The University of Kassel is a modern and growing University with round about 22.000 students. The university’s wide range of expertise covers subjects in the natural, applied, cultural and social sciences.

In the Faculty of Humanities and Cultural Studies and the Kassel Institute for Sustainability - Department of Cultures of Sustainability (Prof. Dr. Andra-Ioana Horcea-Milcu), the following position is available as of 01.01.2025:

Research Assistant (m/f/d), EG 13 TV-H, fixed term-position, part-time (currently 30 hours per week)

Application deadline:
01.10.2024

Date of hire: 01.01.2025

vacancy number: 37685
for a Transdisciplinary transformative case study with a focus on sustainability initiatives as actors of transformative change (Romania as case study country)

Part time position with 75,00 percent of the working hours of a full-time employee. The position is limited first to 3,5 years as part of the project ‘LEVER: “Our sustainab Le futur E, the Valu Es that d Rive it, and how to get there” in accordance with Section 2 (1) Wiss Zeit VG. fixed term. The possibility of doctoral studies is given.

The Kassel Institute for Sustainability is a new interdisciplinary center in the field of sustainability transformation with a unique four-fold focus on nature, technology, culture, and society. The center aims to become a significant player in developing options to inspire and enable social transformations as per the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), through scholarly research, effective networking, and dedicated teaching.

The Faculty of Humanities and Cultural Studies of the University of Kassel is a broad-based, diverse teaching, research, and educational unit that is characterized by a richness of conventional and unconventional topics. It welcomes inter- and transdisciplinarity within its doctoral programs, lectures, research projects, and science-society partnerships.

This Ph D position is linked to the ERC funded project (Our sustainab Le futur E, the Valu Es that d Rive it, and how to get there) led by Prof. Horcea-Milcu. The vision of the project is to reframe knowledge production for sustainability transformation, and to bridge knowledge, people, and action. It seeks to develop and apply the theory and practice of how to conduct research that purposefully supports sustainability transformation, with a special focus on how to activate sustainability-aligned values for sustainability transformation(s). This Ph D position is starting together with a team of new Ph D candidates, each focusing on different case studies. We are therefore a growing team exchanging with a large network including, for example, research groups at the Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science, Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis (Karlsruhe), Institute of Environmental Planning (Hannover), Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development (Utrecht).

Tasks:

• Scientific collaboration in the above-mentioned project with a focus on:
• The role of sustainability initiatives in sustainability transformation
• Place-based assessment of sustainability initiatives
• Implementation of transformative methods within the frame of a transdisciplinary transformative case study in a municipality in Romania, with a special focus on the role of values as leverage points for sustainability transformation and the inner dimensions of sustainability transformations

Requirements:

• Completed academic university degree with good to very good results in sustainability sciences or in sustainability-oriented social sciences, human geography or cultural sciences. The required degree must be available by the recruitment date at the latest
• Oral and written proficiency in English
• Romanian language competency is a requirement for this position

Advantageous:

• Previous experience in working with grassroots movements, community-based initiative or non-governmental organizations
• Published work
• Willingness to work in an international and transdisciplinary team

Please attach the following documents (as a single merged pdf file) to the application:

• Curriculum vitae with publication(s)
• Letter of application describing your research interests and your motivation for this position

The successful applicant will be supported to develop academic qualifications.

The research will be led by Prof. Dr. Andra-Ioana Horcea-Milcu at the University of Kassel in Germany.

For all positions and general information, please email andra.milcu(at)uni-kassel.de

In the event of any differences between the German and English versions of this call for application, the German wording is legally binding.

Our Offer:
As an employee of the University of Kassel

• you will be offered an interesting and diverse range of tasks within the framework of a modern and ambitious university,
• you will be part of an interdisciplinary team with a good and collegial working atmosphere,
• you will have the opportunity to participate in professional and interdisciplinary further education measures,
• is your workplace with good connections to public transport, which you can currently use free of charge.

In addition, you will benefit from the advantages of employment in the public service such as:

• an additional company pension (VBL),
• an optional child supplement in accordance with TV-Hessen, a family-friendly university (including childcare for emergencies),
• an annual bonus
• an entitlement to capital-accumulation benefits,
• a promotion of voluntary commitment,
• low-cost participation in university sports and a full range of fitness activities as part of Unifit, as well as workplace health management

You can find more jobs at stellen.uni-kassel.de

Please send your application with the usual informative documents, stating the reference number in the subject line, via the online form. We have compiled further information for you in our .

In exceptional cases, we will also accept your application documents in paper form addressed to: The President of the University of Kassel, 34109 Kassel, Germany, or via mail to , stating the reference number.

In the case of postal applications, please submit only copies of your documents (no folders), as these cannot be returned. All documents will be destroyed after completion of the selection process in compliance with data protection regulations.

The protection of your personal information is very important to us, so we will handle your personal information with care. By your application, you allow us the storage and use in the sense of the Hessian Data Protection and Freedom of Information Act. You can object to this at any time. Your personal data will be deleted.

Information according to Art. 13 DSGVO for the application process at the University of Kassel can be found at:

Information and FAQ about applying for a job offer:
The University of Kassel is very interested in the professional satisfaction of its employees. It is distinguished as a family-friendly university and, in the interests of equal opportunities, strives to offer everyone the same opportunities for development and to counteract existing disadvantages. It promotes the Family Welcome Service and also the Dual Career Service for positions that are scientifically and academically filled. One of the strategic goals of the University of Kassel is to significantly increase the proportion of women in research and teaching. Applications from women are therefore particularly welcome. Seriously handicapped and equivalent applicants are given preference if they have the same suitability, qualifications and professional performance. Full-time positions are generally divisible (except when filling civil servant positions). Applications indicating the Position Number, which may be in digital form, should be sent to the President of the University of Kassel, 34109 Kassel, Germany quoting the applicable reference number.