Nicolas W. Jager

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] .