Technische Universität Braunschweig is one of Germany’s leading institutes of technology and offers an inspiring work environment with a wide range of research and teaching opportunities in state-of-the-art facilities. The 3,800 members of our academic, technical and administrative staff – including more than 400 international scientific staff – work together to ensure that our university successfully fulfils its mission of providing excellent teaching for our approximately 15,000 students and 100 trainees.

We focus our research on mobility, metrology, engineering for health, and the future city. Our core disciplines include a comprehensive engineering division and a strong natural sciences division, closely linked with business sciences, social sciences, educational sciences, and the humanities.

Our university is located at the heart of one of Europe’s most research-intensive regions. We cooperate closely with the more than 20 renowned research institutions in our vicinity and our network extends to our partner universities in Germany and all over the world, with whom we maintain strong relationships.

Carl-Friedrich-Gauß-Fakultät
Institute for Sociology

We offer a

W1 Juniorprofessorship in Sociology, specializing in Social Structure, Data and Methods with tenure track W2

The appointment is for the earliest possible date.

Carl-Friedrich-Gauß-Fakultät is announcing five interrelated assistant professorships in the field of data science: Cyber Security (Computer Science), Civil Law, Technology and Mobility Law (Business Science), Data Science in Business and Finance (Business Science), Sociology, specializing in Social Structure, Data and Methods (Social Sciences), and Numerical Mathematics (Mathematics). The goal is to promote research and teaching through synergies in legal, economic, social, security-related, and mathematical issues in the field of data science

Your responsibilities

The professorship in Sociology is based at the Institute of Sociology.

The profile of the position combines the analysis of social structures with innovative methods of empirical social research and modern data analysis. Within the field of social structure analysis, specialization is expected in social stratification as well as in at least two of the following fields:

• Life course and social mobility
• Education
• Family
• Migration

To ensure alignment with the university’s research priorities in the areas of “Stadt der Zukunft [City of the Future]” and/or “Mobilität [Mobility]” a focus on socio-spatial differences or effects (through regional/international comparisons) should also be evident.

In the field of methods and data analysis, the focus should primarily be on quantitative-empirical methodology and computational social science, utilizing relevant analytical software (e.g., R or Python). Candidates should possess methodological expertise in the analysis of complex data structures (e.g., panel data, multilevel data, network data). Furthermore, experience in leveraging novel data types (e.g., digital traces, text-as-data, administrative data) and processing big data is expected.

In terms of teaching, the professorship is primarily involved in the Bachelor’s program in “Social Sciences” as well as the Master’s programs in “Social Sciences” and “Organisation, Governance, Bildung”. During the W1 phase, teaching focuses on modules in social structure analysis and on quantitatively oriented methodology. Upon successful tenure, the scope of responsibilities expands to include the comprehensive coordination of methods training, which also encompasses the qualitative domain. In addition to teaching, the professor is expected to supervise a reasonable number of theses and to actively participate in academic self-governance.

The candidate has an excellent, broad-based research profile with international visibility, as evidenced by a track record of successful publications. In addition, the candidate is expected to have initial experience in applying for or conducting externally funded projects, as well as a strong openness to interdisciplinary collaboration and participation in research networks. The professorship should be characterized by a high degree of innovation in both substance and methodology and develop an independent, sustainable research profile.

The successful candidate (f/m/d) is expected to be committed to the university’s strategic goals and to actively shape its holistic development (). In addition to the classic service areas of a university (research, teaching and studies, transfer, governance and administration), this applies in particular to digitalisation, internationalisation, equality and diversity as well as knowledge exchange.

Our expectations

Essential selection criteria

• An academically excellent and broad research profile, demonstrated by a track record of successful publications (particularly in relevant scientific journals)
• Alignment of the research profile with the research priorities outlined above and evidence of a high degree of innovation
• Teaching experience in the fields of social structure, data and methods and very good to good evaluation results
• Initial experience in applying for or conducting externally funded projects
• Experience and willingness to participate in academic self-governance
• Experience in the transfer of research results
• Ability to collaborate, leadership skills, and management capabilities
• International orientation (e.g., international publications, international experience/networks, very good command of the English language, teaching in English)
• Active participation in the research focus areas “Mobility” or “City of the Future” at TU Braunschweig, as well as in the interdisciplinary cross-cutting theme of the Carl-Friedrich-Gauß Faculty, “Data Science”
• Involvement in bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, as well as the supervision of theses

Excellent command of the English language, as well as the ability and willingness to teach courses in English are a prerequisite. International research and teaching experience is desirable.

Individual career decisions and career breaks due to parental/family care leave affecting research output will be taken into account by the appointment committee.

Requirements, § 30 NHG

• A degree in a relevant field
• Pedagogical aptitude
• Special qualification for in-depth independent scientific work, as a rule proven by an above-average doctorate

In accordance with Section 5 of the Tenure-Track Regulations of the Technische Universität Braunschweig, early-career researchers may be appointed to a tenure-track professorship. An early-career researcher is defined as someone who, having completed their doctoral degree, has been engaged in academic work for no more than four years at the time of appointment.

Subject to fulfilment of the general requirements under civil service law, the appointment will be on a fixed-term basis, initially for a period of three years. Following a successful interim evaluation in accordance with Section 30 (4), second sentence, of the NHG, the professorship will be extended for a further three years. Subject to a successful interim evaluation in accordance with Section 30(4), second sentence, of the NHG, the professorship will be extended for a further three years. If the outcome of the procedure set out in the Tenure-Track Regulations of the Technische Universität Braunschweig is positive, and provided the other statutory requirements are met, the holder will be appointed to a permanent professorship in salary grade W2 of the NBesO without a further vacancy notice.

Notes

Technische Universität Braunschweig makes personnel decisions on the basis of suitability, ability and professional performance.

Our aim is to increase the share of women in academic positions. Therefore, we particularly welcome applications from women and will give preference to female candidates with equivalent qualifications. People with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply and, if equally qualified, will be given preference in the appointment process.

Technische Universität Braunschweig is certified as a family-friendly university. We are committed to facilitating a healthy and productive work-life balance and offer a dual career service as well as support for newly appointed staff. Our Family Office provides advice on all issues relating to family, childcare, and caring for relatives. Our “Prof.-Programm” offers exclusive status-related exchange and consulting formats, in particular to newly appointed professors.

Professional and Personnel Development promotes the professional development of all employees through a wide range of courses and activities.

The university actively endorses equal opportunities and diversity and promotes diverse perspectives as essential in contributing to the university’s success in research, teaching, transfer and administration.

We particularly invite applications from international candidates (f/m/d). German language skills are not a prerequisite. However, the successful candidate is expected to acquire sufficient language skills to perform teaching and administrative duties in German within one year of appointment.

Even though this is a full-time position, a part-time appointment may be possible upon request.

Applicants (f/m/d) who are 50 years or older at the time the appointment commences and who have not acquired permanent civil servant status (Beamtenverhältnis auf Lebenszeit) will be employed with employee status (Angestelltenverhältnis).

The employment is initially for a period of three years in a temporary civil servant relationship, provided that the general service law requirements are fulfilled. In the event of a successful interim evaluation in accordance with § 30 Para. 4 S. 2 NHG, the professorship will be extended by a further three years. After a positive outcome of the procedure regulated in the tenure track regulations of the TU Braunschweig an appointment to a permanent professorship in grade W2 NBesO will be made without further advertisement.

We are looking forward to your application!

Applicants (f/m/d) are requested to attach the following documents:

• Cover letter
• Academic background (curriculum vitae)
• Academic certificates and diplomas (degrees)
• List of publications, including copies of 3 select publications
• List of externally funded projects, description of own role in these projects and own share of the funding
• Research and teaching statement
• List of courses taught and results of course evaluations
• If applicable, add proof of parental/family care leave
• If applicable, add proof of disability status.

Please submit the application, including all documents, digitally via the online portal (button underneath) of Technische Universität Braunschweig.

Deadline for application

The application deadline is 2026-08-31.

Contact

Informal enquiries about the job can be directed to

Prof. Dr. Monika Taddicken
T + 49 531 391 8960

For questions regarding legal matters and the online application process, please contact

Nicole Brückner
T + 49 531 391 4337