Postdoc Position (m/f/d) for Cluster of Excellence "Transforming Human Rights"

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“Protecting Migrant Rights and Democratic Rights through Law: Friends, Foes or Strangers?“, a new research project based in the Transforming Human Rights Cluster of Excellence at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), aims to examine the entanglements and disentanglements between the legal practices to protect migrant rights and democratic rights across Europe. Focussing on legal practices in Denmark, Germany, Greece, Poland, Turkey and the UK domestically and supranationally, the project will ask whether and how real-world experiences to protect migrant rights and democratic rights though law are entangled or disentangled, for what reasons and with what consequences.

For more information about “Transforming Human Rights” see:

https://www.humanrights.fau.eu/research-chren/exc-transforming-hr/

Job Benefits

  • Regular promotion to the next level and increase in salary pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement for the public service of the German Länder (TV-L) or remuneration pursuant to the Bavarian Public Servants Remuneration Act (BayBesG) plus an additional annual bonus
  • 30 days annual leave at five working days per week with additional free days on December 24 and 31
  • Occupational pension scheme and asset accumulation savings scheme
  • Excellent support during the academic qualification phase
  • Family-friendly environment with childcare options, also during school holidays
  • Flexible working hours
  • A wide range of training courses and opportunities for professional development

Description

The postdoctoral researcher will work in close collaboration with the co-PIs of the project, Professor Dr Grażyna Baranowska (FAU) and Professor Dr Başak Çalı (University of Oxford), and will be based at the FAU.

The successful candidate will be expected to conduct independent and collaborative research at the intersection of migrant rights and democratic rights. They will:

  1. contribute to the mapping legal practice communities working on migrant rights and democratic rights in the six jurisdictions

  2. develop a preliminary research matrix examining how the relationship between migrant rights and democratic rights manifests across different country contexts

  3. co-organize three practitioner workshops.

    The role will also involve conducting expert research interviews for the project.

Qualifications

Necessary Qualifications:

  • Completed PhD/doctorate (thesis must be submitted by the starting date of the contract), with a strong focus on migration and/or democracy in human rights studies
  • Experience in legal practice or in working with practitioners
  • Experience of publishing academic work
  • The ability to work to a high academic level and publish research in English




    Additional Qualifications:

  • Knowledge of migrant rights/democratic rights in at least one of the country case studies (Denm ark, Germany, Greece, Poland, Turkey, UK)
  • Strong knowledge of European and international standards at the intersection of migration and democracy.
  • Training in or previous experience with socio-legal research methods

Supplementary description

We seek to realize equal opportunities, and encourage applications from interested individuals regardless of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, ethnicity, religion, or belief. The Cluster has appointed an Equity and Diversity Steward and an Equity and Diversity Coordinator who will participate in the selection process.

Please upload your application by 18 June 2026 (cover letter, CV, list of publications, copies of certificates) to the FAU online platform and refrain from sending applications by post or email. Interviews with selected candidates will take place on 6 July 2026.

Interested applicants may contact Professor Baranowska (grazyna.baranowska@fau.de) with questions about the role.

Apply now

Apply now

Application deadline: 18.06.2026

Job start date01.09.2026
Application deadline 18.06.2026
LocationFriedrich-Alexander-Universität
Andreij-Sacharow-Platz 1
90403 Nürnberg
PaymentTV-L E 13
Working timeFull time
Weekly working hours40 hours/week
LimitationTemporary employment: until 30.08.2029
ContactProf. Dr. Grazyna Baranowska

The application process

  1. Apply online

  2. Automatic confirmation of receipt sent by e-mail

  3. Place of employment views applications

  4. Invitation to first interview

  5. 2

    Optional invitation to second interview in person at FAU

  6. Is there a match?

  7. Employment documents prepared

  8. Consultation with Staff Council

  9. Commencement of employment – welcome to FAU

Release date: 11.05.2026, Poster View