POSTDOC 2022 : Postdocs/Research Scientists in Digital and Computational Demography

The Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) is recruiting a highly qualified Post-Doc, or more senior Research Scientist, to join the Lab of Digital and Computational Demography.

The MPIDR is one of the leading demographic research centers in the world. The Institute’s scientists advance fundamental research in areas related to fertility, mortality and migration, as well as study issues of policy relevance, such as demographic change, aging, health, the redistribution of work and transfers over the life course, as well as the digitization of life and the use of novel data sources for understanding demographic dynamics. The MPIDR is part of the Max Planck Society, a network of 86 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 the MPIDR Director Emilio Zagheni, brings together methodologists (from areas like Statistics, Computer Science or Formal Demography) with experts in various areas of the Social Sciences in order to foster cross-pollination of ideas, to advance methods and theory, and to address pressing scientific and 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 a PhD (or receive it soon) and is expected to have a profile along one of the following lines:

1) A methodologist interested in advancing computational, statistical or mathematical methods with applications to population science.

2) A social and behavioral scientist with strong expertise in at least one of the following substantive areas: migration and mobility; aging and demographic change; environmental demography; (digital) health; technological change and well-being.

3) A computational social scientist interested in working on questions central to population research.
Across all profiles, ability and willingness to work in interdisciplinary teams in order to conduct cutting-edge research that advances our understanding of population processes is key.

Candidates who can enrich or complement projects in any research area of the Lab will be considered.

Examples of themes that we are interested in strengthening include (but are not limited to):

1) The use of advanced statistical analysis, machine learning and causal inference for prediction and understanding of longevity, indicators of aging and well-being, and demographic outcomes;

2) Assessment of the relationships between climate change, population dynamics and individual behaviors, including the impact of climate change on demographic and health indicators.

3) Assessment of the impact of technological transformations, including the digitalization of life, on social inequalities, demographic outcomes and well-being.

Applications have to be submitted online via https://survey.demogr.mpg.de/index.php/656814?lang=en and include the following documents:

1) Curriculum Vitae

2) 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) 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) Names and contact information for 3 academic references

5) Two writing samples or publications

The position will be open until filled. In order to receive full consideration, applications should be submitted by April 15, 2022. The starting date is flexible, but no later than early 2023. The successful applicant will be offered a 3-year contract with remuneration commensurate to experience (starting from approx. 57,241 EUR gross per year for researchers who have just completed their PhD, up to approx. 66,217 EUR gross per year for more senior scientists), based on the salary structure of the German public sector (Öffentlicher Dienst, TVöD Bund). They are expected to be in residence at the MPIDR.

The MPIDR is an equal opportunities employer. Our work atmosphere includes respectful treatment of each other, with gender, nationality, religion, disability, age, cultural origin, and sexual identity playing no role. We aim to have an institutional culture that enables everyone to develop their individual skills and competencies.

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. The Society has been awarded the certificate “Work and Family” which is granted to institutions committed to establishing a family-friendly corporate culture by binding target agreements. The MPIDR collaborates with a network of local day-care centers that provides childcare places for the children of Institute staff. The Max Planck Society has contracts with a private family service company that offers services such as arranging child care on short notice in various cities in Germany for parents who attend conferences, care services for children of school age up to 14 years, and support for those caring for family members and relatives. The MPIDR also practices flexible working-time models, which include at least one home office day per week, and scheduling meetings only within core working hours. To help accompanying spouses and partners find appropriate work at their new location, the MPIDR works in close cooperation with Dual-Career Partners in regional networks.

Our Institute values diversity and is keen to employ individuals from minorities and under-represented groups.

The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. Furthermore, the Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply.

For inquiries about the positions, please contact [email protected].