Postdoc Positions, The Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR)

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

2-3 highly qualified Post-Docs / Research Scientists

to join the newly established 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 a background in Demography, Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Economics, Sociology, Geography, Applied Mathematics, or related disciplines.

The successful candidate must have a PhD (or receive it soon) and is expected to conduct cutting-edge research in the field of Digital and Computational Demography. Priority areas for the Laboratory include:

  1. Using Web and Social Media data to study demographic processes, like migration, fertility, health indicators, intergenerational relationships, and gender disparities.
  2. Developing innovative forms of data collection for demographic research (e.g., surveys via Web and Social Media advertisement platforms or data collected via sensors, tracking devices, or Web Apps).
  3. Leveraging agent-based models and microsimulation to understand individual- and population-level processes.
  4. Evaluating the impact of the digitalization of our lives on demographic behavior and population processes.

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. These include Ingmar Weber (Qatar Computing Research Institute) and Francesco Billari (Bocconi University).

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

  1. A Curriculum Vitae
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. The names and contact information for 3 academic references
  5. One or two writing samples or copies of publications

To receive full consideration, applications should be received by April 8, 2018. The starting date is flexible but no later than Fall 2018. Successful applicants will be offered a 3-year contract, with remuneration commensurate to experience (starting from approx. 50,000 EUR gross per year) and based on the salary structure of the German public sector (Öffentlicher Dienst, TVöD Bund). For inquiries about the positions, please contact sekzagheni@demogr.mpg.de.

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