Postdoctoral Researcher Urban Culture and Organization

As a humanistic, sustainable and action-oriented university, Leuphana University of Lüneburg stands for innovation in education and science. Methodological diversity, interdisciplinary cooperation, transdisciplinary cooperation with practice and an overall dynamic development characterise its research profile in the core topics of education, culture, management/technology, sustainability and state. Its international study model with the Leuphana College, the Leuphana Graduate School and the Leuphana Professional School is unique in Germany and has won many awards.

The Institute for Sociology and Cultural Organization of the School of Culture and Society, Professorship Sociology of Organization and Culture (Prof. Dr. Timon Beyes), has a vacancy for a full-time (100%)

Postdoctoral Researcher
(Subject: PostDoc Urban Culture and Organization)
(salary group EG 13 TV-L, 100 %)

The position is to be filled for an initial period of 4 years, with the possibility of extension for a further 2 years. Preferred starting date is April 1st, 2027. 

Your tasks:

• Individual and collaborative research in the interdisciplinary area of ‘urban culture and organization’, with an emphasis on urban and spatial approaches to the production of art and culture, and to urban form as site and outcome of social organization. The research will be positioned in related research fields such as organization studies, sociology of culture, urban studies and spatial sociology.
• Candidates are expected to build up an independent and international research profile, with the option of a Habilitation (post-doctoral thesis).
• Candidates are expected to partake in, and contribute to, research activities (including the writing of grant applications) at the School of Culture and Society, esp. at the Centre for Digital Cultures and within the research focus on art, cultural organization and society.
• Teaching activities will take place mainly in (and for) the teaching programs of ‘Culture and Organization’ (MA) and ‘Organization, Society, and the Arts’ (BA), with a teaching load of 4 hours per semester week. The successful candidate is expected to support corresponding teaching planning activities.

Your profile:

• Fully completed, defended and excellent PhD thesis; the thesis should bear direct relation to the research area of urban culture and social organization.
• Strong experience with qualitative (urban) research methods, especially ethnographic, visual or sensory and archival methods.
• Knowledge of spatial theory and adjacent concepts of social and technological or infrastructural organization.
• English-language publications and teaching experience in English
• Ability to work independently, while also being an integral part of an interdisciplinary and international team.

Our offer:

• an inspiring working environment as part of the university community of researchers, teachers, students and staff in technology and administration,
• a workplace at one of the most beautiful university locations in Germany in a true campus university with an internationally acclaimed central building by Daniel Libeskind and the directly adjacent Wilschenbruch nature reserve,
• a high level of job security as part of the public service,
• an additional company pension scheme through the Versorgungsanstalt des Bundes und der Länder (VBL),
• flexible and family-friendly working hours within a flexitime framework from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.,
• flexible and family-friendly opportunities to alternate between presence work and mobile work,
• an extensive internal and external continuing education programme,
• a wide range of sporting activities sponsored by the university, which employees can take part in for one hour per week during working hours to promote their health,
• a university-sponsored catering service for lunch and dinner in the refectory,
• a Germany ticket sponsored by the university as a job ticket

The position is basically suitable for part-time work, but the aim is to fill it 100 per cent.

Your application:

For inquiries about the position, please contact Prof. Dr. Timon Beyes (timon.beyes@leuphana.de).

Leuphana University of Lüneburg promotes professional gender equality and heterogeneity among its mem-bers. Applications from people with severe disabilities will be given preferential consideration if they have the same qualifications.

Please submit all required documents (without photo) via our application portal by 19.10.2026. The application documents include your detailed CV (including academic records) and a research exposé on the planned doctoral or postdoctoral project (2-3 pages). We look forward to receiving your application!