At the Junior Professorship of Sociology, esp. Work & Health, at the University of Bamberg, a position is
available from 1 January 2027 as a
Postdoctoral Researcher (m/f/d)
(100% of regular working hours; pay grade E13 TV-L)
within the ERC Starting Grant project
“Fields of Education as New Drivers of Health Inequalities (FIELDS)”
The position is fixed-term for five years.
Project description:
The project FIELDS is funded by the European Research Council (ERC Starting Grant) and investigates
the relationship between fields of education, such as study majors and vocational training programmes,
and physical and mental health over the life course. Moving beyond the well-established educational
gradient in health, the project examines how educational fields contribute to health inequalities within
educational levels.
FIELDS uses longitudinal data from six major household panel studies from Germany (SOEP), the
United States (PSID), the Netherlands (LISS), Switzerland (SHP), South Korea (KLIPS), and Australia
(HILDA), covering more than 2.3 million observations. A core component of the work responsibilities is
the harmonisation of these data and their analysis using advanced longitudinal methods. The postdoc will
also co-supervise two doctoral researchers studying mechanisms linking educational fields to health
through labour market outcomes, health behaviours, and social capital.
Your responsibilities
The postdoctoral researcher will take a leading role in the scientific implementation and management of
the project. Responsibilities include:
- Preparing and harmonising data across the six panel surveys, including measures of education,
physical and mental health, background characteristics, and relevant mediating factors
- Planning and conducting longitudinal and cross-country analyses using advanced quantitative
methods (e.g. random- and fixed-effects regression, matching approaches, time-to-event analyses)
- Co-supervising two doctoral researchers and two student assistants
- Preparing and publishing research manuscripts in leading international peer-reviewed journals
- Presenting project findings at international conferences
- Supporting the PI in the scientific coordination and management of the project
Requirements:
- A university degree (Master’s, university diploma, state examination or equivalent) as well as a
relevant doctoral degree in a social or health science discipline (e.g. sociology, public health,
epidemiology, demography, economics)
- A strong research background at the intersection of social sciences and health (e.g. social
inequalities in health, life course epidemiology, social determinants of health)
- Excellent knowledge of quantitative methods and substantial experience in preparing and analysing
longitudinal or panel data
- Very good programming skills in Stata or R; experience with Stata is particularly welcome
- A track record of publications in international peer-reviewed journals
- Very good scientific writing and English language skills; German language skills are an advantage
but not required
- Ability to work independently and systematically, combined with strong communication and
teamwork skills
- Desirable: Experience with international data harmonisation and cross-country comparative
analyses
The position offers an excellent opportunity to further develop an independent academic profile, including
opportunities for international collaboration, research visits, and methodological training. Bamberg is one
of Germany’s leading locations for sociology, with a broad research profile spanning education, labour
markets, the life course, and social inequality. The University offers a particularly strong research
environment through its links with the Leibniz Institute for Educational Trajectories (LIfBi), home of the
National Educational Panel Study (NEPS), the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), and the Federal
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA).
The position is based in Bamberg and requires regular on-site presence. Where compatible with project
responsibilities, part of the work may be carried out remotely. Continued employment beyond the ERC
project may be possible, subject to funding availability.
General information
The University of Bamberg is committed to increasing the proportion of women in research and teaching
and therefore strongly encourages applications from suitably qualified women. Applicants with disabilities
(m/f/d) will be given preference where qualifications are otherwise essentially equal. The University of
Bamberg has been certified as a family-friendly university by the Hertie Foundation and is particularly
committed to supporting the compatibility of family and working life.
Application
Please submit your application in German or English as a single PDF, including a cover letter,
curriculum vitae, publication list, relevant degree certificates, and, if applicable, one selected publication,
to the secretariat of the Junior Professorship (Mr. Harald Waschka, sekretariat.sozges@uni-bamberg.de).
For further information, please contact Jun.-Prof. Dr. Marvin Reuter.
Application deadline: 30 October 2026
Contact
Jun.-Prof. Dr. Marvin Reuter
Junior Professorship of Sociology, esp. Work and Health
University of Bamberg
Feldkirchenstr. 21, 96045 Bamberg, Germany
Phone: +49 951 863-3076
Website: https://www.uni-bamberg.de/sozges/
Email: marvin.reuter@uni-bamberg.de
Um dich für diesen Job zu bewerben, besuche bitte www.uni-bamberg.de.