www.wzb.eu
For its interdisciplinary research department Migration, Integration, Transnationalization, headed by Prof. Ruud Koopmans, the Berlin Social Science Center (WZB) is looking for a full-time (39 hours per week)
Postdoctoral Research Fellow (f/m/x)
on a temporary basis with a contract duration of two years. The starting date is flexible, up to January 2022 at the latest.
WZB is a non-profit organization and a member of the Leibniz Association. WZB engages in research of fundamental societal questions from the perspectives of different disciplines. It is one of the most renowned institutions in the field of social sciences. The scientists who work together at the institute come from such fields as sociology, political science, economics, law, and psychology. The findings of WZB research are directed at the science community, the interested public, and also experts dealing with political and economic issues, with media, and society.
The Migration, Integration, Transnationalization department (MIT) of the WZB focuses on issues related to migration, integration, and majority-minority relations, including ethnic and religious conflicts as drivers of migration in source countries. The current position is situated in the context of the TRANSMIT project, in which we study migration drivers and trajectories, as well as ethnic and religious conflicts in West Africa, particularly Senegal, the Gambia, and Nigeria. Among other things, this project encompasses large-scale panel surveys in selected regions of these countries.
More information about the WZB can be found at
https://www.wzb.eu/en and about the MIT research unit at
https://www.wzb.eu/en/research/migration-and-diversity/migration-integration-transnationalization.
Your tasks and duties
- Conducting independent research and producing high-level international publications on migration and/or ethnic and religious conflicts
- Pursuing own research questions within the TRANSMIT project by using existing data and incorporating own research questions in future waves of the surveys (If desired, the research fellow can also, in addition to the TRANSMIT project, work on other topics.)
- Actively exploring opportunities for external funding, as the extension of the position beyond two years depends on the acquisition of third-party funding, either within the context of the TRANSMIT project, or from other sources
- Optional: teaching courses at universities in Berlin and participating in the various international exchange programs the WZB offers
Your qualifications profile
- Ph.D. degree in a relevant discipline (obtained already or soon to be completed) with a disciplinary background in political science, economics, or sociology
- Strong track record in theory-driven, quantitative empirical research
- Solid theoretical knowledge of migration processes and/or ethnic and religious conflicts
- Experience in dealing with the analysis (and ideally also the collection) of large-scale survey data
- Excellent knowledge of statistical methods, including the analysis of panel data and a firm grasp of approaches to causal inference
- An excellent command of the English language and at least a passive command of German
- Preferably: experience with the acquisition of external funding
- Preferably: command of French or one of the local languages of the countries of the TRANSMIT project
Our offer
- Remuneration in accordance with EG 14 (TVöD Bund) of the German civil 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 in the form of colloquiums and conferences
- Thorough instruction and guidance
- Flexible working hours
- We promote a good work-life balance, and our engagement has been certified by audit workandfamily and the European Commission’s Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R)
- Comprehensive program for continuous professional development and further qualification, in the own discipline and beyond
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 persons with migration backgrounds to apply.
If you have any questions regarding the job opening, please contact Elisabeth von Bressensdorf or Melinda Biolchini (
applications-mit@wzb.eu).
Job interviews will likely take place in the week starting on
21 June 2021.
Have we sparked your interest? In that case, we are looking forward to receiving your application by
30 May 2021. Candidates are invited to send applications electronically in a pdf-format (max. 2 pdf-files) consisting of
- a letter of motivation
- a short sketch of own research ideas for the coming 2-3 years (approximately 2 pages)
- CV and list of publication
- copies of relevant certificates
quoting “postdoctoral researcher MIT” in the subject line, to the address:
Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin
für Sozialforschung gGmbH (WZB) /
WZB Berlin Social Science Centre
Prof. Ruud Koopmans
email:
applications-mit@wzb.eu