The [Institute of Art History at the Faculty of History, Art and Area Studies seeks to fill the following position:

Predoctoral Research Assistant (m/f/d/x)

Job vacancy from 09.02.2026 · Reference number 19/2026

Remuneration

salary group 13 TV-L

Term

Fixed term in accordance with the planning of the qualification (initially 3 years)

Volume

50% of a full-time position

Start date

01.04.2026

Founded in 1409, Leipzig University is one of Germany’s largest universities and a leader in research and medical training. With around 30,000 students and more than 5000 members of staff across 14 faculties, it is at the heart of the vibrant and outward-looking city of Leipzig. Leipzig University offers an innovative and international working environment as well as an exciting range of career opportunities in research, teaching, knowledge and technology transfer, infrastructure and administration.

The successful candidate will conduct research in the field of Premodern or Early Modern Global Art History, leading to a dissertation. Moreover, the person will teach one course every term (depending on language proficiency in German or English) and assist in the research activities at the institute, particularly in connection with the work of professors Joris van Gastel and Nadja Horsch. An additional focus related to their respective research interests, including the relationships between art and nature and ecological perspectives, will be an advantage. The candidate is expected to enrol as a PhD candidate at Leipzig University.

The role

Pursuit of a scholarly qualification, in particular in the form of a doctoral dissertation
Research in the field of pre- and early modern global art history
Teaching equivalent to 2 SWS (contact hours per week)
Participation in academic administration
Supervision and support of students.

About you

Master’s degree in art or architectural history
Excellent command of English (C1/C2 level)
Proficiency in German and/or another relevant language would be an advantage
Ability to work independently and in a structured manner, with high quality standards and team spirit
Experience in higher education teaching would be an advantage.

What we offer you

a responsible role in the exciting environment of a large university
working in a friendly, helpful, and high-performing team
flexible working hours and mobile working for a better work-life balance
Opportunities for further training and professional development as part of a structured staff development programme
diverse range of corporate health management
Remuneration in accordance with the collective agreement for the states, including annual bonus and company pension plan
excellent transport links and the option to purchase a discounted public transport ticket, such as the Deutschlandticket as a commuter pass
extensive catering in the cafeterias and cafés of the Leipzig Student Services Association

Leipzig University aims to increase the proportion of women in positions of responsibility and therefore expressly invites qualified women to apply. Severely disabled persons – or persons deemed legally equal to them under Book IX of the German Social Code – are encouraged to apply and will be given preference in the case of equal suitability. If you have any questions about accessibility or need assistance with this application process, please contact Leipzig University’s disability officers at: schwerbehindertenvertretung@uni-leipzig.de.

Have we sparked your interest?

Please send your application (quoting reference number 19/2026) with the usual documents, including a two-page project outline and a chapter from the MA-thesis, before 8 March 2026 to arthistory@uni-leipzig.de (preferably as a PDF file) or to Universität Leipzig, Fakultät GKR, Institut für Kunstgeschichte/ Prof. Dr. Joris van Gastel – persönlich - Wünschmanns Hof, Dittrichring 18-20 in 04109 Leipzig.

Please note that it is not possible to guarantee confidentiality and rule out unauthorised access by third parties when communicating by unencrypted email. We kindly request that you submit copies only, as we are unable to return application documents. Interview expenses will not be reimbursed.

Privacy information

If you choose to apply and send us your documents, you do so voluntarily. Any personal data contained within your application documents, or obtained during an interview, will be processed by Leipzig University – as the advertiser of the position – exclusively for the purposes of the selection process for the position advertised. It will not be passed on to third parties without your consent in the individual case. The legal basis for such data processing is Sect. 11(1) of the Saxon Data Protection Implementation Act (SächsDSDG) in conjunction with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The controller for the application process within the meaning of the GDPR is the addressee of the application, specified in the advertisement.

Your personal data will be stored for six months after the end of the recruitment process and then erased or destroyed in accordance with data protection regulations. You may refuse or withdraw your consent with effect for the future without giving reasons. In these cases, Leipzig University will not or no longer be able to process and consider your application. Under the GDPR, subject to the relevant statutory requirements you have the following rights vis-à-vis the addressee of the application with regard to your personal data: right of access (Art. 15 GDPR); right to rectification of inaccurate personal data (Art. 16 GDPR); right to erasure (Art. 17 GDPR); right to restriction of processing (Art. 18 GDPR); and right to object to processing (Art. 21 GDPR). If you have any questions, please contact the Data Protection Officer at Leipzig University (office: Augustusplatz 10, 04109 Leipzig). You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Saxon Commissioner for Data Protection.