The Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) is recruiting highly qualified Post-Docs/Research Scientists, at various levels of seniority, to join the Lab 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 more than 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, social sciences and the humanities. They offer a unique environment that combines the best aspects of an academic setting and a research laboratory.

The Lab of Digital and Computational Demography, headed by MPIDR Director Emilio Zagheni, is looking for candidates with a background in Demography, Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Economics, Sociology, Psychology, Social Psychology, Geography, Applied Mathematics, Public Health, Public Policy, or related disciplines.

The Lab brings together methodologists (from areas like Statistics, Computer Science or Mathematical Demography) with experts in areas of the Social Sciences in order to enable cross-pollination of ideas, to advance methods and theory of population research, and to address pressing societal questions.

For more information about the Lab and its current projects, see: https://www.demogr.mpg.de/go/lab-dcd

The successful candidate must have obtained their PhD (or expect to have obtained their PhD by the time the post commences no later than Fall 2021), and their profile should match one of the following three:

A methodologist interested in producing advances in demographic methods and in the field of Digital and Computational Demography.
A social and behavioral scientist with strong expertise in at least one of the following substantive areas: migration and mobility; population aging and generational processes; social demography; environmental demography; (digital) health; technological change and well-being.
A computational social scientist interested in working on questions central to demographic research.
Across all profiles, the ability and willingness to work in interdisciplinary teams in order to conduct cutting-edge research that advances population science is key.

Applications have to be submitted online via https://www.demogr.mpg.de/go/JobAd617491 and include the following documents:

Curriculum Vitae
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.
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.
Names and contact information for 3 academic references
One or two writing samples or publications
Note that incomplete submissions will not be considered.

The positions will be open until filled. In order to receive full consideration, applications should be submitted by December 1st, 2020. The starting date is flexible, but no later than Fall 2021.

Successful applicants will be offered a 3-year contract with remuneration commensurate to experience (starting from approx. 56,000 EUR gross per year for researchers who have just completed their PhD, up to approx. 70,000 EUR gross per year for more senior scientists) based on the salary structure of the German public sector (Öffentlicher Dienst, TVöD Bund). The successful candidates are expected to work locally at the MPIDR in Rostock, Germany. Relocation support is available.

The Max Planck Society offers a broad range of measures to support the reconciliation of work and family. These are complemented by the MPIDR’s own initiatives. For more information, see: https://www.demogr.mpg.de/go/work-family.

In addition, there are a range of central initiatives and measures primarily geared towards helping young female researchers and mothers to advance their career. See the link below for some examples: https://www.demogr.mpg.de/go/career-development.

Our Institute values diversity and is committed to employing individuals from minorities. The Max Planck Society has set itself the goal of employing more severely handicapped people. The Institute and the Max Planck Society also seek to increase the proportion of women in areas where they are underrepresented. As women are underrepresented in computational social sciences, we explicitly encourage them to apply.

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