Postdoctoral Research Fellow (f/m/d)

The “Urban Politics” Research Group at the Leibniz-Institute for Research on Society and Space (IRS) is seeking to hire a

Postdoctoral Research Fellow (f/m/d)

(100% TVL 13)

for an appointment starting on 1 January 2022 (preferable) until 31 December 2023, with the possibility of extension for four years. The position can in principle also be filled on a part-time basis.

The Leibniz Institute for Research on Society and Space (IRS) explores the spatial aspects of social interaction. The new research group “Urban Politics” analyses the political contestation, governance and planning of urban development. It focuses on the ways in which global processes such as increasing socio-spatial disparities, the financialization of housing or migration are dealt with locally and analyses cities as arenas of collective action. Current research is based on the hypothesis that the governance capacities of cooperative, networked and partnership-based arrangements in urban development are increasingly being called into question.

The ideal candidate should be highly motivated and interested in the interrelation of urban governance and urban development, already have project acquisition experiences, and a thriving publication record. Postdoctoral researchers should proactively identify topics and execute relevant research opportunities. As such, you will be involved in all parts of the research process, including project planning, research design, data analysis, presentation at conferences, and preparation of manuscripts to be submitted to leading and international peer-reviewed journals.

The research fellow is expected to engage in the collaborative exchange within the Research Area “Politics and Planning” and the institute as a whole. Part of the job assignment will be own empirical researching, publishing and collaborating with colleagues in Lead Project “Conflicts in Planning: Megaprojects and their potential for institutional change”.

Your tasks

• Project development and planning within a collaborative and proactive team
• Working on the strategic realignment of the Research Group
• Publication of research results in peer-reviewed international journals
• Presentation of research results at national and international conferences
• Transfer of knowledge and consulting
• Conduction of own empirical research within the Lead Project

Your profile

• A proactive, collaborative, and creative mindset with the ability to communicate complex ideas persuasively and inspiringly
• A doctoral degree in urban studies, human geography, political science, urban planning, sociology, or a related discipline
• A vibrant and creative research agenda that broadly fits to the themes sketched above
• Very good knowledge of the urban studies/ urban politics literature and experience in project fundings and conducting empirical research on urban governance
• Well versed in social scientific research methodologies
• Publication experience within international peer-reviewed journals and a good sense for current and exciting issues
• Excellent German and English language skills, both written and spoken

What we offer

• A stimulating, dynamic, and research-oriented environment with a supportive and cooperative team
• A large degree of leeway for creativity, planning, and development of ideas and projects
• Integration into the scientific community in the form of colloquia and conferences, and the possibility to teach courses at universities in Berlin and Brandenburg
• Research support by student assistants and travel funding, as well as opportunities to invite external collaborators and visiting research fellows

The IRS is committed to equal opportunity and encourages qualified women to apply. Recognized disabled persons are given preferential consideration in case of equal suitability. The IRS supports the reconcilability of work and family life and was awarded the "Career and family" certificate since 2015. We offer flexible working hours and the possibility of mobile teleworking.

Candidates are kindly required to send their application documents in German or English (including a letter of motivation, a short sketch of a research plan of 2 - 3 pages, tabular curriculum vitae, copies of relevant certificates) per e‑mail, in the form of one single PDF file, no later than 30th of September 2021 to bewerbung(at)leibniz-irs.de .

Leibniz-Institut für Raumbezogene Sozialforschung

Personalstelle

Flakenstr. 29-31

15537 Erkner

For further information please contact matthias.bernt(at)leibniz-irs.de .

www.leibniz-irs.de