Postdoc Position in Teacher Professional Development, University of Tübingen, Germany

Summary

The Hector Institute for Empirical Educational Research at the University of Tübingen is seeking a motivated postdoctoral researcher (m/f/d, E13 TV-L, 100%) specializing in teacher professional development. The position is initially offered for a three-year term, with the possibility of a three-year extension following a positive evaluation. The selected candidate will focus on the design, implementation, and evaluation of teacher training programs, including randomized field studies in history education and gifted education projects. Applicants must hold a doctorate in psychology, empirical educational research, teacher education, or a related field, possess strong quantitative research skills, and be fluent in both German and English. Applications including a CV and certificates are due by November 22, 2026.

Key Facts

Employer	University of Tübingen
Department	Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, Hector Institute for Empirical Educational Research
Position Type	Postdoc
Discipline	Psychology / Educational Research
Research Area	Teacher Professional Development
Degree Required	Doctorate in Psychology, Empirical Educational Research, Teacher Education, or a related discipline
Experience	Experience in the design, implementation, and evaluation of empirical studies in the area of teaching and learning, as well as very good knowledge of quantitative research methods and data analysis.
Salary	E13 TV-L (100%)
Funding	Third-party funding for specific projects
Contract Duration	3 years, with option for extension for another 3 years following positive evaluation
Language	German and English
Deadline	2026-11-22
Required Documents	CV, Certificates
Employer Contact	Prof. Dr. Ulrich Trautwein ([email protected]); application email: [email protected]
Employer Address	Geschwister-Scholl-Platz, 72074, Baden-Württemberg

About the Project

The role involves conceptualizing, implementing, and evaluating teacher training interventions. Key tasks include conducting randomized field studies within third-party funded history education projects, as well as working on gifted education initiatives utilizing online formats.

Key Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, test, implement, and evaluate teacher professional development programs.
• Conduct randomized field studies within third-party funded history education projects.
• Work on gifted education projects, including online formats.
• Develop an independent research profile within the institute's Research Hubs.
• Collaborate closely with institute team members and leadership.

Required Skills

• Very good doctorate in psychology, empirical educational research, teacher education, or a related field.
• Experience in designing, conducting, and evaluating empirical studies on teaching and learning.
• Very good knowledge of quantitative research methods and data analysis.
• Visibility through relevant scientific publications.
• Very good German and English language skills.
• Strong teamwork, networking abilities, independence, and personal commitment.

Who Should Apply

Postdoctoral researchers with a strong doctorate in psychology, empirical educational research, teacher education, or related disciplines who have expertise in quantitative methods and an interest in teacher training research.

Benefits

• Competitive remuneration under E13 TV-L (100%).
• Option to extend the contract for an additional three years following positive evaluation.
• Inspiring, productive, and collaborative work environment.
• Intensive mentoring and continuous professional development opportunities.
• Support for scientific publishing and public engagement.
• Integration into the LEAD Graduate School & Research Network and the PACE Tübingen Postdoctoral Academy for Research on Education.

About the Employer

The Hector Institute for Empirical Educational Research is an internal research institute at the University of Tübingen focusing on individual, social, and institutional determinants of learning and educational processes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the application deadline?

The application deadline is November 22, 2026.

What is the duration of the employment contract?

The position is initially limited to three years, with an option to extend for an additional three years after a positive evaluation.

What languages are required for this role?

Very good German and English skills are required for working in the international team.

What documents need to be submitted?

Applicants should submit a complete application including a CV and certificates in a single PDF document.