Academic research assistant (m/f/x)

Saarland University is a campus university that is internationally recognized for its strong research programmes. Fostering young academic talent and creating ideal conditions for teaching and research are a core part of the university’s mission. As part of the University of the Greater Region, Saarland University enables students and staff to share and exchange knowledge and ideas between disciplines, between universities and across borders. With over 17,000 national and international students, studying more than a hundred different academic disciplines, Saarland University is a diverse and dynamic learning environment. Saarland University is officially recognized as one of Germany’s family-friendly higher-education institutions and with a combined workforce of more than 4,000 it is one of the largest employers in the region.

The Philosophy Department at UdS is inviting applications for the following position commencing 01 April 2027:

• *Academic research assistant (m/f/x)**

Reference number W2907, salary in accordance with the German TV-L salary scale1, pay grade: E13 TV- L, duration of employment: 6 years, volume of employment: 100 % of standard working time.

• *Workplace/Department:**

The successful candidate will join the team at the new chair of philosophy headed by Viktoria Knoll at the Saarbrücken philosophy department. Our research and teaching focuses on theoretical philosophy, in particular on feminist philosophy of language, feminist metaphysics, and metaphilosophy.

• *Job requirements and responsibilities:**
• You will conduct research, ideally within the chair’s area of specialization, teach (4 hours per week), and contribute to academic administration.
• The position offers the opportunity for further academic qualification, incl. the possibility of pursuing a habilitation.

Your academic qualifications:

• Doctoral degree / PhD in philosophy with a demonstrable specialization in theoretical philosophy, preferably in one of the following areas: feminist philosophy, philosophy of language, metaphysics, metaphilosophy, social epistemology, or other applications of theoretical philosophy to issues of broader societal relevance.
• *The successful candidate will also be expected to:**
• be a committed and collaborative philosopher who is keen to contribute to the full range of academic life;
• be interested in participating in the research activities of the chair and ready to take on responsibility within the department;
• Language skills: be fluent in spoken and written English. The ability to teach in German is an advantage.
• *What we can offer you:**
• A flexible work schedule allowing you to balance work and family, among other things the possibility of teleworking
• Secure and future-oriented employment with attractive conditions
• A broad range of further education and professional development programmes (for example language courses)
• An occupational health management model with numerous attractive options, such as our university sports programme
• Supplementary pension scheme (RZVK)
• Discounted tickets on local public transport services (‘Job-Ticket‘ of the saarVV)
• Job bike leasing (JobRad)

We look forward to receiving your meaningful online application by 2 November 2026 to . Your application should include:

A) a cover letter, CV, and copies of degree certificates; and

B) an anonymized writing sample, such as a paper or a chapter from a dissertation (max. 8,000 words; published or unpublished), in German or English, together with an anonymized two-page statement outlining your plans for future research and teaching.

Please submit two separate PDF files, one containing the (unanonymized) documents listed under A and the other containing the (anonymized) documents listed under B. Please include the reference number W2907 in the subject-line of the email. At this stage, please do not include any references or letters of recommendation. Interviews for the position are expected to take place in early to mid-December 2026.

If you have any questions, please contact us for assistance. Your contact:

Viktoria Knoll

Mail:

Pay grade classification is based on the particular details of the position held and the extent to which the applicant meets the requirements of the pay grade within the TV-L salary scale. Part-time employment is generally possible.

If you have obtained a foreign university degree, a proof of the equivalence of this degree with a German degree by the Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (ZAB) is needed before hiring. If necessary, please apply for this in time. You can find more information at https://www.kmk.org/zeugnisbewertung.

Unfortunately, neither costs for attending an interview at Saarland University nor costs for any certificate evaluation by the ZAB can be reimbursed in principle.

We welcome applications regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, disability, age, and sexual orientation and identity. In accordance with its policy of increasing the proportion of women, the University actively encourages applications from women. Applications from severely disabled persons will be given preferential consideration in the event of equal suitability.

When you submit a job application to Saarland University you will be transmitting personal data. Please refer to our privacy notice for information on how we collect and process personal data in accordance with Art. 13 of the Datenschutz-Grundverordnung. By submitting your application you confirm that you have taken note of the information in the Saarland University privacy notice.