PhD candidate (f/m/d) Economy and Civil Society

The Leibniz Institute for Research on Society and Space (IRS) in Erkner near Berlin, a non-university research institution and member of the Leibniz Association, is advertising the position as a

PhD candidate (f/m/d, TV-L E13)

for the lead project "Post-Office: Spatio-temporal transformation processes in knowledge-generating forms of collaboration" and the IRS bridging project "Disruption and Spatial Development" in the Research Area "Economy and Civil Society" as close to the time as possible.

The position is initially limited to twelve months, an extension for another three years on the basis of a meaningful research outline for a PhD project is explicitly sought.

About the project:

The lead project "Post-Office" pursues the goal of researching the future of collaborative and creative work proceeding the dominance of the classic office. On the one hand, the dynamics of change in knowledge-generating collaboration are to be understood and, on the other hand, the resulting consequences for urban and rural regions are to be derived. The research focuses on new spatial solutions of knowledge-generating collaboration, including their online and offline arrangements, as well as the potentially associated consequences for transformation processes in urban and rural regions. Special consideration will be given to disruptive events such as the Covid 19 pandemic. The PhD candidate will be part of an interdisciplinary team combining expertise from two research groups ("Creativity and Work" and "Social Innovations in Rural Areas") of the Research Area “Economy and Civil Society”. At the same time, the researcher to be hired will be involved in the cross-institutional project "Disruption and Spatial Development: Concepts on Spatio-Temporal Dynamics, Perceptions and Strategies for Action".

Your tasks will include:

• Conceptual and empirical collaboration in the lead project described above with a special focus on disruptive events that interrupt established routines and practices,
• Conducting your own research within the framework of the lead project with the goal of earning a doctoral degree,
• Preparation, planning, implementing and analyzing of empirical work,
• Collaboration in the organization and overall research process of the lead project,
• Publication of research results in peer-reviewed international journals,
• Presentation of research results at national and international events,
• Preparation of research results for a broader audience (participation in scientific communication, involvement of practitioners).

Your qualifications:

• Very good university degree (master level) in human geography (focus on economic or social geography), spatial sciences, sociology, organizational studies or other disciplines with an orientation towards spatial dynamics,
• Proven knowledge in qualitative and / or quantitative empirical social research,
• Theoretical knowledge of relational spaces, creativity, knowledge, digitalization, and disruption,
• Knowledge of the spatial effects of crises and disruptive events,
• Knowledge of new forms of working,
• Independent working style, openness to interdisciplinary collaboration and very good written and spoken English skills.

What we offer:

The IRS offers a varied job with a friendly, innovative and interdisciplinary team in a dynamic research environment. Working in a scientific team gives you the freedom to design and implement your own doctoral project, which is thematically linked to the above mentioned lead and bridging project. You will be involved in various forms of scientific exchange organized by the IRS, such as International Lectures or IRS Seminars. A self-organized doctoral group enables you to exchange ideas on topics relevant to your PhD-project. The institute also offers a wide range of opportunities for continuing education and is committed to the health care of its employees.

The IRS guarantees the professional equality of all persons according to the Federal Equal Opportunities Act (BGleiG) and strives for an open and non-discriminatory work culture. We expressly welcome applications from women. Applicants with severe disabilities will be given preference if they are equally qualified. The IRS supports the compatibility of work and family and has been certified as a family-conscious company since 2015. We offer flexible working hours, the possibility of mobile work and a job ticket.

If this job advertisement appeals to you, please send your application documents (letter of motivation, CV, certificates (of degrees), references as well as a self-authored text (such as a chapter of your master's thesis or your own publication) quoting the reference number 1123 in a PDF file by e-mail by 02.07.2023 to bewerbung(at)leibniz-irs.de.

Please direct any queries to:

Prof. Dr. Suntje Schmidt: suntje.schmidt(at)leibniz-irs.de, Tel. 03362/793-172

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