Postdoctoral Researcher in Sociology​/Health Inequalities

Organisation/Company Universität Bamberg Department Department of Sociology Research Field Sociology Medical sciences » Health sciences Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Final date to receive applications 31 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Berlin) Country Germany Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 39 Offer Starting Date 1 Jan 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Horizon Europe - ERC Reference Number  Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

The Junior Professorship of Sociology, esp. Work & Health, at the University of Bamberg invites applications for a five-year Postdoctoral Researcher position (100%, E13 TV-L, 5 years) within the ERC Starting Grant project FIELDS – Fields of Education as New Drivers of Health Inequalities
, starting on 1 January 2027.

The project FIELDS is funded by the European Research Council (ERC Starting Grant) and investigates the relationship between fields of education, such as study majors and vocational training programmes, and physical and mental health over the life course. Moving beyond the well-established educational gradient in health, the project examines how educational fields contribute to health inequalities within educational levels. FIELDS uses longitudinal data from six major household panel studies from Germany (SOEP), the United States (PSID), the Netherlands (LISS), Switzerland (SHP), South Korea (KLIPS), and Australia (HILDA), covering more than 2.3 million observations.

A core component of the work responsibilities is the harmonisation of these data and their analysis using advanced longitudinal methods. The postdoc will also co-supervise two doctoral researchers studying mechanisms linking educational fields to health through labour market outcomes, health behaviours, and social capital.

The postdoctoral researcher will take a leading role in the scientific implementation and management of the project.

Responsibilities include:

• Preparing and harmonising data across the six panel surveys, including measures of education, physical and mental health, background characteristics, and relevant mediating factors.
• Planning and conducting longitudinal and cross-country analyses using advanced quantitative methods (e.g. random- and fixed-effects regression, matching approaches, time-to-event analyses).
• Co-supervising two doctoral researchers and two student assistants .
• Preparing and publishing research manuscripts in leading international peer-reviewed journals.
• Presenting project findings at international conferences.
• Supporting the PI in the scientific coordination and management of the project

The position offers an excellent opportunity to further develop an independent academic profile, including opportunities for international collaboration, research visits, and methodological training. Bamberg is one of Germany’s leading locations for sociology, with a broad research profile spanning education, labour markets, the life course, and social inequality. The University offers a particularly strong research environment through its links with the Leibniz Institute for Educational Trajectories (LIfBi), home of the National Educational Panel Study (NEPS), the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), and the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA).

The position is based in Bamberg and requires regular on-site presence. Where compatible with project responsibilities, part of the work may be carried out remotely. Continued employment beyond the ERC project may be possible, subject to funding availability.

The University of Bamberg is committed to increasing the…