41,200 students and 7,750 employees in teaching, research and administration, all working together to shape perspectives for the future – that is the University of Münster. Embedded in the vibrant atmosphere of Münster with its high standard of living, the University’s diverse research profile and attractive study programmes draw students and researchers throughout Germany and from around the world.

The Institute of Cultural Anthropology/European Ethnology in the Faculty 8 History and Philosophy at the University of Münster, Germany, is seeking to fill the following position of a

Doctoral Research Associate (Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiterin, salary level E 13 TV-L)

commencing on 1 July 2026 to work with Elisabeth Timm (Chair of Cultural Anthropology). We are offering a part-time position (75%) for three years. Full-time employees are required to teach 4 hours per week during the semester.

Your tasks:

• Conduct a PhD project: Dissertation research in the DFG funded project “When Genes Meet the Archives: How Genealogists in Germany, Austria and Switzerland Do (Not) Work with (a)DNA“ (ethnography and qualitative interviews) (PhD program in cultural anthropology at the Department 08 History and Philosophy at the University of Münster).
• Engage in the multi-disciplinary research team of the project related DFG-PAK joint research group “Ancient DNA and Kinship: Reconsidering Relatedness across Disciplines” (with colleagues from Classical Archaeology, Johanna Fabricius, FU Berlin, and from Science & Technology Studies, Ruth Müller, TU Munich)
• Present your research at workshops and conferences.
• Work towards first own and co-authored publications.

Our expectations:

• A completed Master's degree in Anthropology or a discipline relevant for the project in question such as Contemporary History (then with proven expertise in relevant research fields like history of genetics) or History of Science or Science Studies or STS is required.
• Very good knowledge of empirical research (ethnography, qualitative interviews) is desirable.
• Very good knowledge of relevant theoretical and analytical approaches is required, especially STS and / or new kinship studies.
• Very good English language and very good German language skills are required.
• You are interested in a research project that documents and analyses popular scientific practices.
• An international/transnational research perspective is necessary.

Advantages for you:

• Open space and time for your own research.
• Our broad range of diverse work-time models offers great flexibility – also when working from home.
• 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 . 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.

Are you interested? Please submit your application as a single PDF file via email to the address listed below, with the following documents: CV, certificates, publication list (if applicable), and the names of two university lecturers for reference). Are you interested? Then we look forward to receiving your application by 2026-04-21 at:

University of Münster
Institute of Cultural Anthropology/European Ethnology
Scharnhorststraße 100
48151 Münster
Germany
E-Mail:

If you have any questions concerning this job announcement, please contact Prof. Dr. Elisabeth Timm (). (Interviews are scheduled for the weeks 18 and 19, possibly via Zoom.)

Reference number: 2026_03_15