Research associate/ Medical doctor

Witten/Herdecke University (UW/H) is Germany's first privately funded university. It was founded in 1982 and has since established itself as an important educational institution in Germany. It now employs more than 900 staff and has a total of 3,500 students enrolled in its faculties of Health and Business and Society in Witten.
 
We are seeking a new team member to join us as soon as possible. The position is 80% (32 hours per week, 0.8 FTE) and is initially limited until 30 September 2029. We are looking to establish a long-term working relationship.

The research associate will work for the WHO Collaborating Centre for Global Child Health at UW/H under the direct supervision of the holder of the Friede Springer Endowed Professorship for Global Child Health. The work will be carried out in an international, interdisciplinary environment in close cooperation with WHO/Europe and other national and international partners. The place of work is mainly Witten.

• Development of a detailed work plan with milestones for the four-year term of the WHO Collaborating Centre and quarterly progress assessments
• Design and implementation of a monitoring and evaluation plan (including accompanying research) and obtaining the necessary ethical approvals
• Establishment and maintenance of regular communication channels with WHO/Europe, country representatives and other relevant partners
• Developing, coordinating and implementing training materials and training plans in collaboration with international experts
• Planning and implementation of research projects, including data collection, evaluation and publication of results
• Organisation and implementation of workshops and seminars (online and on-site)
• Preparation of annual progress reports and presentation of results at national and international conferences
• Public relations work to disseminate the results
• Participation in university committees, research and teaching as required

Special features:
The position offers the opportunity to actively contribute to the further development of global strategies for improving children's health and to combine evidence-based approaches in research, teaching and practice.

Qualifications:

• Physician with a Master's degree in public health (MPH) or comparable qualification
• In-depth knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods
• Excellent oral and written English skills
• Clinical experience in paediatrics and adolescent medicine (0.2 FTE for clinical work possible)

Personal skills:

• Strong analytical and scientific skills
• High level of communication skills in an intercultural and multidisciplinary context
• Independent, structured and solution-oriented approach to work
• Ability to work in a team and organisational skills
• Ability to publish scientific papers and give presentations at an international level

If you currently live abroad, you should be willing to relocate to Germany on a temporary basis.

• Work-life balance (flexible working hours)
• 30 days of annual leave and additional bank holidays (24 to 31 December and three additional bank holidays)
• Reimbursement of childcare costs of up to €200 per month (depending on salary level and age of child)
• Company pension scheme
• A comprehensive training programme
• Promotion of environmentally friendly mobility (bike leasing, electric car rental, etc.)
• A wide range of culinary offerings in our cafeteria at employee prices
• A discounted Germany-wide rail ticket
• Various sports activities for employees

If you're interested, please apply by 11 November 2025 exclusively online, submitting the usual documents, your salary expectations, and your preferred starting date. We look forward to receiving your application.

Prof. Dr. med. Ralf Weigel, Friede Springer Endowed Professorship for Global Child Health

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at -