Three research assistants (50% PhD positions) (d / f / m) in the field of sustainable and just [...]

Witten/Herdecke University, which was founded in 1982, is Germany's first privately funded university. At present, it has a staff of more than 900 employees serving over 3,000 students. The university is committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and, accordingly, to tackling the complex challenges of meeting these goals. We aim to contribute through our teaching and research to overcoming the climate crisis and to shaping a sustainable, liveable, and viable society. In line with this objective, we strive to make our administration and life on our campus as climate-friendly and socially responsible as possible.

Within the context of the Heisenberg Professorship for Politics, Transformation and Sustainability (Prof Dr Joscha Wullweber), in the Department of Politics, Philosophy, and Economics we are recruiting for 1 August 2025 three research assistants (50% PhD positions) (d/f/m) in the field of sustainable and just transformation and global finance.

The appointment is limited to three years and four months. The aim is to increase the position to a part-time level of 65% and to find follow-on financing.

Your Responsibilities

Development and establishment of the research area “Sustainable and Just Transformation” at Witten/Herdecke University with a strong focus on sustainable finance:

• Research in the area of transformation and/or global finance
• Teaching (2 semester hours per week) in the field of political science and international political economy
• Publication of research results in national and international journals
• Presentation of research results at the PhD workshop, national and international conferences, workshops and other academic events.
• Transfer of research findings to the public
• Collaboration on university committees

Your profile

• Completed master's degree in political science, economics, social sciences, or International Political Economy
• Very good command of English
• Good knowledge of German
• In-depth knowledge of international political economy and sustainable finance
• Ability and motivation to conduct independent, theoretically guided empirical research
• Strong interest in global transformation processes in the field of socio-ecological transformation and global finance
• Intent to finalize the PhD degree within the given timeframe
• Experience in and willingness to engage in interdisciplinary cooperation
• Experience in research and/or political activism in the field of sustainable transformation is desirable

We are looking for PhD topics in the following research areas: research about the interplay between the shadow banking system and offshore financial structures and their relation to the green transition and the global financial system; policy analysis of EU sustainable finance regulations, exploring the interests, strategies, and struggles of EU policymakers, private financial actors, and civil society organizations; the emergence and contestation of EU green financial technocracy in the context of market-based finance, failures of governance and popular demands.

What We Offer

The opportunity to conduct research in an international context and, based on the progressive approaches of theory and methodology in international political economy, to make an important contribution toward a more profound understanding of the processes and struggles of sustainable and equitable transformation and global financial relations.

• A stimulating working environment for political-economic research at the international level
• Comprehensive support for your PhD project
• The chance to teach small seminar groups of international students in our innovative Bachelor's and English-language Master's programmes in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics
• Possibilities to actively initiate, accompany and shape sustainable transformation processes
• The university subsidises the 9€ ticket
• A family-friendly working environment (flexible working hours, with the possibility of also working from home).
• 30 days of paid annual leave and extended holiday weekends (from the 24th to 31st of December plus three additional days that fall between a public holiday and the weekend)
• Child care subsidy of up to 200 euros per month (depending on salary level and age of child)
• Occupational pension scheme and disability insurance
• Comprehensive advanced training programme
• Promotion of environmentally-friendly transportation options (bicycle leasing, electric car rental, etc.)
• Local public transport season ticket at a reduced price
• A wide selection of food choices in our cafeteria at reduced employee prices
• A variety of sports and leisure activities for staff members
• Excellent infrastructure and modern technical equipment
• Opportunities to participate in national and international conferences

Contact

Interested applicants are invited to submit detailed applications online via the application portal of Witten/Herdecke University. Applications must include a statement of motivation, curriculum vitae, a one-page synopsis of the proposed dissertation project, documentation of qualifications and competencies, references, writing sample (preferably master's thesis or published articles).

The deadline for applications is 7 May 2025. Interviews will be held shortly after the application deadline.

For any questions regarding the content of the call for applications, please contact Professor Joscha Wullweber (joscha.wullweber@uni-wh.de).