Research Fellow (f/m/x)

The WZB Berlin Social Science Center, research unit Global Sociology, is seeking to appoint
one Research Fellow (f/m/x)
within the framework of the Cluster of Excellence “Contestations of the Liberal Script” (SCRIPTS). The position entails fulltime (39 hours/week) employment for three years, starting preferably on 01 August 2022 (subject to approval).

We are hiring a post-doctoral research fellow to join the project “Varieties of Diversity Script,” led by Prof. Yasemin Soysal (WZB), Prof. Gülay Çağlar (Freie Universität), and Prof. Kathrin Zippel (Freie Universität). Theoretically, the project investigates the relationship and tensions between equality, meritocracy, and diversity. Empirically, it aims to identify and map cross-national diffusion and patterns of diversity scripts as conveyed in universities’ official websites and documents, complemented by in-depth case studies of selected universities. We are seeking applicants with research interests in global diffusion of ideas and institutions, higher education, science, meritocracy, and diversity.   The position is embedded within the Global Sociology unit (led by Yasemin Soysal) at the WZB Berlin Social Science Center, which is a publicly financed research institution that conducts theory-based and problem-oriented social science research (http://www.wzb.eu/en). The Global Sociology research unit is also part of the Cluster of Excellence “Contestations of the Liberal Scripts” (SCRIPTS), which analyses the contemporary controversies about the liberal order from a historical, global, and comparative perspective (http://www.scripts-berlin.eu).   Your tasks

• Contributing conceptually and empirically to the interdisciplinary study of global processes of the diffusion of models and standards
• Designing and implementing quantitative and comparative analyses in this field
• Taking responsibility for designing and conducting analyses of the data scraped from university webpages
• Publishing empirically grounded research, partly together with Professors Soysal, Çağlar, and Zippel, preferably in international, peer-reviewed journals
• Collaborating in designing and drafting research proposals for further funding

Your profile

• A doctoral degree in Sociology or a related social science discipline with knowledge of or interest in one or more of the following (interdisciplinary) research areas: science and knowledge society, higher education, the diffusion of ideas and institutions, and globalization
• Profound knowledge and experience of quantitative methods and computational social sciences
• Competence in data visualization and presentation tools (e.g. R, Python, etc.)
• Competence in compilation of reports for non-academic audience and media outlets
• Competence in data and team management, as well as organizational and communication skills
• Excellent command of written and spoken English, and preferably an additional language (Urdu, Turkish, German, etc.)

Our offer

• Remuneration in accordance with EG 13 TVöD Bund (in accordance with German Wage Agreement for Public Service)
• A well-equipped workplace in the centre of Berlin
• An international, cooperative, and diversified working environment
• Integration into the scientific community in the form of colloquia and conferences, and the possibility to teach courses at universities in Berlin
• Research support by student assistants, funding for conference travels, and opportunities for professional development
• Flexible working hours
• We promote a good work-life balance, and our engagement has been certified by audit workandfamily and the European Commission’s Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R)
• Comprehensive program for continuous professional development and further qualification, in the own discipline and beyond
• Cafeteria with modern recreation rooms
• Discounted VBB company ticket

Equally well-qualified applicants with disabilities will be given preference. We value diversity and welcome all applications regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic or social origin, religion, disability, age, or sexual orientation. The WZB explicitly encourages women and persons with a migrant background to apply.
  If you have any questions, please contact Lina Hayek at lina.hayek@wzb.eu.

Please send us your online application in English (consisting of a letter of motivation, including a detailed description of how your background, expertise, and experiences fit with the advertised position; a curriculum vitae; a list of publications; a writing sample; copies of relevant certificates; and your PhD certificate – the doctoral thesis is expected to have been at least submitted by the start of the position) by no later than 09 June 2022.