Postdoc in the Field of Social Inequality Research

The Leibniz-Institute for Educational Trajectories invites applications for the following full-time Postdoc research position (TV-L E13, 100%, payment group depending on qualification), which is, subject to the commitment of funding, preferably to be filled as of 01.10.2022 and limited to 36 months:

Postdoc in the Field of Social Inequality Research

The Leibniz-Institute for Educational Trajectories (LIfBi) is an independent infrastructure facility conducting empirical educational research and associated with the University of Bamberg. LIfBi is responsible for operating the National Educational Panel Study (NEPS). The main task of this long-term project is the provision of representative data on competence development and educational trajectories in Germany.

Your work environment

You are working in a team of about 200 employees with academic and non-academic work focus at our location in Bamberg. The position offered is part of the third-party funded research project (BMBF Federal Ministry of Education and Research) “Political attitudes and political participation in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic”. The project is integrated into the research unit „Returns to Education” in the department „Educational Decisions and Processes, Migration, Returns to Education”. Using several NEPS starting cohorts, the research project examines how and in which contexts political attitudes and the associated social and political participation change in the medium and long term and which social and regional disparities are at work. Thereby the project team works closely with other units of the LIfBi as well as external cooperation partners.

Your tasks

•     Independent development and implementation of scientific studies on pandemic-related changes in political attitudes as well as political and social participation as part of the project
•     Independent preparation and analysis of NEPS data with quantitative analysis methods
•     Publication of research results in international journals
•     Presentation of findings at national and international conferences
•     Representation and presentation of the project in committees and reporting
•     Guidance of student assistants
•     Co-organizing an international workshop

Your profile

•     Successfully completed or about to complete a doctorate in a relevant subject area (e.g. sociology, political science, economics or related fields)
•     Sound knowledge and experience with longitudinal and causal analysis methods (e.g. fixed-effects, difference-in-differences)
•     Sound knowledge and experience in empirical research methods with software such as Stata or R, particularly in the empirical analysis of panel data and micro data
•     Interest in research on social inequality and questions of political sociology
•     Very good command of written and spoken English; good written and oral communication skills and a strong ability to present complex issues in a comprehensible way
•     At least basic knowledge of German and/or the willingness to improve these skills
•     Experience and good skills in academic writing in English is an advantage
•     A self-reliant, goal- and result-oriented work attitude, coordination skills and ability to work in a team
•     Willingness to take business trips (nationally and internationally)
•     Interest to work in an interdisciplinary environment and to cooperate with other related disciplines is desirable
•     Interest in science communication and providing policy advice

We offer

•     Working in a research institute with a vibrant national and international academic environment including close ties to the University of Bamberg
•     Wide range of further training opportunities and individual support for professional and personal development for academic or non-academic career development
•     Work in a third-party funded project of high social and political relevance with strong involvement into project collaborations with national and international partners
•     Strong involvement in a dynamic and interdisciplinary project team that is highly visible in related international research and science communication
•     Regular participation in international research conferences is possible and desired
•     Research stay abroad is encouraged if interested
•     Flexible working hours and opportunities for remote work in a pleasant working environment that also attaches great importance to the compatibility of family and career
•     A company pension plan with deferred compensation (VBLU)

LIfBi attaches particular importance to the equality of women and men. Severely disabled applicants will be given preferential consideration if their suitability is essentially equal.
For questions on the position, please contact:
Prof. Dr. Gundula Zoch (+49 951 863-3566, gundula.zoch@lifbi.de)

Please use our online form to send your application with informative and complete documents no later than
19.07.2022 with the subject "PostDoc Corona 648".
All submitted data on your person will be deleted six months after completion of the application process at the latest.