Research Assistant (Doctoral Researcher)

Research Assistant (Doctoral Researcher)

The positions on offer are temporary and limited until 31 March 2030. Payment will be made according to pay group 13 TV-L Wissenschaft. Further information regarding the collective agreement for the federal states (TV-L) and on the pay scale can be found here.

Project description:

As a trinational cooperation between the University of Greifswald, the University of Tartu, and the NTNU Trondheim, we welcome ambitious doctoral projects that markedly set their own areas of focus within our research programme and can thereby be assigned to one of the subject groups represented by our members of staff:

• Literatures and languages (esp. Baltic Studies, Finnish Studies, Modern German Literature, Scandinavian Studies, Slavonic/Ukrainian Studies);
• History (esp. History of the Middle Ages, the Early Modern Period, and the Modern Era, Eastern European History);
• Political science (esp. Political Sociology and Methods of Political Science, Comparative Political Science);
• Philosophy (esp. Practical Philosophy).

Doctoral students benefit from a structured training programme and international workshops that promote the acquisition of in-depth expertise on the Baltic Sea region and convey key interdisciplinary and intercultural skills.

You can find comprehensive information about the joint project here.

Job description:

• Conducting independent, problem-focused research to complete a doctoral project and write a doctoral thesis within the disciplinary and conceptual framework of the IRTG;
• Active and regular on-site participation in the structured qualification programme of the IRTG;
• Presentation of research results at conferences and workshops in Germany and abroad;
• Active exchange with international partners and co-supervisors, including planned research stays of 6 months at the partner universities (additional mobility funds will be provided in accordance with the LRKG M-V);
• Organisational tasks (co-organisation of conferences and workshops, compilation of semester reports, assistance in the planning of programmes etc.);
• The position holder will have the opportunity to continue their academic qualification; tasks will be assigned that are conducive to the preparation of a doctorate.

Job requirements:

• University degree qualifying for a doctorate (master’s, Staatsexamen [State Examination] or equivalent) completed by the start of employment in one of the above-mentioned subject areas;
• A compelling proposal for a doctoral thesis that aligns with the IRTG’s research framework;
• Willingness and ability to contribute actively, independently, and collaboratively to the interdisciplinary and international research programme and the academic community;
• Excellent English language skills both in writing and speaking (equivalent to C1/ CEFR);
• Advanced skills (equivalent to B1/CEFR) in at least one more language of the Baltic Sea region (including German).

Further knowledge and skills that will play a decisive role in the selection of suitable candidates are:

• Experience in organising academic events or events in related fields.

Information about the application and selection procedure:
Your application should include the following documents:

1. A cover letter (1-2 pages) in which you explain your current main research interests, describe why you would like to conduct your doctoral project in an international and interdisciplinary setting, and outline how you specifically intend to contribute to the research group;
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV);
3. Thesis proposal (max. 1,500 words, excluding the timeline, work plan, and bibliography);
4. Two references (names and contact details);
5. Copies of secondary and higher education certificates;
6. A writing sample (your own academic publication and/or an excerpt from a thesis; maximum of 30 pages in total).

Please compile the listed documents into a single PDF file in the order specified above. In addition, please send us (in a separate PDF file):

7. Your complete (master’s or equivalent) thesis.

A non-binding list of hypothetical sample topics that could be addressed as part of a doctoral project at the IRTG can be found here.

The University of Greifswald actively supports employees with family responsibilities and offers a diverse range of programmes to help them balance work and family life. The IRTG additionally supports employees who provide care and offers measures to promote the individual career paths of doctoral students.

The position is open to all persons, irrespective of gender. Severely disabled applicants with the same qualifications will be considered with preference.

Pursuant to § 83(8) Sentence 3, read in conjunction with § 83(1) Item 1 PersVG M-V, the Staff Council shall only be consulted on the appointment and determination of the pay grade for members of academic or artistic staff upon request. The request may be submitted in text form, via email, together with the application documents.

Unfortunately, the application costs (e.g. travel expenses for interviews) will not be reimbursed by the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

Please note that by submitting your application, you provide your consent pursuant to data protection law for our processing of your application data. Further information about the legal bases and the use of your data can be found here.

For further information, please contact the IRTG Spokesperson, Prof. Dr. Eckhard Schumacher (eckhard.schumacher@uni-greifswald.de, +49 3834 420 3421), or the IRTG’s Academic Coordinator, Dr. Alexander Waszynski (alexander.waszynski@uni-greifswald.de, +49 3834 420 3591).

Applications in German or English language should be sent via email with reference to the job advertisement number 26/ES20 by 20 November 2026 to:

Universität Greifswald
Institut für Deutsche Philologie
Prof. Dr. Eckhard Schumacher
Rubenowstraße 3
D-17489 Greifswald

irtg2560-applications@uni-greifswald.de