100% TV-L E 13, fixed term for four years, starts October 1, 2024

Deadline: March 22, 2024

45,000 students and 8,000 employees in teaching, research and administration, all working together to shape perspectives for the future – that is the University of Münster. Embedded in the vibrant atmosphere of Münster with its high standard of living, the University’s diverse research profile and attractive study programmes draw students and researchers throughout Germany and from around the world.

The English Department of the Faculty of Philology (FB 09) at the University of Münster, Germany, is seeking to fill the position of a

Postdoctoral research associate
Wissenschaftliche*r Mitarbeiter*in
(salary level TV-L E 13)

starting 1 October 2024. We are offering a fixed-term, full-time position (100%) until 30 September 2028. Full-time employees are required to teach four hours per week during the semester.

Your tasks:

  • teach courses in literary studies in the field of critical children’s and adolescent/YA literatures (K-12) at an undergraduate and graduate level;
  • collaborate in departmental and faculty-level research projects;
  • organise events with a thematic focus on critical children’s and adolescent/YA literatures;
  • demonstrate commitment to the discipline, institution and community;
  • mentor students in your respective areas of expertise, especially with respect to thesis supervision at the bachelor’s and master’s levels in the English Department’s Master of Education programmes;
  • work towards postdoctoral qualification in the form of a habilitation (second monograph).

Our expectations:

  • MA and doctoral degrees in English;
  • strong research background in literary studies, American studies and critical children’s and adolescent/YA literature;
  • strong record in teaching literary studies with specialisation in critical children’s and adolescent/ YA literatures (K-12), including the history of children’s literature, diversity and inclusion in children’s and adolescent/YA literatures, and contemporary theories and trends;
  • strong record of research excellence in your field of expertise;
  • near-native command of written and spoken English;
  • project description and timeline for the completion of a habilitation (second monograph) in the field of American Studies;
  • working knowledge of German or the willingness to learn German;
  • good communication and organisational skills, a passion for teaching and the ability to work well both independently and in team constellations.

Additional desirable qualifications include:

  • experience in teaching academic writing;
  • experience in working in diverse classrooms.

The University of Münster strongly supports equal opportunity and diversity. We welcome all applicants regardless of nationality, ethnic or social background, religion or worldview, disability, age, sexual orientation or gender identity. We are committed to creating family-friendly working conditions. Part-time options are generally available.

We actively encourage applications by women. Women with equivalent qualifications and academic achievements will be preferentially considered unless these are outweighed by reasons which necessitate the selection of another candidate.

If you have any questions, please contact Prof Dr Silvia Schultermandl at

silvia.schultermandl@uni-muenster.de.

Are you interested? Then we look forward to receiving your application by 22 March 2024, addressed to:

Prof Dr Silvia Schultermandl
Chair of American Studies
English Department
University of Münster
Kennziffer: 2024_01_31
Johannisstrasse 12-20
48143 Münster

Please submit your application materials (letter of interest, CV, copies of degree certificates, a 20-page writing sample, and a sample syllabus for a course on children’s and YA literature designed for the English Department’s Master of Education programmes) electronically in a single PDF file to americanstudies@uni-muenster.de.