17.10.2024
Postdoctoral research fellow (f/m/d)
WZB Berlin Social Science Center
For its interdisciplinary research department Migration, Integration, Transnationalization (MIT), headed by Prof. Ruud Koopmans, the Berlin Social Science Center (WZB) is looking for a
Postdoctoral research fellow (f/m/d) (ID 300)
for a full-time appointment (39 hours per week) of two and a half years. The preferred starting date is 01 January 2025. Recruitment is subject to the prior approval of funds.
The WZB Berlin Social Science Center is a publicly financed research institution that conducts cutting 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 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. MIT research takes an interdisciplinary perspective, encompassing sociology, political science, social psychology, economics, law, and political philosophy.
The current position is situated in the project “Unequal trajectories: Spatial dynamics in refugees‘ multidimensional integration” (UneTra; WZB lead Jonas Wiedner). UneTra is a collaborative project by the WZB, the Leibniz Institute for Educational Trajectories (LifBi), and the Institute for Employment Research (IAB). It examines the role of the residential environment and of residential mobility in the integration of refugees in Germany since 2013. Using innovative analytical approaches, the project investigates what kinds of neighborhoods different refugee groups settle in, and how these neighborhoods shape the integration of adults and the development of children.
Your tasks and duties
- Design and conduct research projects within the UneTra framework and produce high-quality international publications
- Active collaboration with project partners at WZB, LIfBi and IAB
- (Co-)Preparation of one workshop aimed at international researchers and one conference aimed at the professional public
- One or two research stays at the secure data center of the IAB in Nürnberg to conduct analyses with restricted access register data
Your qualification profile
- Ph.D. degree in sociology, political science, economics or related disciplines (obtained already or soon to be completed)
- Strong track record in theory-driven, quantitative empirical research
- Substantive interest in refugee integration and immigrant assimilation/integration/incorporation theories
- Excellent quantitative methodological skills, ideally including experience in causal analysis with observational and experimental data
- Experience in working with complex survey, register and/or spatial data
- Excellent English writing and communication skills
- Knowledge of German is welcome but not required
Our offer
- Remuneration in accordance with EG 14 TVöD Bund (German civil service collective agreement)
- Additional benefits for public service employees (VBL U)
- Advice and support regarding visa and residence permit
- A well-equipped workplace in the center of Berlin
- 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 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 attractive common rooms
- Reduced monthly ticket for local public transport (Jobticket or Deutschlandticket Job)
- The research of postdoctoral fellows is supported by research assistants, travel funding, as well as opportunities to invite external collaborators and speakers.
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.
Candidates are requested to submit the following documents in a single PDF-file via the WZB application portal.
- Letter of motivation (no longer than two pages)
- CV
- Statement on candidate’s past experience or training in causal analysis of observational data (one page)
- Copies of job-relevant certificates
We will evaluate all complete applications received until November 17, 2024 via our online portal. Job interviews will likely take place between December 9 and 11, 2024.
If you have any questions regarding the job opening, please contact Jonas Wiedner at applications-mit[at]wzb.eu.
Have we sparked your interest? In that case, we are looking forward to receiving your application via the WZB application portal: https://wzb.hr4you.org/job/apply/342/postdoctoral-research-fellow-f-m-x-id-300?page_lang=en
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