PhD student (m/f/d)

The University of Bayreuth is a research-oriented university with an internationally competitive and interdisciplinary profile in research and teaching. The research field of the professorship for Gender, Sexuality and Religion with a Focus on Africa is seeking to fill the position of a

limited to four years, 50%, start-date March 2026. Remuneration will be in accordance with pay group 13 TV-L. 

The PhD student will join and contribute to a team where research and teaching focus on the interdisciplinary study of sexuality, gender, and religion with a focus on Africa and its Diaspora.  We are looking for a motivated researcher to support this research field and to develop a doctoral project on topics that investigate socio-cultural relations that are formed at the intersection of gender, sexuality, class, ethnicity, religion. A research focus on the intersection of religion and sexuality in the African Diaspora in Europe is desirable.

Your profile:

• Very good master’s degree in religious studies, cultural studies, social and cultural anthropology (or other closely related disciplines)
• Very good knowledge of both English and German languages (C1 level)
• Interest in the topics of the research area
• Solid knowledge of qualitative research methods
• First research experience
• Proven ability to work in a team as well as independently
• Good knowledge of and/or strong interest in intersectionality

Your tasks:

• Developing and carrying out a doctoral project
• Active participation in third-party funding applications and projects of the research area
• Teaching at BA and MA level in relevant study programs (1.5 courses per semester)
• Administrative tasks in the chair, especially in its current stage of team building and consolidation

What we offer: 

• Work in future-oriented, creative, supportive and inspiring research contexts
• Possible Admission to BIGSAS (Bayreuth International Graduate School of African Studies)
• Networking possibilities with researchers from different parts of the world
• Funds for conference participation, books and equipment
• Flexible working hours
• Attractive opportunities for stimulating tasks, further training and qualification (e.g. university teaching qualification)
• A good work-life balance and other public service benefits, e.g. JobRad (a bicycle leasing scheme), an attractive supplementary pension plan with the Federal and State Pension Scheme (VBL), a wide range of health promotion offers, e.g. health days, workshops, and the opportunity to participate in the university sports program

The University of Bayreuth values the diversity of its employees and is expressly committed to the goal of equal opportunities for all genders. Applicants with children are also very welcome. The University of Bayreuth is a member of the best-practice club “Familie in der Hochschule e.V.” (Family in the University) and has successfully participated in the HRK audit “Internationalization of the University”.  In case of equal qualifications, people with disabilities will be given preferential consideration.

Please apply online by 20.01.2026, quoting the keyword “WiMi_GSR_Afrika” via the application portal of the university.

Your application should include a cover letter, CV, certificates (high school/A-levels, BA, MA), a 1-page outline of a possible doctoral project and a writing sample (e.g. published article, blog or a chapter of the MA thesis). The documents will be deleted in accordance with data protection regulations once the position has been filled.

If you have any questions, please contact Prof. Dr. Serawit Debele (serawit.debele@uni-bayreuth.de).