Job advertisement
Vacancy ID: 189/2025
Closing date: 2025-09-14
The Friedrich Schiller University Jena is a dynamic and innovation-driven university centrally located in Germany. With a broad range of disciplines, it shapes the future through excellent research and teaching. Its scientific excellence is reflected in the profile areas Light – Life – Libert y, which provide pioneering insights and sustainable solutions for the society of tomorrow. Through close collaborations with leading research institutions, innovative companies, and renowned cultural organizations, it advances interdisciplinary developments. With around 17,000 students and approximately 10,000 employees, it defines Jena as a vibrant, internationally connected city of science and innovation.
The Cluster of Excellence “Imaginamics: Practices and Dynamics of Social Imagining” is offering a full-time (100%, 40 hours per week) position as an
Academic Coordinator of the Research School
to commence on 01.01.2026 for a fixed term expiring on 31.12.2032.
The Cluster of Excellence “Imaginamics” is an interdisciplinary research project of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena that conducts research on the practices and dynamics of social imagining. Funded by the German Excellence Strategy, it brings together scholars from multiple departments. The Cluster’s work distinguishes itself from extant research on social imaginaries by focusing on processes, practices, and dynamics of social imagining.
“Imaginamics” is organized into three Research Areas. Each seeks to advance a specific field of inquiry through the analysis of case studies, while three Hubs explore intersections between the three Areas (for more information, see
The Research School is responsible for all matters pertaining to early career researchers, which includes students beginning their doctoral studies, doctoral researchers, and postdocs. The Research School is managed by a Steering Committee consisting of three Principal Investigators, a representative for doctoral researchers, and a representative for postdocs.
Your responsibilities:
* Develop and organize the course of study as well as academic events (colloquia, workshops and conferences) in coordination with the Steering Committee of the Research School and the Cluster’s research areas.
* Develop and implement programs to support early career researchers.
* Develop and organize calls for applications (e.g. scholarships and job advertisements) across the cluster and participate in selecting candidates.
* Coordinate the work of the Steering Committee of the Research School and facilitate its meetings.
* Conduct quality management of the cluster’s support programs for early career researchers (conduct regular evaluations; prepare reports on their results; compile data).
Your profile:
* Doctoral degree in the social sciences, cultural studies or humanities with an excellent grade, ideally on a topic directly related to the research of “Imaginamics.”
* Experience in science management or coordinating interdisciplinary research projects, and an interest in working with others on interdisciplinary scholarship.
* You are a team player, friendly, motivated, determined, and well organized.
* Experience with early career researchers, familiarity with their needs, and concrete ideas for how they can be best supported.
* Fluent in German and English.
* Unsure about whether to apply? We encourage you to apply anyways and give us the chance to get to know one another!
We offer:
* Remuneration based on the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector of the Federal States (TV-L) at a salary scale E13 - depending on the candidate’s personal qualifications - including a special annual payment.
* A stimulating work environment with numerous opportunities for personal initiative.
* Support for professional development and further training in science management.
* A family - friendly working environment with a variety of offers for families, including the University Family Office (JUniFamilie) and flexible childcare (JUniKinder).
The University of Jena has received multiple awards for its diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts and its family-friendly work environment. The university seeks to employ more women, first-generation college graduates, people with a history of migration, and people of eastern German background. Severely disabled persons with equivalent qualifications will be given preferential consideration.
Please submit a cover letter, CV, certificates, diplomas, and other documentation as well as up to two references for letters of recommendation.
Interviews will take place in person in Jena in October 2025, probably in calendar week 42 or 43. Unfortunately, the university cannot reimburse expenses incurred for travel to the interview.
If you have questions at any time during the application process, please write us an e-mail with the identifier number (189/2025) in the subject line: martin.jung@uni-jena.de .
Interested? Apply by 14.09.2025 using our online form.
For further information for applicants and the information on the collection of personal data, please refer to Data privacy and information for applicants