Junior Professor of Social Law

1 Apr 2026
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz

Research Field

Juridical sciences » Social law

Researcher Profile

Established Researcher (R3)

Positions

Other Positions

Application Deadline

30 Apr 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Berlin)

Country

Germany

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

40

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by a EU programme

Reference Number

00826-02-W1-nk

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) is one of the largest universities in Germany. Thanks to its location in the Rhine-Main science region, the university can exploit its full potential and showcase its dynamic innovative power. Its status as a comprehensive university allows for multidisciplinary learning and teaching, in turn paving the way for internationally renowned, interdisciplinary research. Almost all of its faculties and departments are located on a single campus close to the Mainz city center, creating a lively academic culture for researchers, teaching staff, and students from all over the world.

The Department of Educational Science at Faculty Social Studies, Media Studies & Sports invites applications for the position of 
Junior Professor of Social Law
to be filled at the earliest possible date.
Salary grade W 1 LBesG | Civil servant with a fixed-term contract

The junior professorship is part of the Social Pedagogy research group at the Department of Educational Science and focuses on topics at the intersection of law and social pedagogy. Tasks are performed independently and on one's own initiative. Relevant broader research themes include issues related to the institutional and organizational structuring of pedagogical programs and services from a legal perspective. Further fields of research and development concern the legally regulated framework of inclusive child and youth welfare, as well as challenges in the field of child protection.

Tasks and expectations:

• We are looking for a candidate (m/f/d) early in their career who is able to represent social law competently in research and teaching. This professorship is distinguished by its unique role in bridging legal studies and social pedagogy.
• In addition to research, the professorship contributes to teaching in the BA and MA programs in Educational Sciences with a focus on Social Pedagogy by providing foundational knowledge in social law, with particular attention to legal expertise and professional competences related to the protection of vulnerable groups.
• For tuition excellent German language skills are required.
• Within academic self-governance, active participation is expected in the development of degree programs, particularly in the context of obtaining state recognition under the revised State Act on the Recognition of Social Workers and Social Pedagogues (SoAnG; Landesgesetz zur staatlichen Anerkennung von Sozialarbeiter:innen sowie Sozialpädagog:innen).
   

Where to apply

Website

https://berufungsportal.uni-mainz.de/ausschreibungen/57%3Flang%3Dde

Requirements

Research Field

Juridical sciences » Social law

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Requirements:

• In addition to the general requirements according to public services law, applicants must meet the recruitment requirements stipulated in Section 54 of the Hochschulgesetz of Rhineland-Palatinate.
• Successfully completed studies in German law (“Erste Prüfung“ in Rechtswissenschaft). Having completed the “2. Staatsexamen” in German Law is advantageous but not a prerequisite.
• A PhD in Social Science or German Law; a relation of the thesis to the denomination is an advantage.  

The state of Rhineland-Palatinate and JGU are committed to close personal mentoring of students and therefore expect teaching staff to have a strong presence at the university. A cooperative, team-oriented and proactive work attitude, strong communication skills, and the willingness to assume responsibility – including further professional development in accordance with JGU’s leadership guidelines – is also expected.

Junior professors are appointed as civil servants for a period of six years. In the fourth year, the junior professor’s performance level will be evaluated in order to provide orientation for the following three years.
 

Additional Information
Benefits

JGU firmly supports making family and career compatible and promotes its employees’ further professional development with an extensive human resources development offer.  

JGU is diverse and welcomes qualified applications from people with varied backgrounds. [or, alternatively] JGU values the diversity of its professorial body.

JGU aims to increase the number of women in research and teaching and therefore encourages female researchers to apply. 
People with severe disabilities and people with disabilities who are treated equally in accordance with Section 2 (3) SGB IX will be given preferential consideration if they are suitable.

 

Additional comments

Please submit your application, including CV, references, diplomas and certificates, as well as publications, third-party funds, previous teaching activity as well as teaching evaluations electronically until 30.04.2026 by using this link:

https://berufungsportal.uni-mainz.de/datenabfrage/SozialR   
For questions and further information, please contact Mrs.Tittel by e-mail: geschaeftsfuehrungfb02@uni-mainz.de . 

Information on data protection: https://karriere.uni-mainz.de/#hinweise-zum-datenschutz   
 

Website for additional job details

https://berufungsportal.uni-mainz.de/ausschreibungen/57%3Flang%3Dde

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Department of Educational Science

Country

Germany

State/Province

Rhineland-Palatinate

City

Mainz

Postal Code

55128

Geofield

Contact

State/Province

Rhineland-Palatinate

City

Mainz

Website

https://www.uni-mainz.de/eng/index.php

Street

Saarstr. 21

Postal Code

55122

E-Mail

geschaeftsfuehrungfb02@uni-mainz.de

STATUS: EXPIRED

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