Postdoctoral Researcher (f/m/d)
The Ruhr area, one of Europe’s largest metropolitan regions, offers attractive career opportunities for excellent scientists and scholars from around the world. In 2021, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, TU Dortmund University and the University of Duisburg-Essen established the Research Alliance Ruhr to bundle their cutting-edge international research on the most urgent challenges facing humankind. There are four research centers and a college. This is just the latest chapter in our long-standing collaboration as the University Alliance Ruhr (UA Ruhr), a community of 14,000 researchers and 120,000 students in the heart of Germany.
The College for Social Sciences and Humanities is a forum in which established research foci of the UA Ruhr in the social sciences and the humanities are further developed, revised and complemented in close cooperation with international visiting scholars. In addition to three interdisciplinary research professorships and three junior research groups, the College offers an international senior fellowship program that enables leading international researchers to undertake collaborative research projects with academic tandem partners from the UA Ruhr.
As part of the Research Alliance Ruhr, the College for Social Sciences and Humanities is seeking to fill the following position at the Department of Anglophone Studies of the University of Duisburg-Essen as soon as possible:
Postdoctoral Researcher (f/m/d; No. 213-26)
TV-L 13 (gross 4.759 € - 6.764 €)
Your main tasks
You will contribute to the academic activities of the research professorship “Public Social Sciences and Humanities: Key Societal Debates” (Prof. Dr. Sule Emmanuel Egya) which is affiliated both with the Department of Anglophone Studies at the University Duisburg-Essen and the College for Social Sciences and Humanities in Essen. The professorship’s research focus is centered on environmental humanities, public humanities, migration, decolonial discourse, indigenous studies, and creative writing. Highlights of activities related to the professorship include running a blog, organizing academic and cultural events, and relating research to the public in innovative ways.
Specifically, your roles include:
- the development and implementation of an independent postdoctoral research project within one of the professorship’s research interests (culminating in, for instance, a “second book” or a “Habilitation”)
- the conceptualization, organization and moderation of workshops, conferences and public-facing (literary and cultural) events
- the preparation of academic manuscripts for publication, especially in the aspect of research, editing and referencing
- the active participation in the conceptual and editorial implementation of a blog devoted to key societal debates
- the active participation in the preparation of grant proposals as well as in the establishment of partnerships with cultural institutions (museums, festivals, etc.)
Your profile
- an above-average university degree (M.A.) and doctorate in anglophone studies or another relevant discipline
- proven expertise in postcolonial literature, culture, and/or media (ideally demonstrated by publications in relevant academic journals/publishing houses)
- the clear intention to develop and realize a specific postdoctoral research project (e.g., "second book") within one of the research professorship's research foci
- experience in the use and development of qualitative research methods (e.g., field research in literary and cultural analysis) as well as digital humanities methods
- experience in the conceptualization and organization of academic events as well as of formats designed for the general public (e.g., blogs, artist talks, public poetry readings)
- excellent skills in English and German (written and spoken, min. C1)
- strong interest in working in interdisciplinary teams
- well-developed intercultural competencies and experience in international/multicultural work environments
We offer you
- a varied, multifaceted area of responsibility in a research-intensive environment that includes versatile international exchange
- a demanding, but also fun position, in which you encounter the diverse tasks and developments in outreach and applied research while working with partner organizations, other disciplines and administrative units, and regional as well as international research communities
- a working environment with respectful, appreciative cooperation
- a pleasant working atmosphere in a dynamic team
- a family-friendly employer offering nursery and kindergarten places for pre-school children
- a wide range of training and development opportunities, individual onboarding and induction
- excellent public transport connections and free parking spaces
- attractive sports and health facilities (university sports)
- the possibility of partially working remotely from home
Start of employment as soon as possible
Duration of employment 36 months (with potential option of extension)
Working time 100% of a full-time position
Application deadline June 15, 2026
Please send your application including a cover letter, a CV (incl. a list of publications), copies of relevant certificates (M.A., Ph.D.), and a sketch of a potential postdoctoral research project (max. 5 pages) as a single pdf file to Prof. Dr. Sule Emmanuel Egya via e-mail: sule.egya@college-uaruhr.de , quoting the reference number 213-26. Questions concerning the vacant position can be directed to Prof. Dr. Egya via email or phone: +49 201 183 6571.
Further information about the College for Social Sciences and Humanities and the Department of Anglophone Studies can be found at https://www.college-uaruhr.de/ and https://www.uni-due.de/anglistik/.
The University of Duisburg- Essen aims to promote the diversity of its members
(see https://www.uni-due.de/diversity). It strives to increase the proportion of women among its academic staff and therefore strongly encourages relevantly qualified women to apply. In accordance with the NRW State Equal Opportunities Act, women with equal qualifications will be considered preferentially. Applications from suitable severely disabled persons and persons of equal status within the meaning of Section 2 (3) SGB IX are welcome.