Research Assistant (m/f/d), Post-Doc, EG 13 TV-H, fixed term-position, part-time (currently 32 hours per week)

Evaluation of transdisciplinary processes for sustainability transformations 

Part time position with 80,00 percent of the working hours of a full-time employee. The position is limited to 24 months (with a possibility for extension) as part of the project ‘LEVER: “Our sustainabLe futurE, the ValuEs that dRive it, and how to get there” in accordance with § 2 para. 1 WissZeitVG.

The Kassel Institute for Sustainability is a new interdisciplinary center in the field of sustainability transformation with a four-fold focus on human-environment interactions, just transitions, cultures of sustainability, and sustainable technology design. The institute aims to develop options and inspire social transformations as per the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), through scholarly research, effective networking, and dedicated teaching.

The Faculty of Humanities and Cultural Studies of the University of Kassel is a broad-based, diverse teaching, research, and educational unit that is characterized by a richness of conventional and unconventional topics. It welcomes inter- and transdisciplinarity within its doctoral programs, lectures, research projects, and science-society partnerships.

This postdoctoral position is part of the ERC-funded project LEVER (Our sustainabLe futurE, the ValuEs that dRive it, and how to get there), led by Andra Milcu. The project envisions a reframing of knowledge production in support of sustainability transformation, aiming to bridge knowledge, people, and action. LEVER develops and applies both the theory and practice of conducting research that purposefully supports sustainability transformations, with a particular focus on understanding and activating sustainability-aligned values as leverage points. The successful candidate will join a growing and dynamic research team connected to an international network of researchers, including: the Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (Finland), the Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis (Karlsruhe, Germany), the Institute of Environmental Planning (Hannover, Germany), the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development (Utrecht, Netherlands), this position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research at the intersection of values, transformation, and transdisciplinary sustainability science.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct the (qualitative) evaluation of transdisciplinary transformative processes in three case studies located in the Republic of Moldova, Romania, and Germany. The evaluation will focus in particular on disentangling the impact of values-based interventions integrated into each case study process.
• Provide methodological and academic support to PhD candidates within the LEVER project, contributing to capacity-building and collaborative research development.
• Support the research activities of the Cultures of Sustainability Unit.
• Assist in the development and delivery of teaching and educational programs.
• Contribute to the growth and strategic development of the Kassel Institute for Sustainability.

Required qualifications

• A completed academic university degree with good to very good grades, as well as a completed doctorate in sustainability science(s), (environmental) social sciences, socio-ecological research, or other sustainability-oriented disciplines. All required qualifications must be fulfilled by the start date of the position.
• Proven expertise in qualitative research methods and analysis.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
• A strong record of research and scientific publications relevant to sustainability and transformation studies.

Desirable qualifications

• Experience working with ideal-typical transdisciplinary case studies, real world labs, impact evaluation of new modes of knowledge production.
• Familiarity with place-based and/or international sustainability transformation initiatives.
• Willingness and ability to work in an international, transdisciplinary research team that integrates both Mode 1 and Mode 2 knowledge production.

Please submit your application in English only and include the following documents as a single merged PDF file:

1. Curriculum Vitae (maximum 1–2 pages), including a list of publications
2. Letter of application (maximum 1–2 pages), outlining:
   1. Your academic background in relation to the required qualifications
   2. Your research interests
   3. Your motivation for applying for this position
3. Supporting documents for required qualifications

The successful applicant will be supported to further develop academic qualifications.

For all positions and general information, please email andra.milcu(at)uni-kassel.de

In the event of any differences between the German and English versions of this call for application, the German wording is legally binding.

Our Offer:

As an employee of the University of Kassel

• you will be offered an interesting and diverse range of tasks within the framework of a modern and ambitious university,
• you will be part of an interdisciplinary team with a good and collegial working atmosphere,
• you will have the opportunity to participate in professional and interdisciplinary further education measures,
• is your workplace with good connections to public transport, which you can currently use free of charge.

In addition, you will benefit from the advantages of employment in the public service such as:

• an additional company pension (VBL),
• an optional child supplement in accordance with TV-Hessen, a family-friendly university (including childcare for emergencies),
• an annual bonus
• an entitlement to capital-accumulation benefits,
• a promotion of voluntary commitment,
• low-cost participation in university sports and a full range of fitness activities as part of Unifit, as well as workplace health management

You can find more jobs at stellen.uni-kassel.de

Please send your application with the usual informative documents, stating the reference number in the subject line, via the online form. We have compiled further information for you in our FAQ.

In exceptional cases, we will also accept your application documents in paper form addressed to: The President of the University of Kassel, 34109 Kassel, Germany, or via mail to bewerbungen[at]uni-kassel.de, stating the reference number.

In the case of postal applications, please submit only copies of your documents (no folders), as these cannot be returned. All documents will be destroyed after completion of the selection process in compliance with data protection regulations.

The protection of your personal information is very important to us, so we will handle your personal information with care. By your application, you allow us the storage and use in the sense of the Hessian Data Protection and Freedom of Information Act. You can object to this at any time. Your personal data will be deleted.

Information according to Art. 13 DSGVO for the application process at the University of Kassel can be found at:
www.uni-kassel.de/go/ausschreibung-datenschutz

Information and FAQ about applying for a job offer:

https://www.uni-kassel.de/uni/universitaet/stellenangebote/hinweise-und-faq-zur-bewerbung-auf-ein-stellenangebot

The University of Kassel is very interested in the professional satisfaction of its employees. It is distinguished as a family-friendly university and, in the interests of equal opportunities, strives to offer everyone the same opportunities for development and to counteract existing disadvantages. It promotes the Family Welcome Service and also the Dual Career Service for positions that are scientifically and academically filled. One of the strategic goals of the University of Kassel is to significantly increase the proportion of women in research and teaching. Applications from women are therefore particularly welcome. Seriously handicapped and equivalent applicants are given preference if they have the same suitability, qualifications and professional performance. Full-time positions are generally divisible (except when filling civil servant positions). Applications indicating the Position Number, which may be in digital form, should be sent to the President of the University of Kassel, 34109 Kassel, Germany quoting the applicable reference number.