Research Associate (f/m/d, Postdoc, 75 %) in the Comparative Politics Research Group

The Comparative Politics research group at the SOCIUM Research Center on Inequality and Social Policy (Prof. Dr. Lukas Haffert) is seeking, as soon as possible a Research Associate (Postdoc) (f/m/d), EG 13 TV-L, 75% (29,4 hours/week.) for a period of up to 5 years.

The position is fixed-term for the purpose of academic qualification in accordance with § 2 (1) of the German Academic Fixed-Term Contract Act (WissZeitVG). Accordingly, only applicants who still have available qualification periods under § 2 (1) WissZeitVG can be considered. 

The position is suitable for part-time work. Details need to be arranged with SOCIUM.

Job description

The position is part of the research group comparative politics. The research group is working on various topics in the fields of comparative political economy or historical political economy.

Responsibilities:

• Academic teaching duties amounting to 3 contact hours per week (SWS), including the delivery of subject-specific knowledge and practical skills as well as instruction in the application of scientific methods in Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs, in accordance with the currently applicable teaching load regulations (LVNV).
• Development of an innovative research program in the fields of comparative political economy or historical political economy.
• Participation in research projects of the research group.
• Other university duties, such as participation in academic self-governance.

Requirements

• Very good university degree (Diploma/Master’s) and PhD in political science or a comparable social science.
• Very good command of empirical methods.
• Demonstrated research experience in the fields of comparative political economy or historical political economy.
• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken (CEF-level C1) and excellent command of German.
• High motivation, ability to work in a team, creativity, and the ability to work independently.

Desirable skills and experience:

• International publications in peer-reviewed journal
• Interest in questions of political geography

General Information

We offer:

• A challenging and diverse position in an innovative research environment
• Close collaboration with international research partners
• Support for further academic qualification
• Participation in workshops, conferences, and continuing education programs
• Annual special payment (“Christmas bonus”), regular collectively agreed salary increases, and supplementary public-sector pension scheme (VBL).
• A secure, interesting, and varied position at an internationally oriented and open-minded university.
• 30 days of annual leave per calendar year.
• A diverse, future-oriented, and open organisational culture.
• Support from a collegial and motivated team with a positive working atmosphere.
• Individualised on-boarding.
• Opportunities for professional development and further training.
• Work–life balance through flexible working hours (flexitime) and the option of mobile office, subject to applicable framework conditions.
• Free services in the area of social and family counselling.
• An active workplace health management programme, including the possibility of discounted memberships with local sports clubs or access to fitness studios and swimming pools (EGYM WELLPASS).
• A job ticket for public transport.
• A wide range of sports and cultural activities.
• Varied dining options in the on-campus cafeterias.

Open to unconventional approaches in research and teaching, the University of Bremen has retained its character as a place of short distances for people and ideas since its founding in 1971. With a broad spectrum of subjects, we combine exceptional performance and innovative potential. As an ambitious research university, we stand for research-based learning approaches and a pronounced interdisciplinary orientation. We actively pursue scientific cooperation in a spirit of global partnership. 

Today, around 23,000 people learn, teach, research, and work on our international campus. In research and teaching, administration and operations, we are strongly committed to the goals of sustainability, climate justice, and climate neutrality. Our Bremen spirit is expressed in the courage to try new things, in supportive cooperation, in respect and appreciation for each other. With our study and research profile and as part of the European YUFE network, we assume social responsibility in the region, in Europe, and in the world.

The university is family-friendly, diverse and sees itself as an international university. We therefore welcome all applicants regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity.

The University of Bremen promotes the employment of women at all levels. Women are therefore expressly encouraged to apply.

Disabled applicants will be given priority if their professional and personal qualifications are essentially the same.

Contact:

For general questions about the personnel selection procedure and for questions about the content of the advertised position, please contact: 

Prof. Dr. Lukas Haffert, E-Mail: haffertuni-bremen.de

Please send your application with your complete documents (cover letter, curriculum vitae, qualification certificates, references) to the following address, quoting the reference number A060-26 until 04.05.2026 as a single PDF file by unencrypted electronic mail to:

socium-bewerbungenuni-bremen.de

or by mail to:

Universität Bremen,
SOCIUM – Forschungszentrum Ungleichheit und Sozialpolitik
Prof. Lukas Haffert
Postfach 33 04 40
28334 Bremen

Application instructions:

For higher education obtained outside the EU, please submit a German or English translation along with an evaluation from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB). Alternatively, please send us an extract from the database for the recognition and evaluation of foreign educational qualifications (anabin).

Please note that no photos are to be attached to the application documents.

We kindly ask you to send us only copies (no portfolios) of your application documents, as we cannot return them. They will be destroyed after the selection process has been completed. 

Any application costs cannot be reimbursed.

The interviews will take place two weeks after the application deadline.

Call for Applications (Link)