The Chair of Sociology – Migration, Diversity and Social Cohesion, part of the Institute of Sociology in Department 06 at the University of Münster, Germany, is seeking to fill the position of a
Doctoral Research Associate (Wissenschaftliche*r Mitarbeiter*in, salary level E 13 TV-L)
at the earliest possible date. We are offering a fixed-term part-time position (65%) for 3 years. Full-time employees are required to teach 4 hours per week during the semester. The Chair of Soziologie – Migration, Diversität und gesellschaftlicher Zusammenhalt focuses on questions of democracy and participation in societies shaped by migration and diversity, on migration and spatial (im)mobility, as well as boundary-processes and discrimination in diverse societies. It provides an ideal environment for conducting socially relevant empirical research.
Your tasks:
- This position is tied to working towards a doctorate
- Supporting research activities and teaching
- Contributing to departmental administration
- Organizing academic events
Our expectations:
- A graduate degree in social sciences (i.e. German Diplom and / or master’s degree) is required.
- Good command of written and spoken English is advantageous.
- Good knowledge of quantitative research methods and/or qualitative methods
- A respectful and positive approach to working with colleagues and students
Desirable Additional Qualifications:
- Basic knowledge of one or more of the following topics, or a willingness and interest in familiarizing yourself with these topics: social conflicts and cohesion in societies shaped by migration and diversity; spatial mobility and diversity (intra-, inter-, or transnational); discrimination and social or spatial boundaries/borders.
- Basic knowledge of the analysis of spatial dimensions within the aforementioned subject areas (e.g., local or international comparative, translocal or transnational perspectives) or a willingness and interest in familiarizing oneself with spatial research questions and approaches.
- Interest in and openness to qualitative or quantitative methods, respectively as well as mixed methods
- German language skills or a willingness to learn German
Advantages for you:
- Engaging work in a respectful and open academic environment.
- Our broad range of diverse work-time models offers great flexibility.
- If you have family members or young children in your care, our Family Service Office offers concrete support to help you balance your private and professional responsibilities.
- As an educational institution, we are deeply committed to offering occupational training and continuing education opportunities tailored to your individual needs.
- From A – Z, Aikido to Zumba, our sport and health programmes ensure a healthy work-life balance.
- As a university employee, you are entitled to numerous benefits afforded to public servants, e.g. an attractive company pension scheme (VBL), an annual end-of-year bonus and a position that is shielded from economic fluctuations.
The University of Münster strongly supports equal opportunity and diversity. We welcome all applicants regardless of sex, nationality, ethnic or social background, religion or worldview, disability, age, sexual orientation or gender identity. We are committed to creating family-friendly working conditions.
We actively encourage applications by women. Women with equivalent qualifications and academic achievements will be preferentially considered unless these are outweighed by reasons which necessitate the selection of another candidate.
If you have any questions, please contact Prof. Dr. Nihad El-Kayed at: n.el-kayed@uni-muenster.de
Interested? We look forward to receiving your application by 2026-05-03. Please send a cover letter, your CV, your academic transcripts, and a project outline for your planned dissertation research (max. 3 pages) in the subject areas mentioned above.
Important: Your application must be submitted as a single PDF file to the Institute of Sociology at the University of Münster: soziologie@uni-muenster.de. Please note that we cannot consider other file formats.
Universität Münster
Institut für Soziologie
Lehrstuhl für Migration, Diversität und gesellschaftlicher Zusammenhalt
Prof. Dr. Nihad El-Kayed
Scharnhorststr. 121
48161 Münster
Reference number: 2026_04_03
