The Junior Professorship for Public Management at Faculty of Economics and Management Science seeks to fill the following position with the goal of pursuing a PhD:

Research associate (m/f/d/x)

Job vacancy from 19.12.2025 · Reference number 192/2025

Remuneration

Salary group 13 TV-L

Term

17 October 2029, subject to compatible qualification planning

Volume

50 % of a full-time position; part-time position possible

Start date

at the earliest opportunity

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 role

Development of concepts and models addressing current research questions in public management, in particular regarding the governance of public enterprises, innovation in public sector organisations, and the digital transformation of government
Empirical research, including data collection, preparation, and analysis at national and local government level
Conducting interviews and qualitative analyses with key stakeholders in public administration, politics and public enterprises
Contribution to externally funded research projects and draft project proposals
Advising and supervision of students in the field of public management
Teaching duties up to a maximum 2 contact hours per week (2 SWS)
Academic reports, expert opinions and publications
Systematic literature reviews and analytical syntheses in English and/or German
Presentation of research results at national and international conferences
Pursuit of own academic qualification.

About you

Master’s degree in Political Science, Economics, Sociology or a related field, preferably with a focus on Public Management, Public Administration or Public Policy
Clear academic focus and motivation to complete a doctorate in line with the research profile of the Professorship of Public Management during the contract term
Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
Professional working proficiency (C1–C2) in English or German, both written and spoken
Experience with statistical software (e.g. R, Stata) and/or text analysis tools (e.g. MaxQDA) is desirable.

What we offer you

a responsible role in the exciting environment of a large university in an engaged, interdisciplinary, and internationally connected research team
Support for international research stays and opportunities for academic collaboration
The option to complete a binational doctorate in cooperation with a partner 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 with the usual documents, quoting reference number 192/2025, to: Leipzig University, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Management Science, Professor Rainer Alt, Grimmaische Straße 12, 04109 Leipzig by 16 January 2026. You are also welcome to email your application as a single PDF file to dekanat@wifa.uni-leipzig.de.

Your application should include a one-page research proposal outlining your intended doctoral topic or research idea.

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.