Research Assistant Position (m/f/d)

The University of Bayreuth is a research-oriented university with internationally competitive and interdisciplinary areas of focus in research and teaching.

The Chair of Philosophy, Computer Science, and AI (Prof. Dr. Lena Kästner) in the Faculty of Cultural Studies at the University of Bayreuth is seeking to fill a fixed-term position for a

at either PhD or PostDoc level, for a minimum of two years as soon as possible. Compensation will be according to Pay Grade 13 of the TV-L. This position should constitute at least 65% of the regular weekly working hours of a full-time employee. Full-time employment is also possible.

The term of this position is fixed in accordance with the German Academic Fixed-Term Contract Act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz) and is intended to promote academic qualification. The exact duration and scope of the employment are determined by legal as well as personal requirements. In all other respects, the hiring requirements under the Bavarian Higher Education Innovation Act (BayHIG) apply.

Your Responsibilities:

• Assist the chair in establishing a research focus on responsible artificial intelligence within an interdisciplinary team, in collaboration with researchers from business informatics and criminal law
• Opportunity to initiate or complete a doctoral or postdoctoral project on an AI-related topic
• Option to conduct teaching independently, preferably in the interdisciplinary Master’s program “Philosophy & Computer Science”
• Assisting with administrative tasks at the chair

In addition to individual supervision of your project—with the opportunity to secure your own funding through interdisciplinary collaborations—you will be given opportunities for you own professional development.

Your Profile:

• completed academic degree (e.g., Master’s or Diplom) in philosophy or another field thematically relevant to the philosophy of AI (e.g., cognitive science, psychology, computer science)
• or, for a postdoctoral project, a relevant PhD.

Beyond that, you should have:

• excellent command of both written and spoken English; good German skills are considered an asset
• education in analytical philosophy
• a strong interest in topics at the intersection of philosophy and computer science, including AI ethics
• the ability to work well in teams and a willingness to develop collaborative projects
• enthusiasm for interdisciplinary work and the ability to communicate your expertise within interdisciplinary groups
• willingness to make visible your research internationally
• a concrete work plan for your project or an initial project outline (approx. 2 pages), based on which you intend to develop and complete your project.

What you an expect:

• a secure job at a modern university
• a interesting and varied role in an academic setting
• flexible work schedules and the option to work from home
• a constructive work environment within a friendly, open-minded team
• good work-life balance
• ample opportunities for personal and professional development through various training programs
• as well as other benefits of public service, such as JobRad, an attractive supplementary pension plan through the Federal and State Pension Fund, a wide range of health promotion programs—including health days, workshops, and active breaks—and the opportunity to participate in a very large number of diverse sports activities as part of the university’s general sports program
• In addition to annual leave and the option of flexible working hours, employees are granted the day off on December 24 and December 31 of each year.

The University of Bayreuth values the diversity of its employees as an asset and is explicitly committed to gender equality. Women are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants with children are very welcome. The University of Bayreuth is a member of the “Familie in der Hochschule e.V.” best-practice club and has successfully participated in the HRK audit on “Internationalization of Higher Education.” Candidates with severe disabilities will be given preferential consideration if equally qualified.

Please apply online with a comprehensive application package (project outline or work plan, resume, transcripts, list of publications, names of two referees, writing sample (max. 20 pages, e.g., term paper, essay, section of a master’s thesis, dissertation chapter, etc.) by July 19, 2026, using the reference code “PhilCS” via the University of Bayreuth’s application portal.

The documents will be deleted in accordance with data protection requirements once the position has been filled.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact: Prof. Dr. Lena Kästner (lena.kaestner@uni-bayreuth.de, Tel. 0921/55-4164).