Postdoc Position in European Human Rights Studies

About the role

The Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) seeks a postdoctoral researcher to join a collaborative project on migrant and democratic rights. Working closely with co‑principal investigators from FAU and the University of Oxford, the researcher will be based at FAU.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct independent and collaborative research on the intersection of migrant rights and democratic rights across six jurisdictions.
• Map legal practice communities working on migrant and democratic rights.
• Develop a preliminary research matrix to examine how these rights interact in different country contexts.
• Co‑organise three practitioner workshops.
• Carry out expert research interviews for the project.

Required profile

• Completed PhD (thesis submitted by the start date) with a strong focus on migration and/or democracy in human‑rights studies.
• Experience in legal practice or working with practitioners.
• Track record of publishing academic work in English.
• Knowledge of migrant or democratic rights in at least one of the case studies (Denmark, Germany, Greece, Poland, Turkey, UK).
• Strong understanding of European and international standards at the migration‑democracy nexus.
• Training in or experience with socio‑legal research methods.

Required skills

What we offer

• Regular promotion and salary progression according to TV‑L or BayBesG, plus an annual bonus.
• 30 days of annual leave plus additional free days on December 24 and 31.
• Occupational pension and asset‑accumulation savings scheme.
• Family‑friendly environment with childcare options and flexible working hours.
• Wide range of training courses and professional development opportunities.