Job Posting: Research Fellow in Philosophy, History and/or Social Studies of the Life Sciences (100% for 36 months, fixed term)
About us
This opportunity is offered by the Chair for Philosophy and History of Science and Technology at the TUM School of Social Sciences and Technology (SOT). The Research Fellow will be a member of Philosophy and History of Science and Technology research team for 36 months, starting preferably in spring/summer 2026 until summer 2029. Depending on performance, there is a possibility of renewal for a further three years. The Chair for Philosophy and History of Science and Technology comprises a highly interdisciplinary, public-interest-minded, international and impact-oriented team. We have world-leading expertise in the philosophy, history and social studies of biology, biomedicine and environmental science; Open Science; data-intensive research; and the governance of data and AI. The Chair is located within the Department of Science, Technology and Society, which is dedicated to understanding the larger social, political, ethical and legal dimensions of science and technology. Embedded in TUM’s unique innovation ecosystem, we are committed to enabling a more responsible and sustainable engagement with science and innovation through social science research, teaching and public dialogue – often in collaboration with partners from technical fields. The TUM STS community strives to provide new intellectual and practical resources for dealing with the challenges of highly technologized societies, and to train future leaders with a unique sensibility for the critical interface between science, technology and society. As one of Europe’s largest hubs for STS, we are a lively intellectual community of 80+ researchers from numerous disciplines and fields of specialization. As a department, we deliver 2 Master’s programs and design STS content for the School’s PhD program. We offer regular public lectures and symposia, weekly discussion groups, and visiting researcher programs. We maintain close collaborative ties to other parts of TUM as well as to leading HPS and STS centers in Germany and around the world.
The researcher taking on this position will be required to teach 5 hours per week, in accordance with postdoctoral workloads across Germany. The researcher will have the opportunity to contribute to the Public Science Lab, the Ethical Data Initiative (www.ethicaldatainitiative.org), the TransforM excellence cluster and the PHIL_OS project (https://www.opensciencestudies.eu) as relevant and useful to their interests, since these are core activities run by the Chair.
Requirements
Applicants are required to have a PhD in philosophy, history and/or social studies of science and technology, with an interest in the life and environmental sciences. Preference will be given to applicants with research interests in plant and crop science, agrodiversity, entomology and/or field sciences. Applicants are also required to have some experience in teaching philosophy, history and/or social studies of science within an academic institution.
We are excited to collaborate with a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher who shares our deep interest in exploring conceptual, educational, social, and governance issues that emerge in the context of research on plants, sustainable environments and agriculture broadly construed. The candidate also brings the following qualifications:
- PhD or equivalent qualification/experience in the philosophy, history and/or social studies of science or a related field of study.
- Demonstrated interest in plant science, environmental science or a related domain.
- Demonstrated interest in the philosophy of science in practice.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience in teaching relevant subjects to university students.
- Able to communicate complex and conceptual ideas to a range of groups.
- Able to balance the pressures of research, administrative demands and competing deadlines.
- An understanding of the importance of equality and diversity within an organisation and a commitment to helping create an inclusive culture.
- Interest and ability to engage in organizational tasks supporting the chair, such as developing events to engage project members and associates
- Interest and ability to develop funding applications both nationally and internationally in collaboration with the Chair team
- Intellectual curiosity and an open mindset, and the ability and motivation to work both independently and as member of the team
- Organizational skills and excitement to work in a fast-paced, cross-cultural, and interdisciplinary environment
- Very good English skills, with knowledge of the German language as a plus (but not necessary).
Tasks
- Conduct research resulting in internationally leading publications
- Participate in weekly team meetings and in conferences and events relating to the chair, and present outputs as required
- Support the chair through administrative and organizational tasks as necessary
- Foster ongoing and/or novel collaborations with natural scientists as relevant to the research, both nationally and internationally
- Contribute to the intellectual life and community at the Chair of Philosophy and History of Science and Technology, including by mentoring PhD students and collaborating with colleagues
Our offer
We offer exciting opportunities to participate in cutting-edge research, education, and outreach in a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary, and internationally networked environment, tackling some of the hardest problems in the field of science studies and philosophy/history of science with a commitment to the public good. We as well offer the opportunity to build your own research agenda around relevant topics. We invite you to join us on the inner-city campus of TUM.
What to expect
- The possibility of carrying out research and develop high-level publications in this domain
- Working in a cutting-edge research, training, policy and outreach efforts, thereby acquiring world-leading skills in interdisciplinary research, teaching and engagement
- Working in a highly collaborative team of researchers from science studies, philosophy and history of science, data studies, agricultural/health/data science
- The opportunity to participate in collaborative academic publishing and engage with the broader scientific community through workshop and/or conference visits.
- Mentorship and continuous support in building an independent academic and professional profile.
- Remuneration according to the collective agreement for the public service of the federal states (TV-L) in the classification TV-L 13 to the extent of 100%.
The chosen candidate will be employed at the TUM Chair of Philosophy and History of Science and Technology. The employment contract is limited to 36 months.
Application
We look forward to receiving your informative documents until 31 October 2025 (cover letter, CV and references, bound in a single PDF file). We are happy for cover letters to provide details of research plans and aspirations of the candidates. Applications should be submitted via e-mail to oksana.bondar(at)tum.de.
Please note: We also accept applications from PhD researchers who have submitted their PhD thesis by 31 October 2025 at the latest.
We expect to invite selected candidates for interview by November 15, with interviews taking place online on December 17-18-19. Shortlisted candidates will be informed of the outcome by January 15th at the latest. If you have any questions regarding the application process, please reach out to Sabina Leonelli via sabinaleonelli(at)gmail.com or desantila.hysa@tum.de.
TUM is an equal opportunity employer and explicitly encourages applications from women and gender-non-binary persons. The position is suitable for disabled persons. Disabled candidates with essentially the same qualifications and scientific performance as other candidates will be given preference. Find out more about us at www.tum.de.
Data Protection Information
When you apply for a position with TUM, you are submitting personal information. With regard to personal information, please take note of the data protection information on collecting and processing personal data contained in your application in accordance with Art. 13 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). By submitting your application, you confirm that you have acknowledged the above data protection information of TUM.
Job Posting: Student Assistant (Coding Faces in Medicine, 12 months)
Position of a Student Assistant
in the Project Coding Faces in Medicine: Promises, Pitfalls, Challenges
Student Assistant (f/m/d)
To support the project Coding Faces in Medicine: Promises, Pitfalls, Challenges (led by Paul Trauttmansdorff), located at the TUM Think Tank and the Chair for Philosophy and History of Science and Technology, TUM School of Social Sciences and Technology.
Focus: Project Management | Research & Media Support | Event Organization
Conditions:
- Start date: October 2025 – September 2026 (12 months)
- Working hours: 7,5 hours per week
- Compensation: according to standard hourly rates for TUM student assistants
About the project
The position in the project Coding Faces in Medicine is funded by the Friedrich Schiedel Fellowship program for Technology in Society by the TUM Think Tank and School of Social Sciences and Technology. It is located at the Chair of Philosophy and History of Science and Technology and affiliated with the Ethical Data Initiative.
The project explores the social, political and ethical implications of facial recognition technologies in medical and healthcare contexts. It aims to foster interdisciplinary dialogue, build bridges between academic and clinical perspectives, and raise awareness of the challenges and consequences of automated processing and analysis of facial data in diagnostics. Key activities include a two-day interdisciplinary workshop, the development of an ethical framework, and the production of a “data story,” an educational film on facial data in medicine.
The student assistant will support the project throughout the 12-month duration in the Friedrich Schiedel Fellowship program.
Responsibilities include
- Supporting outreach and communication with academic, clinical, and public stakeholders
- Assisting in the organization of events, e.g., a workshop at the TUM Think Tank (incl. conceptualization, logistics, scheduling, communication)
- Preparing, supporting, and documenting meetings
- Supporting the preparation of project materials and the development of a data story
- Contributing to exploratory research and literature reviews (e.g., in the fields of medicine, digital health, medical STS, biometrics)
Your profile
- You are enrolled in a Master’s program (e.g., related to STS, RESET, Sociology, Philosophy, Political Science, Media Studies, Medical Ethics, or related fields)
- Independent, structured, and reliable working style
- Some experience in social scientific analysis and writing
- Strong interest in the social, political and ethical aspects of technology in health and medicine
- Excellent command of English
- Some experience with event organization or public engagement (not required but a plus)
What is offered?
- Join a dynamic project at the intersection of technoscience, diagnostic medicine, and data ethics
- Work within an interdisciplinary environment at the TUM Think Tank, Ethical Data Initiative, and the Chair for Philosophy and History of Science and Technology
- Gain insight into current debates around medical AI, biometric surveillance, and responsible data practices
- Opportunities to strengthen skills in event organization, science communication, and project coordination
- Opportunity to integrate the work into your academic studies (e.g., as a MA thesis)
Application
The Technical University of Munich is committed to promoting diversity in research and teaching and particularly encourages applications from women, non-binary individuals, and people from underrepresented backgrounds. Applicants with disabilities will be given preferential consideration in cases of equal qualification.
Please send a short letter, CV, and a recent writing example (parts of your BA thesis / essay / blop post / or a seminar paper) by July 27, 2025, via email to paul.trauttmansdorff(at)tum.de.
If you have any questions about the position or the project, please get in touch.
Job Posting: Student Assistant (Project Week, 5 months)
Student Assistant (f/m/d)
To support the teaching team of the project week “Data Ethics in Practice”, TUM School of Social Sciences and Technology, Technical University of Munich (TUM)
Focus: Teaching Assistance / Project Week Management
Duration: 1 September 2025 – 31 January 2026, 7 hours per week
About us
We are the teaching team located at the Chair for Chair for Philosophy and History of Science and Technology, TUM School of Social Sciences and Technology, and in the Ethical Data Initiative at the TUM Think Tank.[1]
We are responsible for the project week “Data Ethics in Practice,” which will take place in January 2026. The project week offers a dynamic, interdisciplinary “data clinic” format, where TUM Master’s and Bachelor’s students collaborate with external partners on real-world challenges in data governance and ethics. Guided by the teaching team, participants engage in interactive sessions to explore responsible data practices, ethical decision-making, and policies related to issues such as privacy, transparency, discrimination, or accountability. The data clinic bridges theory and practice, empowering students and partners with the tools to navigate complex ethical questions and promote responsible data cultures.
Your responsibilities include
- Support logistical and communication tasks for the project week
- Coordinate with partner organizations and assist with communications
- Help prepare materials and manage technical requirements for the project week
- Assist in organizing and supporting teaching sessions during the semester
- Contribute to course management, including setting up and maintaining the Moodle page
- Support students throughout the semester and help gather and compile feedback
- Assist with organizing the final project fair
Your profile
- You are enrolled as a Master student (e.g. in STS, RESET, Sociology, Communication Studies, Political Science, Management, Business Administration, Marketing, Media, Design, or related fields)
- Reliable, independent, and proactive working style
- Strong organizational and project management skills
- Strong communication skills and ability to work in a team
- Proficient in Microsoft Office programs
- Excellent command of English (knowledge of German is not required but an advantage)
What we offer
- Flexible working hours during the semester
- Being part of an engaged, interdisciplinary teaching team at the Chair for Philosophy and History of Science and Technology and the Ethical Data Initiative at the TUM Think Tank
- Experience supporting an innovative “data clinic” format that bridges theory and practice
- Get insight into current debates and practices in data ethics, governance, and responsible data use
- Opportunities to develop organizational, communication, and project management skills
- The opportunity to contribute to an exciting, student-centered project week taking place in January 2026
Conditions
- Working hours: approx. 7 hours per week
- Start date: 1 September 2025, for 5 months
- Compensation: according to standard hourly rates for student assistants
Application
We are committed to increasing diversity in research and teaching and particularly encourage applications from women and non-binary individuals. Applicants with disabilities will be given preferential consideration in cases of equal qualification.
Please send us a short motivation letter, your CV, and a recent study transcript by July 31, 2025,
via email to:
Kim Hajek (kim.hajek(at)tum.de) & Paul Trauttmansdorff (paul.trauttmansdorff(at)tum.de)
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at the email address above.
We are Prof. Dr. Sabina Leonelli, Dr. Kim M. Hajek, Dr. Paul Trauttmansdorff