Postdoctoral Researcher and PhD Openings in Public Participation, Sustainability Governance, Democracy, Justice, and Global Comparative Research Leuphana University of Lüneburg in Germany

Leuphana University of Lüneburg is recruiting for the ERC Advanced Grant project GAPS – Global Assessment of Participation in Sustainability Governance, led by Prof. Jens Newig. The project examines public participation in sustainability governance across all world regions, asking when and how participation improves sustainability performance, strengthens democracy and legitimacy, and advances justice.

The team will build a large global case database of roughly 3,000 documented cases using an AI-assisted case-survey method with Large Language Models, combined with human quality checks and comparative analysis. The project uses methods such as regression analysis, path analysis / structural equation modelling, Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA), and causal process tracing. It also integrates country-level context such as political regime, human development, and culture.

Open positions include one postdoctoral researcher and four doctoral researchers. The postdoc focuses on the methodological and synthesis work, including AI-assisted database development, quality assurance, and theory building. The PhD topics cover sustainability performance, democracy and justice, global patterns of participation, and participation in environmental impact assessments in collaboration with TU Berlin.

Funding and duration: the postdoctoral position is 100% EG 14 TV-L for 5 years; the doctoral positions are 75% EG 13 TV-L for 4 years. The project is ERC-funded and offers research and conference travel resources. The positions start on 1 October 2026.

Eligibility highlights: the postdoc requires an excellent PhD in the social sciences or a related interdisciplinary field, with strong methods experience and publication experience in English. The doctoral positions require a strong Master’s degree or equivalent in political science, human geography, sustainability science, public administration, or a related field, plus strong interest in environmental policy, sustainability governance, public participation, democratic theory, and environmental justice. Strong English is required; German is an asset.

Application deadline: 10 August 2026. Applicants should submit a cover letter, CV, certificates/transcripts, writing samples, and referee names; PhD applicants also need a one-page PhD proposal. Applications go through the university portal and also by email as one single PDF to [email protected].