Research Assistant

At the University of Kassel, Department of Architecture, Urban and Landscape Planning the following position is available as of 1 October 2025:
Research Assistant (m/w/d), EG 13 TV-H, fixed term-position, part-time (currently 26 hours per week)
**Application deadline**:
01.08..2025
**Date of hire**: 01.10.2025
**vacancy number**: 38566
Part-time position with 65,00 percent the working hours of a full-time employee. The position is initially limited until 30.09.2029 as part of the project “The social production of rurban spaces in Bengaluru” in accordance with the Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz. The possibility of a doctorate is given.
FOR5903 is a DFG Research Unit with a wide interdisciplinary and international scope, covering diverse dimensions of global urbanisation processes under the novel framework of “Sustainable Rurbanity”. In the context of this project, this doctoral position is available addressing “RurbanSpace: The social production of rurban space in Bengaluru”. The position cannot be shared. The main place of service is Kassel, but extended fieldwork in India for several months per year will be required. Fitness for service in the tropics is, therefore, mandatory.
**Tasks**:

- Reviewing and analyzing relevant literature and documents on policy approaches and ongoing debates on urbanization and rurbanity
- Analyzing satellite images
- Preparing, conducting and coordinating surveys in Bengaluru, India, using a wide portfolio of methods
- Analysis of primary and secondary data
- Analysis of the influences of governance on place-making processes
- Identifying regionally-sensitive pathways towards sustainable place-making
- Engagement in theory building
- Presenting own research results in project-related seminars, workshops and conferences and preparing scientific publications
- Working in partnership with project partners to develop collaborative research outputs

**Requirements**:

- Completed academic degree in urban planning, urban studies or related fields. The required degree must be available by the recruitment date at the latest.
- Experience in qualitative social science research
- Fluency in English language (proven by internet-based TOEFL of at least 80 points, IELTS, or equivalent language certificate)
- Knowledge of German (at least B1)
- Willingness to travel / conduct field work in India for several months per year
- Ability and willingness to work in a dedicated team with an international and intercultural background in India and Germany

**Advantages are**:

- Experience with field work in the Global South
- Experience in quantitative social science research
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to facilitate effective collaboration with international partners

For further information refer to the project website
**Our Offer**:
As an employee of the University of Kassel
- you will be offered an interesting and diverse range of tasks within the framework of a modern and ambitious university,
- you will be part of an interdisciplinary team with a good and collegial working atmosphere,
- you will have the opportunity to participate in professional and interdisciplinary further education measures,
- is your workplace with good connections to public transport, which you can currently use free of charge.

In addition, you will benefit from the advantages of employment in the public service such as:

- an additional company pension (VBL),
- an optional child supplement in accordance with TV-Hessen, a family-friendly university (including childcare for emergencies),
- an annual bonus
- an entitlement to capital-accumulation benefits,
- a promotion of voluntary commitment,
- low-cost participation in university sports and a full range of fitness activities as part of Unifit, as well as workplace health management

You can find more jobs at stellen.uni-kassel.de
FAQ
bewerbungen[at]uni-kassel.de
The University of Kassel is very interested in the professional satisfaction of its employees. It is distinguished as a family-friendly university and, in the interests of equal opportunities, strives to offer everyone the same opportunities for development and to counteract existing disadvantages. It promotes the Family Welcome Service and also the Dual Career Service for positions that are scientifically and academically filled. One of the strategic goals of the University of Kassel is to significantly increase the proportion of women in research and teaching. Applications from women are therefore particularly welcome. Seriously handicapped and equivalent applicants are given preference if they have the same suitability, qualifications and professional performance. Full-time positions are generally divisible (except when filling civil servant positions). Applications indicating the Position Number, which may be in digital form, should be sent to the President of the University of Kassel, 34109 Kassel, Germany quoting the applicable reference number.