Postdoctoral researcher for the Ethics Laboratory

The Ethics Laboratory of the Cluster of Excellence “HUMAN ORIGINS” at the University of Tübingen is looking for a

Postdoctoral researcher (f/m/d, E13 TV-L, 100%).

The position should start on 01st April 2027 and is initially limited to a period of three years, with the option to be extended.

The HUMAN ORIGINS Cluster of Excellence researches the last five million years of human history and combines scientific, archaeological, and humanities approaches.

The Ethics Laboratory develops ethical standards and best practices for research in human origins and conducts innovative research in the ethics of human evolution, repatriation, and other fields of ethics and philosophy in the context of HUMAN ORIGINS research.

The position offers an exciting opportunity to help frame and substantially impact the ethical discourse on critical topics in human origins studies.

Your future tasks will include:

• Conduct own research projects
• Writing research proposals to secure grants and funding
• Addressing issues related to provenience, repatriation and decolonization of science
• Advising Cluster members on ethical aspects of planned research
• Working together with the Group Leader to develop ethical guidelines and best practices in human origins research
• Secure research approvals from ethics committees
• Establish contacts and reciprocal, collaborative interactions with Indigenous and local communities to integrate local knowledge in the framing of research questions and results interpretation
• Organize regular workshops, lecture series, and conferences

Your profile:

• PhD in philosophy or ethics
• Well-rounded experience in research ethics, field ethics, and ethics of science; especially welcome are experiences with the topics of repatriation, decolonization, and prehistory
• Publications in renowned, subject-relevant international journals
• Scientific creativity and drive to address fundamental ethical questions of human origins research
• Demonstrated working experience in multidisciplinary teams and in working at the cross-section of philosophy/ethics with the natural sciences
• Experience in writing grant proposals
• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken

To apply, please submit the following:

• Cover Letter stating your motivation to work in the Cluster’s Ethics Laboratory (2 pages max.)
• Research proposal for a planned research project (3 pages max.)
• Academic CV including a list of publications, provided talks, organized events, and successfully secured funding
• Degree certificates

"The University aims to increase the proportion of women in research and teaching and therefore particularly encourages qualified women scientists to apply. The University of Tübingen is committed to equal opportunities and diversity and actively promotes gender equality. Female candidates are expressly invited to submit their application. Disabled candidates will be given preference over other equally qualified applicants. The appointment will be made by the Central Administration.

Please submit applications as a single PDF file (max. 10 MB) to Dr. Leonie Bossert leonie.bossert@uni-tuebingen.deby 30th November 2026. Job interviews are planned for January 2027.

Further information on the Ethics Laboratory and the Cluster of Excellence can be found here:
Cluster of excellence human origins