[EASST-Eurograd] Post Doc Position in Empirical Computational Ethics at Goethe University Frankfurt/Center for Critical Computational Studies

[Helm, Paula Marie via Eurograd]

Dear STS Community,

We’re hiring a Postdoc in Empirical Computational Ethics (100%, E13, 3 years) at Goethe University Frankfurt — C³S (Center for Critical Computational Studies).
https://www.c3s-frankfurt.de/what_we_do/ece

If your work sits at the intersection of STS / Critical Data Studies / Responsible AI / Feminist Technoscience / Postcolonial Computing, this role could be for you: a chance to help shape a newly forming research group with strong institutional support, real interdisciplinary collaboration, and time for independent research and publishing. This is not a project-based position so it gives you the freedom to bring and realise your own projects and ideas. PhD candidates that are close to finishing are also welcome to apply.

What you’ll do:
- Develop independent research and publications (e.g., epistemic justice/injustice by omission, biases & consequences, diversity, foundation models, data workers’ rights, Critical AI Studies, lab ethnography)
- Teach (topics around FAccT / Computing as Culture / Digital STS)
- Co-supervise theses in STS/Sociology, co-build a lively research environment (colloquia, visitors)
- Contribute to grant writing (and get support for your own proposals: Marie Curie, Emmy Noether, etc.)

What we offer:
Flexible working hours • strong research infrastructure • family-friendly employer • vibrant interdisciplinary surroundings • a vision and hope-driven team spirit
Deadline: 24 March 2026

Application:

Please submit your application (in English or German) by 24.03.2026, including cover letter, detailed CV (including a list of publications), a 1-

page teaching plan, a 2-page research plan for the next three years by e-mail to: appli...@c3s.uni-frankfurt.de. We ask that you submit

your application as a single compiled PDF file, not exceeding 10MB. Online interviews will take place in April 2026.

 appli...@c3s.uni-frankfurt.de

Interviews: April 2026 | Start: ideally 01 May 2026 but negotiable

Find the official, long-form job post below. In case you have questions, please PM me.

And if you know someone excellent in this space, I’d be grateful if you shared this post. 

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The Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Frankfurt am Main is one of the largest universities in Germany with around 41,000 students and with about 5,800 employees. Founded in 1914 by Frankfurt citizens and since 2008 once again proud of its foundation status Goethe University possesses a high degree of autonomy, modernity and professional diversity. As a comprehensive university, the Goethe University offers a total of 16 departments on five campuses and 155 degree programs along with an outstanding research reputation. Furthermore, the Goethe University is part of the Group of Rhine-Main-Universities (RMU). The Center for Critical Computational Studies (C³S) at Goethe-University Frankfurt am Main invites applications for a position in Empirical Computational Ethics at the convergence of Science Technology Studies and Responsible Computing, as a

Postdoctoral Researcher (m/f/d)

(E 13 TV-G-U)

 starting on 01.05.2026 for a fixed term of three years. The salary grade is based on the job characteristics of the collective agreement applicable to Goethe University (TV-G-U).

 The “Center for Critical Computational Studies” (C³S) is an interdisciplinary scientific institution and, as such, a central research center of Goethe University (www.c3s-frankfurt.de). The mission of C³S is to establish and enhance the profile of “Critical Computational Studies” as an inter- and transdisciplinary research field with international visibility. In this context, C³S is active in teaching, research, and knowledge transfer. As an interdisciplinary scientific institution of Goethe University, the center provides opportunities to bring together researchers from all departments, academic cultures, disciplines, and thematic areas within the context of “Critical Computational Studies,” and to foster both national and international networking. C³S is committed to scientific excellence and to the guidelines for ensuring good scientific practice, as well as to promoting and supporting the early independence of researchers at the early stages of their careers.

Your tasks include, among others:

• participation in research and teaching within the Research Group “Empirical Computational Ethics”, with emphasis on Science and Technology Studies, Critical Data Studies, Responsible AI, Postcolonial Computing and/or Feminist Technoscience
• independent research on topics such as data workers’ rights, consequences of biases, epistemic justice/injustice by omission, diversity, postcolonial computing, and foundation models
• active publication in the above-mentioned areas
• teaching courses on subjects related to FAccT, Responsible Computing, Digital STS, Postcolonial Studies, Feminist Technoscience (up to the candidate’s discretion) in accordance with the Higher Education Act of Hessen
• co-supervision of undergraduate and graduate dissertations
• contribution to the extracurricular activities of the chair, e.g., supporting international visiting scholars or organizing colloquia and talks
• supporting and participating in grant writing for external funding for the research group “Empirical Computational Ethics”, support will also be provided in writing individual grant proposals (e.g. Emmy-Noether, Marie Curie, etc.)
• participation in conferences and events related to the research focus of the chair
  We expect from you:
• a completed university degree and PhD with excellent academic performance in a social or information science field relevant to Empirical Computational Ethics; due to the subject matter, applications with relevant degrees in fields such information science, sociology, media studies, anthropology, peace and conflict studies will be given preferential consideration
• excellent skills in researching issues related to Empirical Computational Ethics and experience in qualitative methods and critical computational experiments
• high affinity for interdisciplinary research (e.g., demonstrated through a PhD dissertation, publications, or internships)
• willingness to work collaboratively in a newly forming research group and center
• willingness to travel (e.g., for conferences or field research)
• strong conceptual, strategic, analytical, and academic writing skills
• excellent written and spoken communication skills in English
• for non-German speakers: ability and willingness to obtain a B2-level German language certificate within the first two years 

What We Offer: Goethe University, as a family-friendly employer, offers flexible working hours, its own collective agreement, and currently a free LandesTicket Hessen for public transportation. The workplace is currently located on the Westend Campus, one of the most modern and beautiful university campuses in Germany, in the heart of Frankfurt am Main, with a park-like setting and good public transport connections. Goethe University is committed to equal opportunity, family friendliness, and diversity. To strengthen the diversity of perspectives and lived experiences within the university, applications from individuals with a migration background and from members of other groups that have so far been underrepresented are particularly welcome. Applicants with a severe disability, or those legally equivalent, will be given preferential consideration in cases of equal suitability. If women are underrepresented in a faculty or administrative unit, they will be given preferential consideration in cases of equal qualifications.
Application: Please submit your application (in English or German) by 24.03.2026, including cover letter, detailed CV (including a list of publications), a 1-page teaching plan, a 2-page research plan for the next three years by e-mail to: appli...@c3s.uni-frankfurt.de. We ask that you submit your application as a single compiled PDF file, not exceeding 10MB. Online interviews will take place in April 2026. Please note that the application documents will not be returned. Costs incurred during the application process will not be reimbursed by Goethe University.

_____________________

Prof. Dr. Paula Helm

Empirical Computational Ethics

C3S Center for Critical Computational Studies

Goethe University Frankfurt

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