Postdoctoral researcher in Social Sciences

The University | About us...

The University of Luxembourg is an international research university with a distinctly multilingual and interdisciplinary character. The University was founded in 2003 and counts more than 6,700 students and more than 2,000 employees from around the world. The University's faculties and interdisciplinary centres focus on research in the areas of Computer Science and ICT Security, Materials Science, European and International Law, Finance and Financial Innovation, Education, Contemporary and Digital History. In addition, the University focuses on cross-disciplinary research in the areas of Data Modelling and Simulation as well as Health and System Biomedicine. Times Higher Education ranks the University of Luxembourg #3 worldwide for its "international outlook," #20 in the Young University Ranking 2021 and among the top 250 universities worldwide.

The Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences (FHSE) brings together expertise from the humanities, linguistics, cognitive sciences, social and educational sciences. People from across 20 disciplines are working within the Faculty. Along with the disciplinary approach a very ambitious interdisciplinary research culture has been developed.

The faculty's research and teaching focuses on social, economic, political and educational issues with the common goal of contributing to an inclusive, open and resourceful society. The FHSE offers six Bachelor and twenty Master degrees and a doctoral school providing students with the necessary knowledge and high-qualified skills to succeed in their future career.

Your Role...

As part of the FNR-funded project SEaSons (Sustainability, Environmental Knowledge and Social Imaginations of Climate Futures), we are looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Luxembourg (Campus Belval).

The objective of the SEaSons project is to investigate how different occupational groups imagine sustainable futures. In European latitudes, our assumption is that climate issues are experienced through the seasons and their relevance for food, transport, housing and energy. The study sets out with a qualitative study with a group of people we call 'technical experts', de facto stewards of sustainable climate action. At the same time their knowledge is - to varying degrees - marginal in the common discourses on transition politics and behavioral change. To reconstruct this knowledge, we will employ an innovative visual methodology combined with an interview methodology. Using pictures which refer to the everyday practices of our technical experts will allow us to bring into appearance their tacit and technical knowledge. The qualitative study will be complemented by a quantitative survey. The research has three goals: first, it seeks to identify the knowledge of technical experts, potential barriers to and drivers of sustainable action. Secondly, we want to develop participatory tools to allow different publics to engage with knowledge of sustainability. Thirdly, the study contributes to sociological research on the perceptions of the future concerning climate issues.

Responsibilities:

• Collaboration in the various empirical, mainly qualitative research activities
• Creation of publications
• Participation in scientific conferences
• Participation in teaching (to a small extent) is possible if interested
• Co-supervision of doctoral students

Project group: Prof. Dr. Boris Traue, Dr. Mathias Blanc & Prof. Dr. Robin Samuel

What we expect from you…

• Doctorate in a social sciences discipline
• Extensive empirical research experience with qualitative methods and interest in visual methodologies
• Experience in sustainability studies and participatory methods of advantage
• Openness to a mixed-method approach
• Very good knowledge of German OR French (written and oral), very good knowledge of English Luxembourgish is an advantage

What we offer…

• An interesting job with stimulating, challenging activities in a committed team
• A motivating environment in which research is understood as teamwork
• The opportunity to work independently and gain further international experience
• International networking & cooperation in various research networks

How to apply...

Applications should include:

• Letter of motivation
• Curriculum vitae
• Copies of diplomas and names of two referees
• Description of research work already carried out
• List of publications
• A sample article or book chapter

We ensure a full consideration for applications received by 21 April 2024. Applications by email will not be considered.

The University of Luxembourg embraces inclusion and diversity as key values. We are fully committed to removing any discriminatory barrier related to gender, and not only, in recruitment and career progression of our staff.

General information:

• Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract 36 Month
• Start date: 1 June 2024 (or by arrangement)
• Work Hours: Full Time 40.0 Hours per Week
• Location: Belval
• Job Reference: UOL06378

The yearly gross salary for every Postdoctoral Researcher at the UL is EUR 83099 (full time)