Student assistant position PREVIEW (m/f/d)

The climate needs bright minds. The Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) addresses crucial scientific questions in the fields of global change, climate impacts and sustainable development. It is one of the world's leading research institutions in its field and offers natural and social scientists from around the world an inspiring environment for excellent interdisciplinary research.

For the PREVIEW Project PIK is offering a

(Position number: 11-2024 SHK Preview)

in the field of climate and conflict, starting on 01.06.2024.

The position is funded for 6 months. Remuneration is calculated according to the requirements of the TdL. The current hourly rate for a student assistant with a Bachelor's degree is 13,83 € (with-out a Bachelor's degree 13,25 €).  This is a part-time position with a weekly working time of 10 hours per week.

Climate change is widely regarded as a risk amplifier. In particular, the increasing frequency and intensity of weather-related extreme events can undermine peace and stability. In close collaboration with the German Federal Foreign Office, the PREVIEW project aims to develop and visualize a climate-conflict vulnerability index to foresee and minimize such risks in the future. The project aims to support the well-being and agency of marginalised groups and re-examine the classical foreign policy from a feminist perspective. The advertised position supports the qualitative validation of this index. This part of the validation process aims on understanding how risk as modelled by the index, as well as the drivers behind this risk, compares to local perceptions of risk. The successful candidate will become part of PIK’s FutureLab “Security, Ethnic Conflicts and Migration”.

Key responsibilities:

• support the qualitative validation of a climate-conflict vulnerability index
• contribute to i) the design of the validation concept by researching existing approaches, and ii) to its implementation
• conduct systematic research on climate and conflict driven risks in several countries and/ or regions of interest
• support the team in organizing an international workshop as part of the qualitative validation

Requirements:

• you study political science, geography, economics, sociology, or a comparable field of study. Candidates in technical or scientific programs are welcome to apply if they can demonstrate comparable competence
• knowledge in the field of climate change impacts or peace and security (preferably both), acquired e.g. via initial professional experience and/ or major fields of study
• you are familiar with citation databases and literature research
• you are able to document your work clearly and accessibly
• you have first experience in qualitative research
• first experience in project management and/ or the organization of events is an advantage
• strong analytical and writing skills in English are required.

We expect:

• the demonstrated ability to analyse complex phenomena from different perspectives
• a methodical and systematic approach
• structured and goal-oriented thinking
• capacity to familiarise yourself quickly with new topics
• creativity and openness to new approaches
• high reliability
• capacity for teamwork
• organisational talent

We offer:

• the chance to be part of a creative, interdisciplinary team,
• a stimulating working environment in an internationally recognised research institute on Potsdam's beautiful, historic Telegrafenberg campus, a short commuting distance from Berlin,
• flexi-time and mobile working (up to 50% of your hours),
• a collective pay scheme
• a collective pay scheme and associated benefits as well as a subsidized travel card or a Deutschland-Ticket Job.

PIK values equality and diversity. We encourage applications without photo. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of ethnic and social origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, care responsibilities, or age. PIK seeks to increase the share of women in scientific positions and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply. In cases of equal qualification and within the given legal scope, women will be given preference. PIK also encourages applications by parents returning from parental leave.

Please apply by 21.04.2024 directly via our application form below the job advertisement on our website. We can only consider your application if you are registered at a German university.

If you hold an international higher education qualification, please also submit the Statement of Comparability from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) with your application. In the case that you do not yet have a ZAB Statement of Comparability for your qualification, please be aware that you may need to request this if your application is successful. You can find further information on this website: https://www.kmk.org/zab/central-office-for-foreign-education.html

For further information or to discuss the position please contact Simon Merschroth (Mail: simon.merschroth(at)pik-potsdam.de ).