Leibniz Institute for Research on Society and Space (IRS), Erkner

Founded in 1991, the University of Potsdam has firmly established itself in the scientific landscape and has become an outstanding economic factor and development engine for the region. It has a high level of third-party funding, has won several awards for teaching, and has a service-oriented administration and has received several awards for being family-friendly. Around 20,000 students and 3,000 employees work at three locations - Am Neuen Palais, Griebnitzsee and Golm - at one of the most beautifully situated academic institutions in Germany.

The Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, Department of Political and Administrative Sciences at the University of Potsdam invites applications for a joint professorship under the Jülich Model with the Leibniz Institute for Research on Society and Space (IRS) to be filled as soon as possible:

The Leibniz Institute for Research on Society and Space (IRS) and the University of Potsdam intend to expand their collaboration and thus offer innovation-promoting research and working conditions for professors, university and non-university researchers, and students.

At the IRS, the applicant will head the interdisciplinary research area "Policy and Planning” with its current two research groups "Urban Development Policies” and "Urban Sustainability Transformations”. In addition, the applicant is expected to establish his/her own research group within this research area and to contribute to the strategic development of the institute as part of the management team. The candidate's competences should be compatible with and complementary to the research conducted at the IRS.

At the University of Potsdam, compatibility with the research focus areas of the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Potsdam, in particular with the emerging fields of "Resilience of Institutions and Organizations” and "Digital Transformation of Socio-Technical Ecosystems” would be particularly welcome.

The successful applicant has completed a doctorate in political and/or administrative sciences or a related spatial social science with outstanding results and has an excellent international track record in the fields of political negotiations in the context of transformation and planning of the social and spatial development of cities and regions, as evidenced by contributions to international peer-reviewed journals. The successful candidate has a repertoire of innovative methods at his or her disposal.

Outstanding commitment to university teaching in the field of political and administrative science programs is required. Management experience in (non-)university research institutions, interest in social scientific spatial concepts and openness to interdisciplinary cooperation would be particularly welcome. Furthermore, the applicant should have a good international academic network and proven skills in knowledge transfer and in communication and cooperation with non-academic partners.

If you have any questions, please contact Prof. Dr. Oliver Ibert (oliver.ibert(at)leibniz-irs.de) or Prof. Dr. Thomas Sommerer (thomas.sommerer(at)uni-potsdam.de).

The joint appointment will be implemented according to the "Jülich Model” with a teaching obligation at the University of Potsdam (usually 2 hours per week per semester) in accordance with the Brandenburg Higher Education Act (BbgHG).

The hiring process is subject to the requirements set forth in Section 43 subsection 1 sentence 1 no. 1 – 3 and no. 4 letters a and c of the BbgHG. The appointment procedure is conducted in accordance with Section 42 BbgHG.

The University of Potsdam and the IRS value diversity and thus pursue the goals of equal opportunities and diversity in accordance with the general principle of equal treatment. One of the UP’s and IRS’s strategic goals is to significantly increase the proportion of women in research and teaching. Therefore, the UP and the IRS expressly invite applications from qualified female scientists. People with a severe disability will be given preference if they are equally qualified. Periods of time taken for parental leave or caregiving are taken into account when assessing applicants’ academic careers. The implementation of equality and diversity standards in the respective field of work is expected.

We also offer dual career support and coaching for newly appointed professors.

Please submit your application, with the relevant documentation (CV, list of publications, list of research projects (with specification of own role), list of courses, research and teaching concept, certificates and diplomas), via email to ausschreibungen(at)uni-potsdam.de by February 28, 2026. Further information is available online at https://www.uni-potsdam.de/berufungen.

According to the Civil Servants Act of the State of Brandenburg ("Landesbeamtengesetz”), an inquiry must be made to the Domestic Intelligence Service prior to the completion of the hiring and appointment as a civil servant in the state of Brandenburg. Information on the lawfulness and the procedure is available here.