Research Associate for the Project “Linguistic Diversity and Social Participation Across the Lifespan” (Three Postdoctoral Fellowships) § 28 Subsection 3 HmbHG

Institution: Faculty of Education

Salary level: EGR. 13 TV-L

Start date: as soon as possible, fixed for a period of four years (This is a fixed-term contract in accordance with Section 2 of the academic fixed-term labor contract act [Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz, WissZeitVG]).

Application deadline: 2025-06-15

Scope of work: full-time position suitable for part-time

Background

The Faculty of Education at the University of Hamburg is a leader in conducting innovative and future-oriented research related to the educational and social consequences of diversity resulting from migration and globalization. This strength is now further expanded through the award of a Humboldt Professorship to Distinguished Professor Ingrid Piller as part of the faculty research center “Literacy in Diversity Settings (LiDS).”

The Humboldt Professorship is devoted to “Linguistic Diversity and Social Participation across the Lifespan” and is closely integrated with the activities of the Language on the Move platform. The research focus will be on migrant language socialization, language learning, and settlement across the lifespan and outside of institutions of formal education. This includes digital spaces as well as language brokering and other forms of informal language assistance that often undergird institutional communications in linguistically diverse societies.

Your responsibilities

Duties include academic services in the project named above. Research associates may also pursue independent research and further academic qualifications.

Opportunity

This is a unique opportunity to become part of an education-focused research center that aims to make major contributions to social cohesion in linguistically diverse societies. Together, we will pursue a 5-pronged work strategy of:

Original research through a series of interconnected sociolinguistic ethnographies
Methodological innovation in multilingual qualitative data-sharing
Capacity building in open digital research related to linguistic diversity, language development, and language learning in social life
Industry transfer through the co-design and delivery of professional development programs that make institutions more accessible to linguistically diverse populations
Knowledge dissemination to contribute positively to public debates and policy discourses about linguistic diversity, multilingualism, and language learning

Job description

Successful candidates will – individually and as part of the team – undertake the following tasks under the leadership of the Humboldt Professor:

Co-design and conduct an independent yet linked sociolinguistic-ethnographic project related to linguistic diversity and social participation across the lifespan
Bring together methods, theories, and case studies, and contribute to data-sharing, supplementary data collection and re-analysis as part of an overarching collaborative research design
Contribute to overall team data management
Publish research findings through a variety of traditional and non-traditional outputs, individually and with co-authors
Contribute to supervising PhD students on the team
Contribute to teaching in the Faculty of Education and to creating professional development resources for partner institutions
Contribute to the organization of workshops and other academic events, both internal and outward-facing
Develop a national and international profile as an emerging research leader in area of specialization

Your profile

A university degree in a relevant field, plus doctorate.

Essential qualifications

PhD in applied sociolinguistics or related discipline (applicants whose PhD is under examination may be considered)
Experience in conducting sociolinguistic ethnographic research or related qualitative approaches
A solid background in social approaches to intercultural communication, linguistic diversity, multilingualism, and language learning
Research interest in linguistic diversity as it relates to one or more of the following: technology, workplace, family
Experience working in a team and strong commitment to working collaboratively on a joint project
Incipient publications track record
Strong communication skills in spoken and written English

Desired qualifications

Proficiency in German (successful applicants without German language proficiency will be expected to reach CEFR level B1 within 12 months)
Proficiency in one or more additional languages, preferably migrant languages

We offer

Reliable remuneration based on wage agreements

Continuing education opportunities

University pensions

Attractive location

Flexible working hours

Work-life balance opportunities

Health management, EGYM Wellpass

Educational leave

30 days of vacation per annum

Universität Hamburg—University of Excellence is one of the strongest research educational institutions in Germany. Our work in research, teaching, educational and knowledge exchange activities is fostering the next generation of responsible global citizens ready to tackle the global challenges facing us. Our guiding principle “Innovating and Cooperating for a Sustainable Future in a digital age” drives collaboration with academic and nonacademic partner institutions in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region and around the world. We would like to invite you to be part of our community to work with us in creating sustainable and digital change for a dynamic and pluralist society.

The University of Hamburg is committed to equity. Diversity enriches our university life, whether in our studies, research, teaching, education, or workplace. We therefore welcome all applications, regardless of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic or social background, age, religion or belief, disability, or chronic illness.

Severely disabled and disabled applicants with the same status will receive preference over equally qualified non-disabled applicants.