The independent research group “Space, Contexts, and Crime” at the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and Law (Freiburg, Germany) is seeking, starting in February 2022,
Two Postdoctoral Researchers (m/f/div)
The independent research group “Space, Contexts, and Crime” is part of the Department of Criminology. The Max Planck Institute is one of the leading interdisciplinary research institutions in its
field in Europe and part of the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science, one of the world’s most distinguished research organizations. Freiburg is a university town in southwest Germany at
the edge of the Black Forest, and close to Switzerland and France.
Objectives
Position A (FGO-21-06): The appointment in this project will be for
two and a half years. The successful applicant will work in the project “The Consequences of the Covid-19
Pandemic for Crime in Southwest Germany” and will analyze the changes in recorded crime during the current pandemic in association with fine-grained anonymized mobility data and a host of socio-demographic
and infrastructural data, applying spatio-temporal modeling at different geographic levels. The project will also develop GIS-based tools for monitoring crime risks based on multivariate model results.
Most of the data preparation is completed, and the appointee will concentrate on pursuing advanced spatial and longitudinal analyses, participate in the presentation and publication of novel findings,
all in close collaboration with the project team.
Position B (FGO-21-07): The appointment in this project will be for
two years. The successful applicant will work in the project “Crime, Insecurities, and Social
Dynamics in Urban Neighbourhoods”. Based on rich individual- and neighborhood-level panel data (four survey waves between 2014 and 2021 with 3000+ responents in 140 neighbourhoods, together with
contextual data), the project investigates individual and neighborhood change associated with crime, crime perceptions, collective efficacy, and related social processes. A special focus will be
on the consequences of immigration and segregation in urban contexts. Data collection is completed, and the appointee will concentrate on pursuing advanced multilevel and longitudinal analyses and
participate in the presentation and publication of novel findings, all in close collaboration with the project team.
Your profile
For both positions: We are looking for two social scientists or criminologists with a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree. The ideal candidates should have a strong background in quantitative
research methods, previous experience or interest in criminological research, and a good publication record. Excellent English language skills are essential.
For position A (FGO-21-06): Experience in longitudinal and geographic / spatial data analysis and familiarity with statistical and GIS software (Stata, R, ArcGIS / QGIS) are essential.
For position B (FGO-21-07): Experience in longitudinal and multilevel analysis of survey data and familiarity with statistical software (Stata, R, Mplus) are essential.
Our Offer
As a postdoctoral researcher, your salary will be calculated in accordance with your qualifications and previous experience, in line with the public sector employee levels E 13 or E 14 (TVöD Bund,
roughly €4,100 to €5,160 per month). The salary includes all mandatory social insurance contributions for healthcare, unemployment, and retirement benefits.
The Max Planck Society is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from disabled persons. It also aims to increase the percentage of female researchers in fields in which they are
underrepresented and therefore also expressly encourages women to apply. The Max Planck Society strives to ensure diversity and encourages applications from all backgrounds. We are committed to the
reconciliation of family and career and can offer flexible working arrangements.
Your application
To apply, please submit a letter of interest and an outline of your previous experience, a CV, academic transcripts, and two or more references online in one PDF file via the following link:
https://csl.mpg.de/en/career
(job number
FGO-21-06 or job number
FGO-21-07).
For further information, please contact Professor Dietrich Oberwittler (
d.oberwittler@csl.mpg.de). The deadline for application is November 30, 2021.