Predoctoral Research Fellow (f/m/d) at Leibniz Gemeinschaft

18.11.2024

Predoctoral Research Fellow (f/m/d)

WZB Berlin Social Science Center

The Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung gGmbH (WZB Berlin Social Science Centre), research department Institutions and Political Inequality IPI (Director: Professor Macartan Humphreys) seeks to hire

A Predoctoral Research Fellow (f/m/d) (ID 303)

with a contract duration of three years. The expected start date is flexible: earliest start date is 1 April, 2025, latest 1 September, 2025. The appointment is made at 75% of the regular working hours (currently 29,25 hours/week).

The WZB Berlin Social Science Center is a publicly financed research institution that conducts leading edge theory-based and problem-oriented social science research (http://www.wzb.eu/en). WZB researchers come from across the globe and work across social science disciplines including sociology, political science, economics, law, and psychology. A member of the Leibniz Association, WZB’s research is directed at the science community, policy makers, the media and the general public.

The research department Institutions and Political Inequality (IPI) uses observational and experimental methods to study major problems related to political inequality, intergroup conflict, and international development. We expect the thematic focus for this position to be on political violence and open to a candidate working either on empirical analyses, formal theory, or both. There is special interest in the groups on the logic and legacies of violence between identity groups. The accepted person will be expected to join a PhD cohort at Humboldt University.

Beyond your dissertational research, your tasks and duties will include:

Conducting research on projects in the department
Conducting statistical analysis
Developing new instruments for data collecting
Initiating new research projects

Your qualification and profile will likely include:

Completed master degree in a social science discipline or statistics
Very good statistical skills including competence in R and/or STATA
Excellent English writing and communication skills (English is the working language of the department)
Preferably field work experience

Our offer:

Remuneration in accordance with EG 13 TVöD Bund (German public service collective agreement)
Additional benefits for public service employees (VBL U)
A well-equipped workplace in the center of Berlin
Active support by research assistants, travel funding and access to small and medium-scale research funds for data collection, as well as opportunities to invite external collaborators and speakers
International, cooperative, and diversified working environment
In-depth integration into the scientific community through participation in colloquiums and conferences
Flexible working hours and the possibility of mobile working (at least 20% of the weekly working hours agreed in the contract)
We promote a good work-life balance
Comprehensive program for continuous professional development and further qualification, in the own discipline and beyond
Cafeteria with modern recreation rooms
Discounted VBB (Berlin public transport) company ticket

Equally qualified applicants with disabilities will be given preference. We value diversity and welcome all applications – irrespective of gender, nationality, ethnic or social origin, religion, disability, age, or sexual orientation. WZB expressly encourages women or people with developing country backgrounds to apply.

Application procedure:

Candidates are requested to submit the following documents (all in English) in a single PDF-file via the WZB application portal:

Cover letter outlining career goals, research interests including possible topics of interest, statistical skills, experience supporting social scientific research, and names for up to three letter writers that could support your application
Writing sample
CV
Please ask one writer to send a reference letter directly to application-ipi(at)wzb.eu with “[your last name] IPI predoc reference letter” in the subject line and advise other writers that letters might be requested in case of shortlisting.

We will evaluate all complete applications received by (and including) 12 January, 2025.

Job interviews will likely take place in early February 2025.

If you have any questions regarding this job opening, please contact application-ipi(at)wzb.eu.

Have we caught your interest? In that case, we are looking forward to receiving your application via our online application toolby January 12th, 2025.

More information about the WZB can be found at http://www.wzb.eu/en and about the IPI research group IPI at https://www.wzb.eu/en/research/political-economy-of-development/institutions-and-political-inequality.

Predoctoral Research Fellow (f/m/d)