Associate Professor in Economic Anthropology Tenure Track W3 in University of Bonn – Germany

Summary

The University of Bonn’s Faculty of Arts is hiring a W2 professor in Economic Anthropology on a tenure‑track to W3. The position is based at the Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies (BCDSS) and focuses on asymmetrical dependencies, covering topics such as political economy, moral economy, materiality, informal markets and labor relations. The successful candidate must hold a PhD in Social or Cultural Anthropology (or a related field) with habilitation or equivalent, demonstrate expertise in at least one of the listed sub‑areas, and have experience securing external funding and teaching at the master level. English‑language teaching is required, and the candidate must achieve C1‑level German within five years. Applications are due by 31 October 2026 via the university’s online portal.

Key Facts

Department	Faculty of Arts
Position Type	W2 Professorship with Tenure Track to W3
Discipline	Economic Anthropology
Research Area	Asymmetrical Dependencies
Degree Required	PhD in Social and Cultural Anthropology or related field and habilitation or equivalent
Experience	Experience securing external funding; relevant teaching experience; international interdisciplinary teaching and research experience
Language	English (teaching) and German (C1 proficiency within five years)
Deadline	2026-10-31
Employer Address	Faculty of Arts University of Bonn Bonn Germany
Employer Contact	[email protected]

About the Project

The professorship will advance research on asymmetrical dependencies, investigating how economic, political and moral forces shape material and social relations. The work will integrate historical perspectives with contemporary analyses of informal markets, labor relations, and the materiality of human interactions, contributing to the interdisciplinary agenda of the Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies.

Key Responsibilities

• Cover the full scope of social and cultural anthropology in research and teaching
• Teach English‑language master courses in Dependency and Slavery Studies and cultural anthropology modules
• Develop and lead research on asymmetrical dependencies, including political economy, moral economy, materiality, informal markets and labor relations
• Secure external research funding
• Participate in academic self‑governing bodies
• Contribute to internationalisation and joint research initiatives within BCDSS

Required Skills

• PhD in Social or Cultural Anthropology and habilitation or equivalent
• Expertise in at least one area: political economy, moral economy, humans and materiality, informal markets or labor relations
• Experience securing external funding
• Relevant teaching experience at master level
• Ability to teach in English
• Willingness to achieve C1 German within five years
• International and interdisciplinary research experience
• Commitment to academic self‑governance

Who Should Apply

Applicants should have a PhD in Social or Cultural Anthropology (or a closely related discipline) together with a habilitation or equivalent qualification. They must show research expertise in economic anthropology, especially in at least one area such as political economy, moral economy, materiality, informal markets or labor relations, and have a strong record of obtaining external funding. Proven teaching experience, particularly in English‑language master courses, and the ability to reach C1 German proficiency within five years are required. International and interdisciplinary experience and willingness to engage in university governance are also expected.

Benefits

• Affiliation with a Cluster of Excellence (BCDSS)
• Position at a University of Excellence with a 200‑year history
• International research environment
• Family‑friendly and equal‑opportunity policies

About the Employer

University of Bonn is a 200‑year‑old public research university in Germany with roughly 31,500 students and over 6,000 staff. It is designated as a University of Excellence and hosts the Cluster of Excellence Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies (BCDSS) within its Faculty of Arts. The university emphasizes open, respectful, non‑discriminatory academic culture and promotes equal opportunity, family friendliness and diversity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the application deadline?

The deadline is 31 October 2026.

How should I submit my application?

Apply via the online portal at https://berufungsportal.uni-bonn.de.

What language proficiency is required?

Teaching in English is required; candidates must achieve C1‑level German within five years.