Job description

The Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) 1342, "Global Dynamics of Social Policy," has been funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) since 2018. The third phase represents the culmination of the 12-year research agenda. In Phase I, the worldwide introduction of social protection programs was mapped, and the Global Welfare State Information System (WeSIS) was established. Phase II documented the differences in the inclusiveness and scope of social policy benefits and integrated this information into WeSIS. In Phase III, based on this foundation, the socioeconomic effectiveness of social policy is being examined in terms of improving social conditions and promoting political integration.

The CRC is structured into two research areas. The six projects in Area A focus on the socioeconomic and political impacts of social policy in a global comparison. The six projects in Area B primarily investigate the political and socioeconomic consequences of social policy in selected countries or world regions. The Information Infrastructure Project (INF) provides a shared platform for data and methods.

This position is part of Project B15, which comprises three doctoral researcher positions and investigates the political and social impacts of social policy in Germany, Britain, and Chile from a comparative perspective. The project focuses on the decades since the 1970s, a period shaped by recurring economic crises. The doctoral subproject advertised here examines the impact of social policy using the example of the shipyard crisis in Bremen (Germany). The study is located at the intersection of global economic developments, national welfare policy, and local socio-economic conditions. The position is designed to enable the successful candidate to complete a doctoral dissertation in history.

Tasks 

• conducting independent research within subproject B15, leading to a doctoral dissertation on the history of the political and social effects of social policy in Germany.

• collaborating within the international CRC 1342.

• contributing to publications and participating in the documentation of the subproject’s research findings.

• taking joint responsibility for organising and conducting workshops etc.

• the position also comes with teaching responsibilities (2SWS)

Requirements

• an outstanding university degree in History (master’s degree level) or a related subject with historical foci;

• great dedication to research and teaching;

• excellent command of spoken and written English;

• team-working and organisational skills.

• for degrees obtained outside the EU, please provide a German translation and an evaluation from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB). Alternatively, you may submit a PDF extract from the ANABIN database on the recognition and evaluation of foreign educational qualifications.

General Information

Open to unconventional approaches in research and teaching, the University of Bremen has retained its character as a place of short distances for people and ideas since its founding in 1971. With a broad spectrum of subjects, we combine exceptional performance and innovative potential. As an ambitious research university, we stand for research-based learning approaches and a pronounced interdisciplinary orientation. We actively pursue scientific cooperation in a spirit of global partnership. 

Today, around 23,000 people learn, teach, research, and work on our international campus. In research and teaching, administration and operations, we are strongly committed to the goals of sustainability, climate justice, and climate neutrality. Our Bremen spirit is expressed in the courage to try new things, in supportive cooperation, in respect and appreciation for each other. With our study and research profile and as part of the European YUFE network, we assume social responsibility in the region, in Europe, and in the world.

The university is family-friendly, diverse and sees itself as an international university. We therefore welcome all applicants regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity.

As the University of Bremen intends to increase the proportion of female employees in science, women are particularly encouraged to apply. In the case of equal qualifications, women are given priority, unless reasons relating to the person of a competitor prevail.

Disabled applicants will be given priority if their professional and personal qualifications are essentially the same. 

For general questions about the personnel selection procedure, as well as questions regarding the content of the advertised position, please contact:

Prof. Dr. Cornelius Torp (cornelius.torpprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de).

Please send your application with your complete documents (cover letter, curriculum vitae, qualification certificates, references) to the following address, quoting the reference number A271-25 until 14.01.2026 as one PDF file by unencrypted electronic mail to: fass.nngprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de

Universität Bremen
SFB 1342 
Prof. Dr. Cornelius Torp
Postfach 33 04 40
28334 Bremen 

We kindly ask you to send us only copies (no portfolios) of your application documents, as we cannot return them. They will be destroyed after the selection process has been completed. Application costs cannot be reimbursed.

Please note that no photos are to be attached to the application documents