InstitutionCluster of Excellence "Climate, Climatic Change, and Society (CLICCS)" (climate research), University of Hamburg Business School, Contested Climate Futures: Discursive Powerplay in the Media

Salary levelEGR. 13 TV-L

Start date01.01.2026, fixed until 31.12.2028 (This is a fixed-term contract in accordance with Section 2 of the academic fixed-term labor contract act [Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz, WissZeitVG]).

Application deadline15.10.2025

Scope of workfull-time position suitable for part-time

The Cluster of Excellence "Climate, Climatic Change, and Society” (CLICCS) investigates climate dynamics and climate-related social dynamics, as well as the interactions between the two. To this end, we are looking for colleagues from a wide range of disciplines, including the natural sciences as well as the social sciences. We are proud to work together in a truly integrating manner. Our partners, e.g. the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology, Helmholtz Centre Hereon or the German Climate Computing Centre are also hiring. All jobs: https://www.cliccs.uni-hamburg.de/career/jobs.html.

Your responsibilities

Duties include academic services in the project named above. Research associates may also pursue independent research and further academic qualifications. They may also pursue doctoral studies outside of working duties.

The position is located at the professorship for data science that focuses on the computational processing of unstructured data, mainly text. Our goal is to conduct holistic research in artificial intelligence: while most research in natural language processing and artificial intelligence focuses on obtaining state-of-the-art results on established benchmark data sets only, we seek to couple research on improving the effectiveness of our systems with the consideration of ethical aspects. That is, we aim to develop effective but also environmentally sustainable, fair, and inclusive solutions.

The employee will be hired within the project "Contested Climate Futures: Discursive Powerplay in the Media”, which is part of the cluster of excellence CLICCS II. The aim of this project is to investigate how different actors gain influence and shape climate narratives in the media. The project is an interdisciplinary initiative with researchers from communication studies. The present position will focus on developing next-generation lightweight AI methods to identify and analyze climate-related concepts in content—including texts, images, and videos.

Within this project, the employee is highly encouraged to conduct a Ph.D. covering fundamental research in natural language processing and artificial intelligence with a focus on one or multiple of the following topics:

• Large Language Models
• Multimodal and Multilingual AI
• Computational Argumentation
• Ethical Artificial Intelligence (Fairness, Sustainability, Inclusion, etc.)

The research should result in international top-tierpublications (conference or journal articles) in natural language processing (e.g., ACL), artificial intelligence (e.g., AAAI), and/or interdisciplinary venues. The primary supervisor of the Ph.D. candidate will be Anne Lauscher. She will be available for questions related to the position via email.

Our research group is dynamic, ambitious, and nationally as well as internationally very well connected. Diversity and the support of individuals identifying as members of marginalized groups are important to us.

Your profile

A university degree in a relevant field.

• master’s degree (or similar) in computer science, computational linguistics, linguistics, or another relevant field (e.g.,information systems, data science, etc.)
• experience with Python programming
• very good proficiency of the English language
• interest and joy in seeking creative solutions
• experience in machine learning and/or natural language processing is a plus
• publications or theses relevant to the topic of the project (e.g., computational argumentation, content analysis, etc.) are a plus

We offer

• Reliable remuneration based on wage agreements
• Continuing education opportunities
• University pensions
• Attractive location
• Flexible working hours
• Work-life balance opportunities
• Health management, EGYM Wellpass
• Educational leave
• 30 days of vacation per annum

Universität Hamburg—University of Excellence is one of the strongest research educational institutions in Germany. Our work in research, teaching, educational and knowledge exchange activities is fostering the next generation of responsible global citizens ready to tackle the global challenges facing us. Our guiding principle "Innovating and Cooperating for a Sustainable Future in a digital age” drives collaboration with academic and nonacademic partner institutions in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region and around the world. We would like to invite you to be part of our community to work with us in creating sustainable and digital change for a dynamic and pluralist society.

The University of Hamburg is committed to equity. Diversity enriches our university life, whether in our studies, research, teaching, education, or workplace. We therefore welcome all applications, regardless of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic or social background, age, religion or belief, disability, or chronic illness.

Severely disabled and disabled applicants with the same status will receive preference over equally qualified non-disabled applicants.