Up to five Postdoc Positions (m/f/d) for Cluster of Excellence \"Transforming Human Rights\"

Up to five Postdoc Positions (m/f/d) for Cluster of Excellence \“Transforming Human Rights\“

The Cluster of Excellence “Transforming Human Rights\“, based at Friedrich‑Alexander‑Universität Erlangen‑Nürnberg (FAU), addresses fundamental questions about the potential and limits of human rights in the context of several major worldwide transformation processes. The Cluster’s Postdoc program is unique both in content and scope, providing an exceptional environment to unite outstanding talents and to prepare them for human rights careers in academia and praxis.

Benefits:

• Regular promotion to the next level and increase in salary pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement for the public service of the German Länder (TV‑L) or remuneration pursuant to the Bavarian Public Servants Remuneration Act (BayBesG) plus an additional annual bonus
• 30 days annual leave at five working days per week with additional free days on December 24 and 31
• Occupational pension scheme and asset accumulation savings scheme

Your Tasks

• Conduct independent and collaborative research on the transformation of human rights, norms, institutions, and/or practices, preferably related to at least one of the five megatrends: autocratization, planetary environmental crises, migration, fragmented economic globalization, and digitalization.
• Research that bridges two of these megatrends is particularly welcome.
• Receive an individual Postdoc Advisory Committee offering academic mentoring and an opt‑in/opt‑out structure for tailor‑made skills development.
• Operate with a dedicated research budget and have opportunities to visit the Cluster’s international partner institutions or human rights organizations for extended stays.
• Benefit from active support for academic development and career progression within early‑career support schemes at FAU.

Your Profile

• Completed PhD/doctorate (thesis must be submitted by the starting date of the contract) with a strong focus on human rights research (interdisciplinary research experience is an asset).
• University degree (or equivalent) with excellent results in disciplines such as law, political science, philosophy, anthropology, human geography, management studies, history or computer sciences.
• Initial experience in publishing academic work.
• Fluency in English; additional languages are an asset.

Equal Opportunities

We seek to realize equal opportunities and encourage applications from interested individuals regardless of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, ethnicity, religion, or belief. The Cluster has appointed an Equity and Diversity Steward and an Equity and Diversity Coordinator who will participate in the selection process. Severely disabled persons are given preferential consideration if they have the same professional qualifications and personal aptitude and if the advertised position is suitable for severely disabled persons.

Application Process

• Apply online via the FAU online application platform.
• Automatic confirmation of receipt sent by e‑mail.
• Invitation to first interview.
• Optional invitation to second interview in person at FAU.
• Decision and employment documents prepared.
• Consultation with Staff Council.
• Commencement of employment – welcome to FAU.

Application deadline: 05 01 2026. Interviews will take place in early February 2026.

Contact: Dr. Robert Fischer – Executive Director, Cluster of Excellence “Transforming Human Rights” – email: robert.fischer@fau.de – phone: +49 1520 4976834

Location: Philosophische Fakultät und Fachbereich Theologie, Andreij‑Sacharow‑Platz 1, 90403 Nürnberg.

Job start date: 01.04.2026.

Payment: TV‑L E 13. Working time: full time, weekly working hours 40. Limitation: temporary employment 36 months.

Release date: 21.11.2025.