Assistant Professorship in Digital Music Cultures, University of Oldenburg, Germany

Summary

The Faculty III – Linguistics and Cultural Studies at the University of Oldenburg invites applications for a Junior Professorship (W1 with Tenure Track W2) in 'Digital Music Cultures'. The appointment is initially for three years as a temporary civil servant, with an extension for another three years upon positive evaluation, leading to a permanent W2 professorship upon successful tenure completion. The role involves teaching and research in digital music cultures and digital humanities, participation in the interdisciplinary Digital Social Sciences and Humanities (DSSH) initiative, and teaching in both German and English. Candidates must hold a relevant doctorate in musicology, media studies, cultural studies, or a closely related field, demonstrate teaching experience, and present research and teaching concepts. Applications must be submitted online via the appointment portal by November 22, 2026.

Key Facts

Employer	University of Oldenburg
Department	Fakultät III – Sprach- und Kulturwissenschaften, Institut für Musik, Digital Social Sciences and Humanities (DSSH)
Position Type	Juniorprofessur (W1 mit Tenure Track W2)
Discipline	Musicology / Media Studies / Cultural Studies
Research Area	Digital Music Cultures / Digital Humanities
Degree Required	Doctorate in Musicology, Media Studies, Cultural Studies or a related discipline
Experience	Early career stage; university teaching experience in music, cultural, or media studies; experience in competitive third-party funding acquisition.
Salary	Pay grade W1 with Tenure Track to W2
Funding	Funded by zukunft.niedersachsen (Lower Saxony Ministry for Science and Culture and VolkswagenStiftung)
Contract Duration	3 + 3 years (temporary civil servant status for 3 years, renewable for 3 more upon positive evaluation, leading to tenure track W2)
Language	German and English (German at near-native level or acquired within two years; excellent spoken and written English)
Deadline	2026-11-22
Required Documents	Research concept (max. 4 pages), Teaching concept (max. 2 pages)
Employer Address	Ammerländer Heerstraße 114–118, 26129, Lower Saxony

About the Project

The professorship aims to shape the profile of the Institute of Music in the area of Digital Humanities combined with Cultural and Media Studies. Research focuses on digital music cultures, contributing to the university-wide Digital Social Sciences and Humanities (DSSH) initiative, particularly in the thematic areas of 'Culture' and 'Literacy', alongside developing networks with practical partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct research and teaching in the field of digital music cultures and digital humanities
• Participate actively in cooperative or collaborative projects within the Digital Social Sciences and Humanities (DSSH) initiative
• Develop networks and collaborations with practical partners in business, education, culture, and politics
• Teach courses in German and English across music-related degree programs
• Coordinate and further develop music-related study programs, taking primary responsibility for the MA Integrated Media upon successful tenure track completion
• Participate in academic self-governance and active collaboration with the University of Bremen

Required Skills

• Completed doctorate in musicology, media studies, cultural studies, or a neighboring discipline
• Independent research profile in 'Digital Music Cultures' with a focus on Digital Humanities
• Proven university teaching experience in music, cultural, or media studies
• Experience in competitive third-party funding acquisition
• Very good written and spoken English skills, and near-native German skills (or willingness to acquire sufficient German skills within two years)
• Experience in supervising and promoting academic career development

Who Should Apply

Early-career researchers holding a PhD in musicology, media studies, cultural studies, or related fields with a clear profile in digital music cultures and digital humanities. Applicants should have teaching experience, preliminary experience in third-party funding acquisition, and high proficiency in English and German.

Benefits

• Creative, international, and inspiring work environment
• Extensive support services for international scientists, family-work balance, and research funding applications
• Specific Digital Humanities services provided by the Library and Information System (BIS)
• Comprehensive continuing education opportunities and occupational health promotion
• Certified family-friendly university campus with good infrastructure

About the Employer

The Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, specifically Faculty III (Linguistics and Cultural Studies) and its Institute of Music, focuses on interdisciplinary research combining philology, art, and cultural studies with practical applications, including a cross-faculty initiative for Digital Social Sciences and Humanities (DSSH).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the duration of the contract?

The position is initially for 3 years as a temporary civil servant, extendable for another 3 years upon positive evaluation, leading to a W2 professorship via tenure track.

What are the language requirements for this position?

Very good English language skills and near-native German skills are required. If near-native German is not held at appointment, the candidate must be willing to acquire sufficient skills within two years.

How should applications be submitted?

Applications must be submitted exclusively via the official appointment portal (https://jobs.uol.de) by November 22, 2026.