The Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) is recruiting

2-3 highly qualified Post-Docs / Research Scientists

to join the Laboratory of Digital and Computational Demography.

The MPIDR is one of the leading demographic centers in the world. It is part of the Max Planck Society, a network of over 80 institutes that form Germany’s premier basic-research organization. Max Planck Institutes have an established record of world-class, foundational research in the sciences, technology, and the humanities, and they offer a unique environment that combines the best aspects of an academic setting and a research laboratory.

The Laboratory of Digital and Computational Demography, headed by MPIDR Director Emilio Zagheni, is looking for candidates with background in Demography, Computer Science, Statistics, Sociology, Economics, Geography, Applied Mathematics, or related disciplines.

The successful candidate must have a PhD (or receive it soon) and is expected to conduct cutting-edge population research. Ideal candidates would excel in two or more of the following dimensions: a) strong statistical and computational skills; b) a deep understanding of population processes and social demography; c) the ability to work in teams in an interdisciplinary context; d) high scholarly productivity, commensurate to experience.

Substantive areas of particular interest for the Lab include: Migration; Population Aging and Intergenerational Relationships; The impact of Social Media and Digitalization of life on health, well-being and demographic behavior.

Technical areas of particular interest for the Lab include: Methods for complementing social media and other innovative data sources with traditional data for population research (including statistical methods for estimation and projections of demographic quantities); Development of innovative forms of data collection for demographic research (e.g., surveys via Web and Social Media advertisement platforms or data collection via sensors, tracking devices, or Web Apps); Web experiments; Demographic Simulation.

Depending on interest and fit, the successful candidate would have the opportunity to participate in ongoing collaborative initiatives with leading scholars in digital and computational demography based at other institutions.

Applications have to be submitted online via https://www.demogr.mpg.de/go/JobAd957868 and include the following documents in English:

A Curriculum Vitae

A letter of interest (Max 1 page)

Briefly state why you are interested in joining the MPIDR, how the MPIDR could foster your professional development and career trajectory, and in which ways your interests fit the research strengths of the MPIDR.

A Research Statement (Max 2 pages)

Briefly describe your research accomplishments as well as ongoing and future research plans. Please also describe your technical skills, areas of expertise, as well as the type of advanced training that you would like to receive as a research scientist.

The names and contact information for 3 academic references.

One or two writing samples or copies of publications.

To receive full consideration, applications should be received by October 30, 2018. Successful applicants will be offered a 3-year contract, with remuneration commensurate to experience (starting from approx. 54,000 EUR gross per year) and based on the salary structure of the German public sector (Öffentlicher Dienst, TVöD Bund). The Institute has an excellent work environment and offers family-friendly work arrangements (flexible working hours, teleworking, and guaranteed places at day-care centers for children), occupational health promotion, and opportunities for continuous further training.

For inquiries about the positions, please contact sekzagheni@demogr.mpg.de.

The Institute values diversity and is committed to increasing the representation of minorities and people with physical disabilities. Individuals from minorities thus are especially welcome to apply. The MPIDR and the Max Planck Society are committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourage applications from such qualified individuals. Moreover, the Institute and the Max Planck Society seek to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourage women to apply.