Zentralinstitut Osteuropa-InstitutResearch assistant (Postdoc) (m/f/d) full-time job limited to 3 years Entgeltgruppe 13 TV-L FU reference code: LOOPS_Postdoc Bewerbungsende: 27.02.2023

The Postdoctoral Research will join the ERC Starting Grant project LOOPS on the logistic of protest camps in competitive authoritarian regimes. The position provides an opportunity for both independent and collaborative research within an ambitious project while working in a small research team in Berlin. The salary will be paid at a E 13 TV-L level as defined by German public sector regulations. The position is limited to 36 months. Part-time appointment is possible.

The goal of the research project is to investigate the backstage of popular uprisings to engage with important and fundamental questions about the course, the legitimacy, and the impact of popular uprisings in authoritarian settings. LOOPS focusses on three distinct research interests with different methodological approaches: First, based on a theoretical framework of the professionalization of protest logistics, LOOPS will create a comprehensive dataset on protest logistics in authoritarian regimes. We will collect original data on the type, quantity, and professionalism of back-stage logistics based on the analysis of social media images. Second, we will complement this broad comparative perspective with case studies on the organizational and financial support of these logistics. And third, LOOPS will test the effects of the differences in the backstage of popular uprisings on autocratic resilience and sustainable democratic development.

Job description:
Responsibilities for the postdoc position include conducting empirical research for Work Package 1 of the research project (automated image collection, repository, codebook, day-to-day coding oversight), working on joint research publications, join different project activities, as well as supporting the organization of workshops and events within the framework of the project.

Requirements:
Completed university degree; completed PhD by the time of appointment.

Desirable:
• PhD in any social science discipline with a strong quantitative background, e.g. political science or sociology, as well as related fields.
• Fluency in English. German is not a must.
• Strong background in quantitative research methods of social sciences, ideally experiences with the analysis of images.
• Good working knowledge of R
• A range of statistical and data skills, including graduate-level knowledge of causal inference methods, data management, and data analysis. Experience managing large datasets and executing data analysis in complex environments is highly valued.

Applications should be sent by e-mail, together with significant documents, indicating the reference code, in PDF format (preferably as one document) to Frau Dr. Anna Fruhstorfer: [email protected] or postal to

Freie Universität Berlin

Zentralinstitut Osteuropa-Institut

Frau Dr. Anna Fruhstorfer

Garystr. 55

14195 Berlin (Dahlem)

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