PostDoc

Job advertisement

Vacancy ID: 118/2026

Closing date: 2026-06-11

The Friedrich Schiller University Jena is a dynamic and innovation-driven university centrally located in Germany. With a broad range of disciplines, it shapes the future through excellent research and teaching. Its scientific excellence is reflected in the profile areas Light – Life – Liberty, which provide pioneering insights and sustainable solutions for the society of tomorrow. Through close collaborations with leading research institutions, innovative companies, and renowned cultural organizations, it advances interdisciplinary developments. With around 17,000 students and approximately 10,000 employees, it defines Jena as a vibrant, internationally connected city of science and innovation.

The Cluster of Excellence “Imaginamics: Practices and Dynamics of Social Imagining” is offering three full-time (100% / 40 hours per week) positions as

PostDoc

to support exploratory research projects to commence on 01.10.2026 for a fixed term expiring on 30.09.2028.

The Cluster of Excellence “Imaginamics” is an interdisciplinary research project of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena that conducts research on the practices and dynamics of social imagining. Funded by the German Excellence Strategy, it brings together scholars from multiple departments. The Clusters work distinguishes itself from extant research on social imaginaries by focusing on processes, practices, and dynamics of social imagining. For more information, see .

The funding for exploratory research is aimed at postdoctoral researchers who have completed their PhD within the last 12 months. This programme offers outstanding postdoctoral researchers two years of funding to support them in Jena as they prepare a postdoc project and, more broadly, in their career development. The programme is aimed in particular at international researchers.

Your responsibilities:

You will carry out a research project on-site at the Cluster in collaboration with the Clusters members and cooperation partners.

You will develop your research proposal into a grant-ready research project and complete an application by the end of the funding period in order to continue the research.

You will plan and organise an academic event related to the research topic.

You will actively participate in the intellectual life of the cluster.

You will present your research at national and international scientific conferences and workshops.

You will publish initial research results (at least one peer-reviewed paper).

Your profile:

You hold an excellent PhD in the humanities or social sciences, obtained no more than 12 months prior to the date of application.

You have spent a significant portion of your undergraduate and doctoral studies in another European or non-European country.

You hold a PhD in one of the disciplines represented in the cluster or in a related field.

Your postdoctoral project ties in with and complements the clusters research areas.

You are able to communicate academically in English and are willing to acquire a basic knowledge of German.

Regular attendance in Jena and active participation in research seminars and working groups are required.

We offer:

Remuneration based on the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector of the Federal States (TV-L) at salary scale 13 — depending on the candidates personal qualifications—, including a special annual payment in accordance with the collective agreement.

Postdoctoral researchers will be admitted to the Imaginamics Research School and will benefit from all the training and professional development opportunities offered by the graduate school. You will gain in-depth insight into the clusters interdisciplinary research activities and receive support for your individual development and training needs.