[Paid] Research Associate in International and European Law, Behavioural Science and Sustainable Development at University of Hamburg, Germany (2 posts, EGR. 13 TV-L)
Institute of Law and Economics, Faculty of Law, University of Hamburg.About the positions
The Faculty of Law at the University of Hamburg is recruiting two Research Associates at its Institute of Law and Economics, under reference number 187. The posts are advertised under section 28 subsection 1 of the Hamburg Higher Education Act, start as soon as possible, and run for a fixed term of three years under the German academic fixed-term contract law.
Both posts are part-time at 50 per cent of standard weekly working hours, paid on salary group EGR. 13 TV-L. The University of Hamburg is a University of Excellence and the Institute of Law and Economics is one of the longest-established law and economics centres in Europe, hosting the European Master in Law and Economics and the EDLE doctoral programme.
The research team and the agenda
The successful candidates join an international and interdisciplinary team led by Prof. Dr. Eva van der Zee LL.M. The team's agenda sits in international and European law, with a particular focus on sustainable development and climate change, and it deliberately draws in perspectives from the behavioural sciences, including behavioural law and economics, sociology, political science and psychology.
What the job involves
Research associates at Hamburg are expected primarily to teach and to conduct research.
- Teaching load of 2.25 LVS, covering International and European Law and/or Law and Economics
- Research within the team's agenda, plus substantive and organisational support for its projects
- At least one-third of set working hours is reserved for the associate's own academic work, which is the time in which the doctoral dissertation is written
The advertisement is explicit that the post carries the opportunity to pursue further academic qualifications, in particular a doctorate.
Who can apply, and the language question
German fluency is not mandatory. The advertisement states that excellent command of English, in academic writing and in presenting, is essential, and that excellent command of German is an advantage. There is also no nationality or residency condition in the advertisement, so an applicant from India can apply on the same terms as anyone else. A German work visa would of course be needed to take the post up.
On qualifications, the advertisement asks for a university degree in a relevant field, and describes the ideal candidate as holding a degree in international law, European law, law and economics or a related legal discipline, meaning the German First State Examination in Law, an LL.M. or an equivalent. An interdisciplinary background in behavioural law and economics, sociology, political science or psychology is highly desirable. Candidates whose primary background is in the social sciences are encouraged to apply if they have a demonstrable affinity with legal or regulatory issues.
Candidates are expected to have a strong ambition to write a doctoral dissertation and an interest in research on sustainable development and climate change. Publishing in international peer-reviewed journals, or organising workshops and conferences, counts as an advantage.
Pay and what the university offers
Pay is on salary group EGR. 13 TV-L, the collectively agreed German public-sector scale, at 50 per cent of standard weekly hours. Alongside the salary the university lists reliable remuneration based on wage agreements, continuing education opportunities, university pensions, flexible working hours, work-life balance support, health management including the EGYM Wellpass, educational leave, and 30 days of annual leave.
The university states that it welcomes applications regardless of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic or social background, age, religion or belief, disability or chronic illness, and that severely disabled applicants receive preference over equally qualified non-disabled applicants. The advertisement also notes that the person selected will be subject to a background check under section 34a of the Hamburg security clearance act.
How to apply
Applications are accepted only through the university's online application form, and must be submitted by 17 August 2026. Three documents are required:
- Cover letter
- CV
- Copies of degree certificates
Quote reference number 187. If the online form gives technical trouble, the university asks applicants to write to bewerbungen@uni-hamburg.de.