The University of Bremen, within the working group “International Relations with a focus on Global Resource Politics" at the Institute of Intercultural and International Studies (InIIS and the Institute of Political Science in Faculty 8 “Social Sciences”, is seeking to fill a position for a

Research Associate (f/m/d) 

German Salary scale 13 TV-L

The position is to be filled at 65% of the regular weekly working hours (25.48 hours/week) for the duration of 3 years.

The applicable time limit for academic qualification is regulated by § 2 para. 1 WissZeitVG (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz). Accordingly, your application can be considered if you still have the corresponding number of qualification periods in accordance with Section 2 (1) WissZeitVG.

Job description

We are seeking a Research Associate with a strong interest in global resource politics and/or Chinese foreign policy and the political economy of China.

Your tasks:

• Scientific services in teaching to the extent of 2,6 SWS, including imparting specialist knowledge and practical skills as well as instruction in the application of scientific methods in the Bachelor's degree programme to the extent of the applicable LVNV, teaching export (= subject-specific teaching for other teaching units), in addition:
  • Preparation of teaching materials
  • Undergraduate theses supervision
• Scientific services in research, collaboration in research projects
  • in the field of global resource politics
  • in the field of China’s foreign relations
  • in the field of the political economy of China
  • Participation in research colloquia
• Independent research leading to the completion of a doctoral degree
• Other university tasks, such as participation in academic self-administration

Requirements:

• A completed academic degree (Master's degree, university diploma, Magister, state examination) in political science, international relations, regional studies or a comparable degree programme
• An interest in issues relating to the People’s Republic of China and/or global resource politics (to be stated in the cover letter and to be proven e.g. by academic achievements, stays abroad, internships, language certificates, etc.),
• Intention to do a doctorate in political science on a topic of international relations (e.g. resource policy, energy policy, climate policy with or without a focus on China),
• Independence and ability to work in a team,
• Proficiency in written and spoken German and English (working languages are German and English).

Knowledge of Chinese language is desired.

Our offer:

• Opportunity to gain academic qualifications;
• Open and appreciative working atmosphere;
• Annual special payment (‘Christmas bonus’), regular salary increases in line with collective agreements and additional public service pension scheme (VBL)
• A crisis-proof, interesting and varied workplace in a cosmopolitan university
• 30 days' holiday per calendar year
• A diverse, future-oriented and open corporate culture
• The opportunity for further and advanced training, in particular university didactic training.
• Compatibility of family and career through flexible working hours (flexitime) and the option of mobile working (subject to the general conditions)
• Free social and family counselling services
• Active company health management including the option of discounts at local sports clubs or for gyms and swimming pools (EGYM WELLPASS)
• The option of using a job ticket for local public transport
• Numerous sports and cultural activities
• Varied catering options in the Studierendenwerk canteens

Open to unconventional approaches in research and teaching, the University of Bremen has retained its character as a place of short distances for people and ideas since it was founded 50 years ago. With a broad range of subjects, we combine exceptional performance with great potential for innovation. As an ambitious research university, we stand for the approach of research-based learning and a strong focus on interdisciplinarity. We actively shape scientific cooperation worldwide in a spirit of partnership. Today, around 23,000 people learn, teach, research and work on our international campus. In research and teaching, administration and operations, we are firmly committed to the goals of sustainability, climate justice and climate neutrality. Our Bremen spirit is expressed in the courage to try new things, in supportive cooperation and in respect and appreciation for one another. With our study and research profile and as part of the European YUFE network, we assume social responsibility in the region, in Europe and the world.

The university is family-friendly, diverse and sees itself as an international university. We therefore welcome all applicants regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity.

The University of Bremen intends to increase the proportion of female employees in academia, which is why women are expressly encouraged to apply. In the case of equal qualifications, women will be given priority, unless reasons relating to the person of a competitor prevail.

Disabled applicants will be given priority if their professional and personal qualifications are essentially the same.

For general questions about the personnel selection procedure and for questions about the content of the advertised position, please contact: Prof. Dr. Wiebke Rabe (secretary's office Ms. Henze: n.henze@uni-bremen.de).

Please send your complete and convincing application with the following documents: 

• Cover letter (including a reference to the use of artificial intelligence in the preparation of the application documents at the end of the cover letter),
• Curriculum vitae,
• Copy of university degree certificates,
• Letter of motivation for the doctoral project (400-500 words: topic, reasons for choosing the topic, reasons for choosing the University of Bremen),
• List of courses taught to date, list of publications if applicable,
• and contact details of two reference persons.

Please send your application with your complete and informative documents, quoting the reference number A175-25, by 02.07.2025 as a PDF file by unencrypted electronic mail to: fb08.bewerbung@uni-bremen.de

or by regular mail to:

Universität Bremen
Fachbereich 08 - Sozialwissenschaften
Fachbereichsverwaltung - Kennziffer A175-25
Postfach 330 440
28334 Bremen

We would like to point out that no photos are to be attached to the application documents.

We kindly ask you to send us only copies (no portfolios) of your application documents, as we cannot return them. Once the selection process has been completed, your application documents will be stored in accordance with legal requirements and then destroyed.

Any costs for the application process cannot be reimbursed.

Applications can be submitted in German or English.