Research Assistant (m/w/d), EG 13 TV-H, at the Department International Relations with a focus on Latin America, at the Faculty of Social Sciences

The University of Kassel is a modern and growing University with round about 21.000 students. The university’s wide range of expertise covers subjects in the natural, applied, cultural and social sciences. At the University of Kassel, Faculty of Social Sciences, Department International Relations with a focus on Latin America, the following position is available as of 01.01.2027: Research Assistant (m/w/d), EG 13 TV-H, fixed term-position, part-time (currently 26 hours per week)

Application deadline: 08.10.2026
Date of hire: 01.01.2027
vacancy number: 39490

Part-time position with 65% of the working hours of a full-time employee. The position is initially limited in duration until December 31, 2029of the DFG-funded “PALMWORK” project, in accordance with WissZeitVG; opportunity for PhD dissertation is given.

PALMWORK examines the relationship between labor and ecology along the palm oil value chain, particularly in the areas of production (plantations and oil mills) and social reproduction. The project is designed as a qualitative comparative analysis of case studies from northeastern India, Ghana, and Colombia. It builds on research from the fields of labor regime analysis, (feminist) labor geography, environmental labor studies, and political ecology on the materiality of nature and the society-nature metabolism. The project is funded as part of the DFG Priority Program 2575, “Sustainability and Resilience of Agricultural and Food Supply Chains in Times of Multiple Crises?” It consists of three subprojects being conducted at the University of Bonn, the Freie Universität Berlin, and the University of Kassel.

Tasks:

• Scientific research, particularly by preparing a case study on Colombia
• Project organization and the planning and execution of events
• Contribution to joint publications as well as independent publications

Requirements:

• Completed course of academic study (Master degree) within the field of social or earth sciences (political science, human geography, regional studies, sociology, or a comparable field). The required degree must be available by the recruitment date at the latest.
• Willingness to conduct independent field research in Colombia
• Very good knowledge of the English language required

Advantages are:

• Practical experience in conducting independent research in Latin America
• Strong knowledge of qualitative research methods
• Proficiency in Spanish
• Strong knowledge of the project’s research area (political ecology, political economy, labour regime analysis, environmental labour studies, labour geography)
• Communication and teamwork skills
• Intercultural and diversity competence

For further information please contact Selina Hoffmann, Tel.: +49 561 804-7013.

In the event of any differences between the German and English versions of this call for application, the German wording is legally binding.

Our Offer:

As an employee of the University of Kassel you will be offered an interesting and diverse range of tasks within the framework of a modern and ambitious university, you will be part of an interdisciplinary team with a good and collegial working atmosphere, you will have the opportunity to participate in professional and interdisciplinary further education measures, is your workplace with good connections to public transport, which you can currently use free of charge.

In addition, you will benefit from the advantages of employment in the public service such as:

• an additional company pension (VBL),
• an optional child supplement in accordance with TV-Hessen,
• a family-friendly university (including childcare for emergencies),
• an annual bonus
• an entitlement to capital-accumulation benefits,
• a promotion of voluntary commitment,
• low-cost participation in university sports and a full range of fitness activities as part of Unifit, as well as workplace health management

Application:

Please send your application with the usual informative documents, stating the reference number in the subject line, via the online form. We have compiled further information for you in our FAQ . In exceptional cases, we will also accept your application documents in paper form addressed to: The President of the University of Kassel, 34109 Kassel, Germany, or via mail to bewerbungen[at]uni-kassel.de , stating the reference number.

In the case of postal applications, please submit only copies of your documents (no folders), as these cannot be returned. All documents will be destroyed after completion of the selection process in compliance with data protection regulations.

The protection of your personal information is very important to us, so we will handle your personal information with care. By your application, you allow us the storage and use in the sense of the Hessian Data Protection and Freedom of Information Act. You can object to this at any time. Your personal data will be deleted.

The University of Kassel is very interested in the professional satisfaction of its employees. It is distinguished as a family-friendly university and, in the interests of equal opportunities, strives to offer everyone the same opportunities for development and to counteract existing disadvantages. It promotes the Family Welcome Service and also the Dual Career Service for positions that are scientifically and academically filled. One of the strategic goals of the University of Kassel is to significantly increase the proportion of women in research and teaching. Applications from women are therefore particularly welcome. Seriously handicapped and equivalent applicants are given preference if they have the same suitability, qualifications and professional performance. Full-time positions are generally divisible (except when filling civil servant positions).

Applications indicating the Position Number, which may be in digital form, should be sent to the President of the University of Kassel, 34109 Kassel, Germany quoting the applicable reference number.