up to seven postdoctoral fellowships
Postdoctoral Fellowships (m/f/d) – Leuphana Transformation Lab
Leuphana Transformation Lab at Leuphana University of Lüneburg invites applications for up to seven postdoctoral fellowships (duration: up to 24 months) starting April 1, 2027. Fellows will develop high-quality grant proposals in transformation research while contributing to an interdisciplinary network across five Key Subject Areas and the psychology of transformation.
Research Focus & Conceptual Streams
Proposals must align with one of three conceptual streams:
- Epistemologies of Transformation: Critical examination of how transformation is known, conceptualized, narrated, and enacted across disciplines and contexts.
- Disruption and Transformation: Analysis of disruption as a feature of contemporary globalized societies and its role in transformative processes.
- Scales and Temporalities of Transformation: Investigation of scalar and temporal frames in transformative projects.
Optional alignment with Key Subject Areas (e.g., climate futures in digital cultures, democratic resilience, sustainability transformations) or other Leuphana disciplines is welcome.
Eligibility
- PhD required at time of application (proof of successfully defended dissertation mandatory).
- Outstanding research record corresponding to the Lab’s programmatic focus.
- Early-career phase: Typically within 3 years post-PhD.
- Language: All documents must be in English (certified translations for non-English materials).
Tasks & Responsibilities
- Active participation in the Lab’s interdisciplinary work and exchange with resident researchers.
- Development of a high-quality grant proposal (e.g., for DFG, ERC, Volkswagen Foundation) within one of the three conceptual streams.
- Collaboration with Leuphana scholars and contribution to the Embracing Transformation program.
Application Requirements
Submit separate PDF files (named as specified) via the Leuphana Portal by September 30, 2026:
- Proof of PhD [surname_firstname_phdproof]
- Academic CV (no photo) + publication list [surname_firstname_cv]
- Proof of other degrees (Bachelor/Master) [surname_firstname_degree]
- Cover letter (max. 2 pages): Motivation for applying to Leuphana and the Lab [surname_firstname_coverletter]
- Research proposal (max. 3 pages):
- Understanding of and approach to transformation.
- Future research plans and grant proposal outline.
- 1-page reflection on alignment with a chosen conceptual stream (file suffix:
_epistemologies,_disruption, or_scales).
Conditions
- Fellowships last up to 24 months (April 2027–2029).
- Workspaces provided in Leuphana’s Central Building.
- Remuneration varies by career level (details: Roads to Leuphana).
- One fellowship reserved for applicants from Scottish universities (via Lower Saxony–Scotland partnership/ECAS).
Selection Process
- Starts October 2026; concludes once all positions are filled.
- International committee evaluates applications.
Diversity & Inclusion
Leuphana encourages applications from persons with disabilities (preferential consideration per German guidelines) and diverse backgrounds.
Deadline: September 30, 2026
Details & Application: Postdoctoral Fellowships – Leuphana Transformation Lab