners and an overall dynamic development characterize its research profile in the fields of culture, education, management & technology, public affairs and sustainability. With the university-wide research development program “Embracing Transformation through research, education and knowledge transfer” (in short “Embracing Transformation”), Leuphana aims to establish itself as a leading university for the analysis and critical reflection of transformation processes. More than one hundred researchers at various career levels will collaborate in an interdisciplinary environment to generate transformation knowledge that empowers individuals and communities to manage societal challenges and develop solutions for the common good.
Visit our website to learn more about the five Key Subject Areas that are involved in the project: “Climate Futures in Digital Cultures”, “Companies as Drivers of Sustainability Transformations”, “Democratic Resilience”, “Organizing in Times of Crisis”, and “Toward a Regenerative Society”, complemented by a “Psychology of Transformation” acting as a Hub Science. To create synergies between these various fields and explore new perspectives, the “Leuphana Transformation Lab“ will be established as a shared intellectual and physical space to promote collaboration among the researchers involved.
The university is looking for a responsible, motivated and committed person for the Key Subject Area “Toward a Regenerative Society” to fill the position of a
Postdoctoral Research Associate with a background in Sustainability Science, Social-Ecological Systems Science or a related field
(salary group EG 13 TV-L, as a full-time employee for a limited period until 31st August 2030 to start on 1st October 2025, or depending on your availability)
We invite you to become part of an exciting community of highly motivated scholars and offer you the opportunity to advance your academic career as a postdoctoral researcher. You will be able to refine your own profile and build an international network by working with numerous professors, other postdocs, doctoral students and international fellows in a stimulating interdisciplinary setting. You will significantly further your field of study and its integration into the research agenda of “Embracing Transformation”, thus positioning yourself as an expert in the highly dynamic and future-oriented field of transformation research as well as management and organization studies. To fully benefit from the purpose and value of collaborative and interdisciplinary research facilitated by a shared physical space, an adequate presence on campus is expected.
With the key subject area “Toward a Regenerative Society”, Leuphana seeks to take a leading position in the nascent field of regenerative sustainability. Research within this key subject area will be both empirical and conceptual, addressing (among others) regenerative material and resource flows, regenerative ecosystem management, regenerative education, regenerative entrepreneurship, and regenerative governance. The postdoc position advertised here will play a central role in integrating empirical and conceptual insights on regeneration across these diverse fields. Beyond this integration, the holder of the postdoc position is also expected to carry out their own original research. An additional key demand will be to significantly contribute to and help coordinate the development of major follow-up funding proposals within the field of regenerative sustainability. The postdoc will be part of the Social-Ecological Systems Institute within Leuphana’s School of Sustainability, and will work under the supervision of Prof. Joern Fischer.
Your tasks:
* Perform research in the field of regenerative sustainability from an integrative social-ecological systems perspective
* Contribute to the common objective of “Embracing Transformation” by analyzing transformation processes and generating transformation knowledge
* Contribute to the development of the Key Subject Area “Toward a Regenerative Society” and to drafting major follow-up funding applications
* Advance your own academic career by preparing for a junior professorship or seeking funding for a junior research group, for example
* Participate in and co-organize regular meetings and workshops
* Co-supervise doctoral students
* Contribute to teaching on regenerative sustainability (2 German SWS = 1.5 regular teaching hours per week during the term)
Your qualifications:
* Doctorate in Sustainability Science, Social-Ecological Systems Science or a related field
* Strong publication record relative to opportunity
* Ideally, experience in interdisciplinary contexts
* Excellent written and oral communication skills in English (having an at least basic command of German is an advantage)
* Strong personal initiative, excellent organizational skills, and ability to work in interdisciplinary and multicultural teams
Our offer:
* An inspiring cutting-edge collaborative research environment with multiple established and early-career scholars and scientists working together in an attractive modern university building designed by Daniel Libeskind
* Green and inviting campus at the edge of the picturesque Hanseatic town of Lüneburg, close to the Northern German metropolis Hamburg
* Flexible and family-friendly working hours within a time frame between 6 am and 9 pm, including opportunities for remote working
* A wide range of additional (subsidized) benefits such as continuing education, sporting activities, catering service for lunch and dinner, and a public transport ticket valid in the whole of Germany
* An additional company pension scheme through the Versorgungsanstalt des Bundes und der Länder (VBL)
Your application:
For further information please contact Prof. Joern Fischer ( joern.fischer@leuphana.de ).
Leuphana University of Lüneburg promotes professional gender equality and heterogeneity among its members. Applications from people with severe disabilities will be given preferential consideration if they have the same qualifications. Please also note our data protection information for applicants. Please be available on the 17th and 18th of July 2025 for job interviews on campus.
We look forward to receiving your application, including a research proposal and an outline of your research interests of up to four pages. In addition, please include a CV (without photo) and a motivation letter in which you briefly describe (1) your qualifications, (2) how your envisaged research project may contribute to the interdisciplinary concept and overall goals of “Embracing Transformation”, and (3) how working in this setting will be beneficial for your own academic career. Please send it by the 29th of June 2025 digitally (summarized in a PDF file) or by post to:
Leuphana Universität Lüneburg
Human Resources and Legal Affairs / Application Management
Subject: Regeneration Society PostDoc
Universitätsallee 1
21335 Lüneburg
jobs@leuphana.de