Three-year Postdoc in Politics: The Hasso Plattner Institute (HPI), Germany’s premier university excellence center for digital engineering, is seeking a dynamic and accomplished individual for a three-year postdoctoral position. The successful candidate will join a burgeoning social science research cluster within the digital engineering faculty, contributing expertise in the intersection of politics, digital technologies, and governance in developing countries.
Designation: Postdoctoral Researcher
Research Area: Politics, Digital Technologies, and Governance in Developing Countries
Location: Hasso Plattner Institute, University of Potsdam, Potsdam-Babelsberg (S-Bhf. Griebnitzsee), with commuting possibilities to Berlin.
Eligibility/Qualification:
- Completed or soon-to-be-completed PhD at the intersection of politics and technology.
- Record of publication in international, peer-reviewed journals.
- Academic or professional background in a relevant social science field.
- Technical understanding to communicate effectively with colleagues and students in computer science or digital engineering.
- Proficiency in academic and professional English.
- Independence, motivation, and adaptability in hybrid and remote team settings.
- Strong organizational and time management skills.
- Emotional and cultural sensitivity for diverse collaborations.
Job Description:
Three-year Postdoc in Politics, Digital Technologies, and Governance in Developing Countries (m/f/x)
- Undertake self-driven research projects focusing on politics, digital technologies, and governance in developing countries.
- Collaborate on team projects, including literature reviews, data analysis, paper writing, and dissemination of findings.
- Provide research support for various project activities, including data management and literature review summaries.
- Develop or contribute to project funding applications.
- Lead or contribute to project dissemination and impact activities.
- Other responsibilities as needed for the position and projects.
Essential Skills:
- Completed PhD with a publication record.
- Academic or professional background in a relevant social science field.
- Technical understanding to communicate with computer science or digital engineering colleagues.
- Proficiency in English.
- Independence, motivation, and adaptability.
- Excellent time management skills.
- Emotional and cultural sensitivity.
- Ability to synthesize large amounts of data into meaningful insights.
Desirable Skills:
- Experience translating research findings into political, governance, or policy impact.
- Experience in developing teaching materials for technical audiences.
- Skills in computational methods such as machine learning, network analysis, natural language processing, or statistical modeling.
- Confidence in collecting, processing, and managing large digital datasets.
What We Offer:
- A first-class, active, and inspiring research environment.
- Expert support and mentorship for leading research projects.
- Generous budget for research expenses, travel, conferences, etc.
- An international and dynamic working environment.
- Mobile working possibilities.
- Discounted lunch at Campus Kitchen One.
- HPI campus workplace in Potsdam-Babelsberg with excellent commuting possibilities to Berlin.
How to Apply: Please submit the following documents via our career page by 17 December 2023:
- CV and cover letter
- Two writing samples
- 2,500-word research proposal (excluding references)
- 1,000-word project timeline
- Degree certificates/transcripts
- Contact details of three references
Contact Information: HR-Recruiting: Antonia Bigun Phone: +49 331 5509-428 Address: Hasso-Plattner-Institut für Digital Engineering gGmbH, Prof.-Dr.-Helmert-Str. 2-3, 14482 Potsdam
