The Cluster of Excellence “Transforming Human Rights”, based at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), addresses fundamental questions about the potential and limits of human rights in the context of several major worldwide transformation processes. The Cluster’s Postdoc program is unique both in content and scope providing an exceptional environment to unite outstanding talents and to prepare them for human rights careers in academia and praxis. For more information, see: https://www.transforming-human-rights.fau.de/en/forschung/.

• 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

• Subsidized food and drinks in our student restaurants
• Family-friendly environment with childcare options, also during school holidays
• A wide range of training courses and opportunities for professional development

Successful candidates are expected to conduct independent and collaborative research on the transformation of human rights, norms, institutions, and/or practices, preferably related to at least one of the five megatrends. Research that bridges two of these megatrends are particularly welcome. Each Postdoc project is going to be accompanied by an individual Postdoc Advisory Committee that offers both academic mentoring and an opt-in/opt-out structure for tailor-made skills development. The Postdocs will receive their own research budget and will have opportunities to visit the Cluster’s international partner institutions or human rights organizations for extended stays. The Cluster will actively support the Postdocs’ further academic development and career progression within its early career support schemes both within the Cluster and the broader environment at FAU.

- Completed PhD/doctorate (thesis must be submitted by the starting date of the contract), with a strong focus on human rights research (interdisciplinary research experience is an asset)
- Your PhD should have been obtained no longer than 3 years before the starting date of your working contract.
- University degree (or equivalent) with excellent results (in disciplines, e.g. law, political science, philosophy, anthropology, human geography, management studies, history or computer sciences)
- Initial experience in publishing academic work
- Fluency in English; additional languages are an asset

Please upload your application by 25 August 2026 (cover letter, CV, list of publications, copies of certificates) plus a project proposal (five pages) on the planned research project to this online platform and refrain from sending applications by post or email. You are also welcome to share information about circumstances that may have impacted your career development [https://www.transforming-human-rights.fau.de/structural-disadvantage-or-special-circumstances/]. Interviews will take place in early October 2026.

We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those who are underrepresented in academia. This includes, for example, individuals with experiences of migration, disabilities, care responsibilities, or non-traditional academic trajectories, as well as people who are the first in their family to attend university, or who have pursued their education in geographical areas underrepresented in European academia, as well as candidates from structurally marginalized social, cultural, or economic backgrounds. The Cluster has appointed an Equity and Diversity Steward and an Equity and Diversity Coordinator who will participate in the selection process.

For questions about the Postdoc-program and/or your application, you may contact: Dr. Maria Jose Luque (maria.jose.luque@fau.de)