Doctoral Researcher (M/F/D)
Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science
The newly founded Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science studies contemporary challenges to political, social, and economic life. The institute places special emphasis on the political dimension, thereby spanning the spectrum from political sociology through conflict and peace research to political economy. Rigor and imagination guide the institute’s analytical and empirical approach, which draws inspiration from cross-disciplinary developments. The institute aims to produce new, evidence-based in...
The newly founded Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science studies contemporary challenges to political, social, and economic life. The institute places special emphasis on the political dimension, thereby spanning the spectrum from political sociology through conflict and peace research to political economy. Rigor and imagination guide the institute’s analytical and empirical approach, which draws inspiration from cross-disciplinary developments. The institute aims to produce new, evidence-based in...
Opportunity details
The newly founded Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science studies contemporary challenges to political, social, and economic life. The institute places special emphasis on the political dimension, thereby spanning the spectrum from political sociology through conflict and peace research to political economy. Rigor and imagination guide the institute’s analytical and empirical approach, which draws inspiration from cross-disciplinary developments. The institute aims to produce new, evidence-based insights for pressing challenges to policy and contemporary society. At the Institute, the Department of Political Institutions and Conflict is inviting applications for the position of Doctoral Researcher (M/F/D) (full-time for three years with a starting date of January 1, 2027). The newly established department “Political Institutions and Conflict” (led by Ursula Daxecker) studies the relationship between political institutions and conflict, broadly construed. Conflict is inherent in politics but can be managed peacefully or break out in the open and turn violent. Research in the department explores whether and how political, economic, and social institutions create or reduce the potential for conflict, how structural changes have changed institutions’ ability to manage conflict, and how these shifts affect political outcomes downstream. Through this research, the department aims to produce novel insights for important challenges in contemporary society, including the rise of extreme strategies and violence, threats to electoral integrity, and democratic erosion. The PhD candidate will be affiliated with the “Doctoral Network Democratic Institutions and Violence Network in Europe (DIViNE)” project, funded by the HORIZON MSCA action. The candidate will be supe...
Eligibility
You have the following credentials: Essential: A Master’s degree or equivalent in political science or closely related discipline. The degree must have been obtained by the start of your employment; An excellent command of social science research methods, including quantitative methodology such as panel regression, analysis of large administrative data, survey data, large language models and AI, causal inference design, and statistical programming in Stata/R/etc.; Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; Independent thinking and critical analytical skills; The ability to work independently and in a team. Desirable: Experience with qualitative methods and mixed-methods approaches; Interest and willingness to conduct fieldwork; Expertise in research on political violence. What We Offer: The position is full-time and for a period of three years (with the option of up to two extensions of six months each). Salary is based on the German collective agreement for civil servants (TVöD Bund), pay group EG 13, 75%/grade 1 – 2. The Max Planck Society is mainly funded by German Federal and State Governments (see www.mpg.de). Max Planck Institutes provide outstanding facilities, academic resources and intellectual environments for the support of independent research. Max Planck Institutes are not tied to universities. There are no teaching obligations for staff, but teaching and other forms of co-operation with universities are possible. The Max Planck Society wishes to increase the participation of women across the sciences. Applications from women are therefore particularly welcome. Following its commitment to equal opportunities employment policies, the Max Planck Society especially encourages applications from persons with a disability. Persons of any natio...
Requirements
You have the following credentials: Essential: A Master’s degree or equivalent in political science or closely related discipline. The degree must have been obtained by the start of your employment; An excellent command of social science research methods, including quantitative methodology such as panel regression, analysis of large administrative data, survey data, large language models and AI, causal inference design, and statistical programming in Stata/R/etc.; Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; Independent thinking and critical analytical skills; The ability to work independently and in a team. Desirable: Experience with qualitative methods and mixed-methods approaches; Interest and willingness to conduct fieldwork; Expertise in research on political violence. What We Offer: The position is full-time and for a period of three years (with the option of up to two extensions of six months each). Salary is based on the German collective agreement for civil servants (TVöD Bund), pay group EG 13, 75%/grade 1 – 2. The Max Planck Society is mainly funded by German Federal and State Governments (see www.mpg.de). Max Planck Institutes provide outstanding facilities, academic resources and intellectual environments for the support of independent research. Max Planck Institutes are not tied to universities. There are no teaching obligations for staff, but teaching and other forms of co-operation with universities are possible. The Max Planck Society wishes to increase the participation of women across the sciences. Applications from women are therefore particularly welcome. Following its commitment to equal opportunities employment policies, the Max Planck Society especially encourages applications from persons with a disability. Persons of any natio...
Funding and benefits
Funding eligibility: UK Students, EU Students, International Students. Funding amount: Pay group EG 13, 75%/grade 1 – 2.
Required documents
CV, references, cover letter
How to apply
At the Institute, the Department of Political Institutions and Conflict is inviting applications for the position of Doctoral Researcher (M/F/D) (full-time for three years with a starting date of January 1, 2027). We will assist with finding adequate housing and with applying for visas and residence permits. Applications from women are therefore particularly welcome. Following its commitment to equal opportunities employment policies, the Max Planck Society especially encourages applications from persons with a disability.
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Recorded source check: October 8, 2026. A stored check date does not guarantee that every field is complete or still current. Compare the provider, eligibility, funding and deadline with the live official call before applying.
Benefits
Funding eligibility: UK Students, EU Students, International Students. Funding amount: Pay group EG 13, 75%/grade 1 – 2.
Eligibility summary
You have the following credentials: Essential: A Master’s degree or equivalent in political science or closely related discipline. The degree must have been obtained by the start of your employment; An excellent command of social science research methods, including quantitative methodology such as panel regression, analysis of large administrative data, survey data, large language models and AI, causal inference design, and statistical programming in Stata/R/etc.; Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; Independent thinking and critical analytical skills; The ability to work independently and in a team. Desirable: Experience with qualitative methods and mixed-methods approaches; Interest and willingness to conduct fieldwork; Expertise in research on political violence. What We Offer: The position is full-time and for a period of three years (with the option of up to two extensions of six months each). Salary is based on the German collective agreement for civil servants (TVöD Bund), pay group EG 13, 75%/grade 1 – 2. The Max Planck Society is mainly funded by German Federal and State Governments (see www.mpg.de). Max Planck Institutes provide outstanding facilities, academic resources and intellectual environments for the support of independent research. Max Planck Institutes are not tied to universities. There are no teaching obligations for staff, but teaching and other forms of co-operation with universities are possible. The Max Planck Society wishes to increase the participation of women across the sciences. Applications from women are therefore particularly welcome. Following its commitment to equal opportunities employment policies, the Max Planck Society especially encourages applications from persons with a disability. Persons of any nationality can apply. Applications must be submitted online no later than Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Applications must consist of: A CV A two-page cover letter that outlines your preparation and motivation to pursue this degree A two-page proposal outlining a PhD project that fits the above parameters Unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts The contact details of two academic references A writing sample of max. 10 pages (this can be an excerpt from longer written material).
Requirements
You have the following credentials: Essential: A Master’s degree or equivalent in political science or closely related discipline. The degree must have been obtained by the start of your employment; An excellent command of social science research methods, including quantitative methodology such as panel regression, analysis of large administrative data, survey data, large language models and AI, causal inference design, and statistical programming in Stata/R/etc.; Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; Independent thinking and critical analytical skills; The ability to work independently and in a team. Desirable: Experience with qualitative methods and mixed-methods approaches; Interest and willingness to conduct fieldwork; Expertise in research on political violence. What We Offer: The position is full-time and for a period of three years (with the option of up to two extensions of six months each). Salary is based on the German collective agreement for civil servants (TVöD Bund), pay group EG 13, 75%/grade 1 – 2. The Max Planck Society is mainly funded by German Federal and State Governments (see www.mpg.de). Max Planck Institutes provide outstanding facilities, academic resources and intellectual environments for the support of independent research. Max Planck Institutes are not tied to universities. There are no teaching obligations for staff, but teaching and other forms of co-operation with universities are possible. The Max Planck Society wishes to increase the participation of women across the sciences. Applications from women are therefore particularly welcome. Following its commitment to equal opportunities employment policies, the Max Planck Society especially encourages applications from persons with a disability. Persons of any nationality can apply. Applications must be submitted online no later than Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Applications must consist of: A CV A two-page cover letter that outlines your preparation and motivation to pursue this degree A two-page proposal outlining a PhD project that fits the above parameters Unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts The contact details of two academic references A writing sample of max. 10 pages (this can be an excerpt from longer written material).
Documents required
CV, references, cover letter
Language/test requirements
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