Job Vacancies

We seek a bright and highly-motivated postdoctoral research fellow with strong expertise in cognitive computational modeling and an interest in applying computational approaches to digital education data. The position is funded through a collaborative project between the Hector Research Institute of Education Sciences and Psychology and the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics. The successful candidate will work on a highly interdisciplinary and ambitious research program that aims to apply theory-driven cognitive computational modeling to rich and intensive educational data obtained from learning platforms, digital learning tools (e.g., mobile apps), and/or ecological momentary assessments (EMAs). The candidate will work closely with Prof. Kou Murayama, Prof. Michiko Sakaki, and Prof. Peter Dayan.

What we offer

The position is offered for three years, with the possibility of extension contingent on funding availability. The expected start date is early 2027, although flexibility can be provided to accommodate individual circumstances. The successful candidate will be based at the Hector Research Institute and will also be affiliated with the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics in Tübingen. The Hector Research Institute (https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/80946) is a nationally and internationally leading research center in education science and psychology. The Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics (https://www.kyb.tuebingen.mpg.de/en) is a world-renowned research hub for computational modeling and cognitive neuroscience. This unique research environment provides the postdoctoral researcher with access to a wide range of rich educational datasets at the Hector Research Institute, as well as cutting-edge computational facilities and expertise at the Max Planck Institute. Furthermore, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to participate in the Hector Institute’s postdoctoral academy, PACE (https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/56293), which offers training, coaching, and mentoring at the postdoctoral level. In addition, the candidate may join the LEAD Graduate School & Research Network (www.lead.uni-tuebingen.de) to develop cross-faculty collaborations with researchers in the field of education.

The successful candidate will have substantial freedom to develop a research program in concert with Profs. Murayama, Sakaki, and Dayan addressing computationally-tractable questions such as continual and self-directed learning, curiosity, metacognition, motivation, procrastination, self-regulated learning, or representational change. Projects can draw on a variety of existing datasets available at the Hector Research Institute. The position therefore provides an excellent opportunity for a researcher to develop an independent research profile at the intersection of computational modeling, psychology, and education. Postdoctoral researchers are expected to teach one course per term (co-teaching is possible). The successful candidate will also be encouraged to actively develop collaborations with researchers within the Hector Research Institute, the Max Planck Institute, and across the University of Tübingen.

The salary pay scale is “E13 TV-L”. Depending on prior experience, this might correspond to a monthly salary of around 5366 € (full-time position, experience level 3, gross pay, before tax). After taxes as a single (i.e., not married or living with a life partner; no children), the monthly salary is at least 3177 € (net salary after taxes and health insurance payments). Your income will increase regularly if you remain employed. Information regarding cost of living in Tübingen: https://tuebingenresearchcampus.com/tuebingen/.

What we expect from you

We are looking for a candidate with a strong methodological background, excellent research skills, and enthusiasm for interdisciplinary collaboration. Specifically, we expect:

• a PhD in Psychology, Neuroscience, Computer Science, or a related field, or expect to obtain one by the start date; 

• have strong experience and skills in cognitive computational modeling; 

• demonstrate a strong research track record, for example through peer-reviewed publications and/or third-party funding experience;

• prior experience in education research is not required. However, the successful candidate should demonstrate a strong interest in and willingness to commit to research in education;

• proficiency in German is beneficial but not required.

For further inquiries about the position, please reach out to Professor Kou Murayama (k.murayamaspam prevention@uni-tuebingen.de).

How to Apply

Applicants should provide (1) a cover letter outlining their skills and experiences relevant to this particular position, their motivation to work in empirical education research, and an outline of the questions that they would like to answer, (2) a CV, (3) contact details of three referees, and (4) copies of degree certificates and transcripts. Please submit all documents as a single PDF file to jobsspam prevention@hib.uni-tuebingen.de and indicate how you learned about the position (for internal purposes only). The application deadline is October 31, 2026. 

The University of Tübingen is committed to equity and diversity and actively promotes equal opportunities. Equally qualified candidates with disabilities will be given preference in the hiring process. The University of Tübingen is committed to increasing the percentage of women in research and teaching and thus encourages women with adequate qualifications to apply.

Employment will be officially carried out by the central university administration.

At the University of Tübingen (Germany), Ludwig Uhland Institute for Historical and Cultural Anthropology, there is a doctoral position (m/f/d; TV-L E13, 75%) available.

The position is to be filled as of January 1, 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter, no later than April 1, 2027. The position is limited to 36 month and can be extended for additional 12 months after positive evaluation.

Main Tasks:

* Independent research and development of a doctoral dissertation within the interdisciplinary project “Human-Centered Agentic Science,” with a focus on digital anthropology, science and technology studies (STS), and ethnographic research. The doctoral position is part of the Cluster of Excellence “Machine Learning: New Perspectives for Science” and involves working in an interdisciplinary team comprising researchers from digital anthropology/STS (Prof. Dr. Christoph Bareither), computer science (Prof. Dr. Carsten Eickhoff and Dr. Harrisen Scells), psychology (Prof. Dr. Sonja Utz) and Neuroscience (Prof. Dr. Kerstin Ritter), and will collaborate with several other disciplines like linguistics, economics, and physics. Using ethnographic approaches, the doctoral position will study and support the development and implementation of AI-based systems in the context of the automation of scientific workflows. In particular, it examines how ethnographic perspectives can contribute to the development of AI-based models for agentic science, to their productive implementation in scientific contexts, and, at the same time, to the necessary critique of the automation of scientific work. The goal is to demonstrate how ethnographic analysis and critical reflection on human-technology relationships can help shape the application of human-centered agentic science.

* Expansion/establishment and co-supervision of an interdisciplinary “Hub for Human-Centered Agentic Science,” in which activities in the field of agentic science within the Cluster of Excellence “ML for Science” are consolidated and networked with other institutions.

* Participation in regular events organized by the Cluster of Excellence “Machine Learning: New Perspectives for Science” (https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/133840) as well as in the “Digital Anthropology Lab” at the University of Tübingen: (www.digitalanthropologylab.org)

Requirements:
* A master’s degree with a very good grade in cultural anthropology/European ethnology, or

* A master’s degree with a very good grade in related subjects and fields, such as science and technology studies (STS), sociology, ethnology, or media studies.

* Strong expertise in ethnographic and/or qualitative social science research 
* very good English language skills

Advantageous are:

* Previous experience in the research field of digital anthropology and/or science and technology studies

* German language skills

The University of Tübingen is committed to the goals of equality and diversity and actively promotes equal opportunity. Equally qualified applicants with disabilities will be given preference. The university seeks to raise the number of women in research and teaching and therefore encourages qualified women to apply for these positions. Employment will be carried out by the central administration of the University Tübingen. 

Application documents

* Cover letter with curriculum vitae (Tabular Format)

* Graduation certificate (high school or similar), BA certificate, MA certificate (university), transcript of records.

* MA thesis

Application

Please send your application via email in one PDF document by October 1, 2026 to:

Prof. Dr. Christoph Bareither

Institute of Historical and Cultural Anthropology

University of Tübingen

Burgsteige 11

72070 Tübingen (Germany)

07071-297-2373

christoph.bareitherspam prevention@uni-tuebingen.de

The Chair of International Business is seeking to hire, starting May 1, 2026 or later,

a student assistant (m/f/d, 15 hours per month)

Responsibilities include:

- Administrative support in teaching activities

- Assistance with ongoing research projects

- Support with general administrative tasks at the Chair

Requirements:

- Confident use of Microsoft Office

- Excellent command of English

- International experience is a plus

- Enrolled in at least the 3rd semester of a bachelor's degree program

- Ideally enrolled at the University of Tübingen for at least two more semesters 

- High level of independence, structured and precise work style, reliability, teamwork skills, and strong communication skills

What we offer:

- A collegial and supportive working environment
- Flexible working hours by arrangement with the Chair
- Compensation according to the standard university rate (BA: €13,98/hour, MA: €14.87/hour) 

If you are interested in joining our team, we look forward to receiving your application (including a cover letter, CV, and ToR) as a single PDF file sent to: ib@wiwi.uni-tuebingen.de.

Applicants with officially recognized disabilities will be given preference in cases of equal qualification. The University is committed to equal opportunity and diversity.
For further inquiries, please contact us at ib@wiwi.uni-tuebingen.de