Postdoctoral Researcher in Computational Social Science (f/m/x)

within the ERC Project MINORITYRULE

We are one of the largest and oldest universities in Europe and one of the most important employers in our region. Our broad range of subjects, the dynamic development of our main research areas and our central location in Cologne make us attractive for students and researchers from around the world. We offer a wide range of career opportunities in science, technology, and administration.

The position is part of Professor Sven-Oliver Proksch’s ERC-funded project MINORITYRULE. The project investigates how minority governments affect the intensity of political polarization in parliamentary debates and election campaigns, how the responsiveness of minority governments to public opinion differs from those of majority governments at the national and supranational level, and how citizens evaluate the legitimacy of decisions taken by minority governments.

YOUR TASKS

• Take a leading role in the project’s work package on political polarization. This includes developing and applying methods for multilingual text-based measurement of political polarization in parliamentary debates and election campaigns.
• Conduct and publish high-quality research within the context of MINORITYRULE
• Collaborate with other project members and supervise research assistants
• Provide support for project-related management and administrative tasks
• Contribute to the intellectual exchange at the Institute

YOUR PROFILE

• A doctoral degree in political science, computational social science or data science (or close to completion) with an interest in political communication, political representation and legislative politics
• Experience with computational text analysis methods, including large language models
• Strong programming skills in R and/or Python
• Strong interest and ability to produce high-quality and high-impact research, as demonstrated through international peer-reviewed publications
• Ability to work in a team, and ability to work independently
• Strong command of English. Knowledge of German and other European languages is an asset

WE OFFER

• Participation in a cutting-edge research project funded by an ERC Consolidator Grant
• Opportunity to develop your own research agenda within the framework of the project
• Funding for conferences, additional training, research activities
• Integration into the Cologne Center for Comparative Politics
• A diverse working environment with equal opportunities
• Support in balancing work and family life
• Extensive advanced training opportunities
• Occupational health management offers
• Flexible working time models,
• Opportunity to work remotely

The University of Cologne is committed to equal opportunities and diversity. Women are especially encouraged to apply and will be considered preferentially in accordance with the Equal Opportunities Act of North Rhine-West- phalia (Landesgleichstellungsgesetz – LGG NRW). We also expressly welcome applications from people with disabilities / special needs or of equal status. 

The position is available from 01.08.2024 on a full-time basis (39,83 hours per week). The position is to be filled for a fixed term until 31.08.2026. If the applicant meets the relevant wage requirements and personal qualifications, the salary will be based on remuneration group 14 TV-L of the pay scale for the German public sector.

Please send your application with proof of the required qualifications without a photo by email (in one pdf-file) to: cccp-jobs@uni-koeln.de.

Applications should be submitted in English and include a motivation letter, CV, writing sample, transcripts, and names of two references. The reference number is Wiss2403-16. The application deadline is 10.05.2024.

For further inquiries, please contact Professor Sven-Oliver Proksch (so.proksch@uni-koeln.de).