About us

The Institute of History and Ethics in Medicine (IHEM) is part of the School of Medicine and Health at the Technical University of Munich. At the Institute of History and Ethics in Medicine, we advance ethical practice and theory in medicine, biomedical technology, and public health, driven by the belief that embedding ethics is essential for shaping the future of healthcare, science, technology, society, and the environment. Our mission encompasses both theoretical and empirical methods to foster ethical, transparent, and interdisciplinary research, education and policy. The Institute works on an interdisciplinary basis and is highly networked both nationally and internationally.

About the position

We are looking for a 100% postdoctoral research associate beginning in Summer 2026, for a term of 2 years with the possibility of an extension. The postdoc will join the ERC-Starting Grant project team on "Participatory Algorithmic Justice: A multi-sited ethnography to advance algorithmic justice through participatory design” (PARTIALJUSTICE) to examine issues of justice and participation in artificial intelligence (AI), led by Dr. Amelia Fiske. Despite its potential, AI is known to reinforce inequalities and result in negative consequences, for example, racial or gender bias, discrimination, or surveillance. This project advances collaborative, qualitative research to better understand who and what AI harms, but also how these harms should be redressed through multi-sited ethnographic fieldwork. This fieldwork will be integrated with participatory design workshops to develop specific interventions into problems identified by research collaborators. The goal of the project is to amplify the voices and concerns of those most negatively impacted by AI.

Requirements:

• A doctorate in anthropology, sociology, STS, or a related social science discipline, and experience in conducting and publishing research at an international level. Candidates in the final stages of completing their PhDs will also be considered.
• Experience with qualitative methods is required. Applicants should have demonstrated independent experience in designing and carrying-out empirical qualitative research, ideally ethnographic fieldwork. Experience in qualitative data analysis is also necessary.
• Experience with participatory design or participatory methodologies is desired. Other forms of experience in community work or project facilitation, will also be considered.
• Strong analytical skills and a proven interest in interdisciplinary analysis are required.
• Topical expertise working in the areas of AI, justice, technology, or on other forms of related inequality is desired.
• Fluency in English and one additional language is required. Applicants must have substantial fluency in the second language, such that they are able to conduct in-depth interviews, lead public workshops, and analyze data in that language. Applicants will be expected to conduct fieldwork in this second language, and to write and publish in English.

We offer:

• An exciting intellectual environment and a supportive research team.
• An excellent international, collaborative research environment at one of Europe's leading academic institutions with state-of-the-art equipment.
• Employment and remuneration according to the provisions of the collective agreement for the public service of the federal states up to TV-L E13, plus the attractive benefits of the public service such as capital-forming benefits and company pension scheme.
• We offer a full-time position, however part-time is generally possible.

The Institute of History and Ethics in Medicine at the Technical University of Munich strives for a safe, inclusive and collaborative working environment. We foster a culture in which everyone feels valued and heard and in which the personal development and well-being of the individual in the group are central.

Further notes and information:

• TUM is striving to increase the ratio of women , and therefore expressly welcomes applications from female candidates.
• The position is suitable for disabled persons. Disabled applicants will be given preference in case of generally equivalent suitability, aptitude and professional performance. Note: The workplace is not completely barrier-free, not wheelchair accessible (listed old building).
• The weekly working time is 40 hours. The position is initially limited to 24 months.

Your application

Do not hesitate to contact Dr. Amelia Fiske for any content-related questions you may have ( a.fiske@tum.de ) or our office team for any administrative-related questions ( office.ethics@mh.tum.de ).

To apply please send your application in a single PDF document, including: 1) a cover letter expressing your motivation and preparation for the position, 2) CV, 3) a short research proposal, 4) up to three relevant publications, and 5) a list of professional references. The cover letter should detail your experience with qualitative data analysis, as well as your experience with participatory methodologies and AI. The research proposal (max 1 page) should describe a potential ethnographic research project you would propose in relation to the PARTIALJUSTICE project, and provide some specifics on your methodological approach and the feasibility of the research. We look forward to receiving your documents.

Please send the PDF file by 26.03.2026 by e-mail with the subject PARTIALJUSTICE WiMi Application_APPLICANT LAST NAME, to a.fiske@tum.de with office.ethics@mh.tum.de in cc, or by post to:

Technische Universität München
School of Medicine and Health
Institut für Geschichte und Ethik der Medizin
Ismaninger Str. 22

office.ethics@mh.tum.de

If you apply in writing, we request that you submit only copies of official documents, as we cannot return your materials after completion of the application process.