Research Technologist for the 'Unmasking Supply Chains' Project (3 years, full-time)

The project Unmasking Supply Chains: leveraging digital human rights investigations for corporate accountability is looking for a research technologist to support the project team and the Supply Chain Investigations Lab. You will be part of an interdisciplinary research team for a project that sits at the intersection of academic research and human rights-related investigative practice. This position requires a high degree of independence and is open to applicants who hold a doctoral degree in a relevant discipline, a Master's degree and at least 3 years of relevant work experience, or a Bachelor's degree and at least 5 years of relevant work experience.

Unmasking Supply Chains is a trans- and interdisciplinary research project conducted in partnership with the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) and based at the FAU Chair for Human Rights Politics. The research connects two important areas of transformation in the human rights field: the innovative use of digital open source information for human rights investigations, and the expanding legal frameworks on human rights in supply chains, which offer new pathways towards corporate accountability. The project team at FAU, consisting of a principal investigator, two doctoral researchers (Law and Political Science) and the technologist (you), will explore the use of open source fact-finding techniques to trace supply chains and critically reflect on the potential and limitations of using open source data and technologies to advance corporate accountability. In addition to traditional academic research, the project team will set up a Supply Chain Investigations Lab at FAU to work with students on digital supply chain investigations.

This position is ideal for someone who wants to use their technical expertise and skills to support efforts to hold corporations to account for human rights abuses and/or environmental harm, while engaging in joint critical reflection on the work with an interdisciplinary team.

Beyond the project, this is an exciting time to join FAU if you have an interest in human rights research. Since January 2026, FAU leads the Excellence Cluster Transforming Human Rights , a multi-year research initiative involving 15 partners from around the globe and four German institutions. You will be able to connect to ongoing research and activities in this international consortium.

TERMS OF CONTRACT
You will be hired as a full-time researcher for a period of 3 years in accordance with the German TVL (Collective Agreement for the public service) salary scale (depending on qualifications, up to TVL-E13 at 100%, minimum 4300€ gross per month). We support flexible working hours and allow working from home, but regular in-person attendance at the office is expected and ++fully remote work from outside Germany will not be possible++. Expected start date: 1 February 2027.

Benefits: We Have a Lot To Offer

• Regular promotion to the next level and increase in salary pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement for the public service of the German Länder (TV-L) or remuneration pursuant to the Bavarian Public Servants Remuneration Act (BayBesG) plus an additional annual bonus
• 30 days annual leave at five working days per week with additional free days on December 24 and 31
• Occupational pension scheme and asset accumulation savings scheme

• Place of work within comfortable walking distance of public transport
• Family-friendly environment with childcare options, also during school holidays
• Flexible working hours
• Training courses and opportunities for professional development

Your Tasks

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Actively participate in the Supply Chain Investigations Lab, working in close collaboration with the doctoral researchers, students, and the principal investigator.
  
  • Propose, develop, and implement new methods and tools for the Supply Chain Investigations Lab, for example for data collection, processing and analysis. This includes exploring automation and critically-informed use of artificial intelligence in the context of the Lab.
  • Establish and maintain digital security and data protection practices for the Lab.
  • Document the data models, methodologies, and tools developed for the Lab for use by non-technical researchers and students, and maintain this documentation as the Lab's methods evolve.
• Participate in the preparation and implementation of project-related training activities for students and partners, for example on open source investigations.
• Co-develop a training curriculum and research guide on supply chain investigations.
• Present work at academic or non-academic conferences.
• Contribute to project-related outcomes and publications.

Your Profile

QUALIFICATIONS

• Completed Bachelor degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Computational Social Sciences, or similar and at least 5 years of relevant work experience, OR a Master's degree or equivalent in any of the aforementioned subjects and at least 3 years of relevant work experience, OR a PhD in any of the aforementioned or similar subjects and relevant practical experience.
• A demonstrable interest in or knowledge of open source investigations and human rights. Knowledge of business and human rights or supply chain investigations is an asset.
• Working-level command of English language, other languages are an asset.
• Proficient in extracting data from the internet via both official (API) and unofficial (scraping) methods.
• Proficiency in one or more programming languages (e.g., Python, R).
• Proficient with data munging, cleaning, analysis, and visualisation.
• Strong understanding of open source software principles and experience in contributing to open source projects.
• Experience in software development.
• Familiarity with version control systems (e.g., Github).
• Excellent problem-solving and debugging skills.
• Proficient with Linux and the command line.
• Familiarity with generative AI technologies (e.g. ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini) and an interest in learning about the critically informed application of machine learning methodologies to open source research.
• Familiarity with network analysis/mapping and graph databases.
• Desirable: familiarity with follow-the money methodologies and supply chain mapping methods and software tools.
  
  Note: we do not expect applicants to meet all the requirements, but we expect you to be curious and have the necessary skills and knowledge to quickly acquire new relevant skills in the process of performing your functions (you will be given time to do so). If you think that you would be a good fit for the position, we encourage you to apply even if you do not have all the qualifications listed here.
  
  ADDITIONAL SKILLS
• Ability to work across disciplines
• Ability to explain/translate technical concepts and processes to a non-technical audience.
• Ability to critically reflect on the use of technology and interest in doing so.
• Curiosity.
• Creativity.
• Ability to self-organise and self-motivate.
• Ability to work as part of a team.

Additional Information

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please upload your application (++following the instructions below++) by 13 September 2026 (eod/CET). Applications sent by e-mail will not be reviewed.

Please refrain from using Generative AI in writing your application (except for grammar/spelling). It will be reviewed by a human who is genuinely interested in your motivation for applying.

Please combine the following documents into a single pdf file and upload them in the 'Attachments' section. All documents should be in English.
• Motivation letter (max. 2 pages). Do not skip the Motivation letter. You can write "see motivation letter" in the Motivation field (no need to duplicate).
• CV
• If applicable: portfolio of tools and/or tutorials
• Contact details of 2 references
• Certificates of all university degrees and transcripts of records (in original language)

Shortlisted candidates may be asked to complete an assignment. Virtual interviews are expected to take place in early October 2026.

For questions about the position, please contact Dr. Lene Guercke: [email protected].