Research Associate (w/m/d)

At the Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, two positions as

Research Associate (w/m/d)

with 65% of the regular weekly working hours (currently 25.87 hours/week) are to be filled at the Faculty of Theology in the subject of Old Testament, starting on 01.01.2027 or the next possible date, for a fixed term of 36 months each. Remuneration is according to Entgeltgruppe 13 TV-L.

The positions are part of the international research project “(Re-)Shaping Empires in the Hasmonean Era. The Impact of Hasmonean Ideology on the Biblical Representations of the Babylonian and Persian Empires” (FWF/DFG). The project examines the influence of political and ideological interests of the Hasmonean era on the biblical representations of the Babylonian and Persian Empires. The focus is on literary, redaction, and text-historical analyses of selected texts from the Hebrew Bible and the Septuagint, which are combined with religious-historical, social-historical, and memory theory approaches. The goal is a reassessment of the significance of the Hasmonean era for the emergence and reception of biblical literature as well as for the formation of Jewish identity.

The two advertised positions are located in Sub-Project 1: Persian Empire. This sub-project examines, under the aforementioned aspects, the representation of the Persian Empire and its representatives in the books Ezra/Nehemiah, 1 Esdras, and 1–2 Maccabees.

The project is carried out in cooperation with the University of Graz (Prof. Dr. Katharina Pyschny), where the complementary Sub-Project 2: Babylonian Empire is located. Additionally, Prof. Dr. Benedikt Eckhardt (University of Edinburgh) participates in the project as a cooperation partner. Applicants can expect an international and interdisciplinary working environment with the opportunity for active participation in workshops, conferences, and publications.

Requirements: Above-average university degree in Protestant Theology or a closely related subject (Magister Theologiae, Master of Education, or equivalent). Specialization in the field of Old Testament. Relevant knowledge in the field of the history of Israel in the period of the Second Temple is required. Readiness to write a dissertation in the subject of Old Testament on a topic within the scope of the project, as well as to participate in the work processes and scientific events of the project. Enjoyment of intensive collaboration in an interdisciplinary and international team. Very good knowledge of Biblical Hebrew and Ancient Greek. Good written and spoken English skills.

The University of Göttingen aims to increase the proportion of women in areas where they are underrepresented and therefore strongly encourages qualified women to apply. It also considers itself a family-friendly university and promotes the compatibility of science/career and family. The university is particularly committed to the professional participation of employees with severe disabilities and therefore welcomes applications from people with severe disabilities. In the case of equal qualification, applications from people with severe disabilities will be given preference. For the protection of interests, a disability or equivalent status should already be included in the application.

Please send your application, including a short motivation letter (max. 500 words), a CV, your degree certificates, and a digital copy of your thesis, to Prof. Dr. Sarah Schulz (sarah.schulz@theologie.uni-goettingen.de) in electronic form (all documents in one PDF) by 22.07.2026. She will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

We look forward to your application!

Note: We point out that the submission of the application constitutes consent under data protection law to the processing of your applicant data by us. Further details on the legal basis and data use can be found here: Information sheet on the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) https://uni-goettingen.de/DSGVO