Postdoctoral Researcher in Sociology / Health Inequalities in Bamberg

Organisation/Company Universität Bamberg Department Department of Sociology Research Field Sociology Medical sciences » Health sciences Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 31 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Berlin) Country Germany Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 39 Offer Starting Date 1 Jan 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - ERC Reference Number 101300826 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The Junior Professorship of Sociology, esp. Work & Health, at the University of Bamberg invites applications for a five-year Postdoctoral Researcher position (100%, E13 TV-L, 5 years) within the ERC Starting Grant project FIELDS – Fields of Education as New Drivers of Health Inequalities, starting on 1 January 2027.

The project FIELDS is funded by the European Research Council (ERC Starting Grant) and investigates the relationship between fields of education, such as study majors and vocational training programmes, and physical and mental health over the life course. Moving beyond the well-established educational gradient in health, the project examines how educational fields contribute to health inequalities within educational levels. FIELDS uses longitudinal data from six major household panel studies from Germany (SOEP), the United States (PSID), the Netherlands (LISS), Switzerland (SHP), South Korea (KLIPS), and Australia (HILDA), covering more than 2.3 million observations. A core component of the work responsibilities is the harmonisation of these data and their analysis using advanced longitudinal methods. The postdoc will also co-supervise two doctoral researchers studying mechanisms linking educational fields to health through labour market outcomes, health behaviours, and social capital.

Your responsibilities

The postdoctoral researcher will take a leading role in the scientific implementation and management of the project. Responsibilities include:

• Preparing and harmonising data across the six panel surveys, including measures of education, physical and mental health, background characteristics, and relevant mediating factors.
• Planning and conducting longitudinal and cross-country analyses using advanced quantitative methods (e.g. random- and fixed-effects regression, matching approaches, time-to-event analyses).
• Co-supervising two doctoral researchers and two student assistants .
• Preparing and publishing research manuscripts in leading international peer-reviewed journals.
• Presenting project findings at international conferences.
• Supporting the PI in the scientific coordination and management of the project

The position offers an excellent opportunity to further develop an independent academic profile, including opportunities for international collaboration, research visits, and methodological training. Bamberg is one of Germany’s leading locations for sociology, with a broad research profile spanning education, labour markets, the life course, and social inequality. The University offers a particularly strong research environment through its links with the Leibniz Institute for Educational Trajectories (LIfBi), home of the National Educational Panel Study (NEPS), the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), and the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA).

The position is based in Bamberg and requires regular on-site presence. Where compatible with project responsibilities, part of the work may be carried out remotely. Continued employment beyond the ERC project may be possible, subject to funding availability.

General information

The University of Bamberg is committed to increasing the proportion of women in research and teaching and therefore strongly encourages applications from suitably qualified women. Applicants with disabilities (m/f/d) will be given preference where qualifications are otherwise essentially equal. The University of Bamberg has been certified as a family-friendly university by the Hertie Foundation and is particularly committed to supporting the compatibility of family and working life.

Requirements

Research Field Sociology Education Level PhD or equivalent

Research Field Medical sciences » Epidemiology Education Level PhD or equivalent

Research Field Medical sciences » Health sciences Education Level PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• A university degree (Master’s, university diploma, state examination or equivalent) as well as a relevant doctoral degree in a social or health science discipline (e.g. sociology, public health, epidemiology, demography, economics)
• A strong research background at the intersection of social sciences and health (e.g. social inequalities in health, life course epidemiology, social determinants of health)
• Excellent knowledge of quantitative methods and substantial experience in preparing and analysing longitudinal or panel data
• Very good programming skills in Stata or R; experience with Stata is particularly welcome
• A track record of publications in international peer-reviewed journals
• Very good scientific writing and English language skills; German language skills are an advantage but not required
• Ability to work independently and systematically, combined with strong communication and teamwork skills
• Desirable: Experience with international data harmonisation and cross-country comparative analyses

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