PhD Candidate Information Retrieval, Data Search & Findability

GESIS – Leibniz-Institute for the Social Sciences is an internationally active research institute, funded by federal and state governments and member of the Leibniz Association.

For the next possible date our Department Knowledge Technologies for the Social Sciences (KTS), Team FAIR Data and Human Information Interaction located in Cologne, is looking for a

(Salary group 13 TV-L, working time 80% (temporary extensions possible), limited to September 2026)

The department Knowledge Technologies for Social Sciences (KTS)  conducts research at the intersection of information retrieval, knowledge graphs, human information interaction and machine learning as foundation for innovative web portals and platforms for the search and use of research data. KTS innovations are based on a state-of-the-art software stack and research-based innovations in the aforementioned fields.

In the context of the consortia BERD@NFDI and KonsortSWD of the National Research Data Infrastructure (NFDI ) KTS develops innovative services with the goal to improve the search for and the findability of research data.

• Research in the areas of data search, web data discovery, web information retrieval and/or knowledge graphs, with respect to research data
• Conceptual design, modeling and implementation of research-based services for the search for research data
• Implementing strategies to improve data search and findability using appropriate web technologies
• Engagement with partners in the NFDI, exchange with relevant communities (e.g. GO FAIR, RDA, EOSC)
• Dissemination of project results through publications and workshops

• Good university degree (Master or equivalent) in Computer Science, Data Science or comparable fields
• Good expertise in the areas of data and information retrieval, knowledge graphs or Human Information Interaction
• Experience in software development with Java, Elasticsearch, Web and DB technologies
• Good oral and written communication skills in English, knowledge of German desirable

• A fast growing and international working environment with a lot of creative scientific freedom and access to unique research data
• Excellent career opportunities in research & teaching as well as in software development and data engineering
• Close collaboration and exchange with excellent national and internation research labs in AI and data science
• Flexible working hours and possibility of mobile working within Germany
• Very good conditions for reconciling work and family life, e.g. subsidies for childcare for children who have not yet attained the age of compulsory schooling
• Holistic company health management and discounted participation in the university's sports programme
• Generous support for your pension provision as a direct insurance policy
• Promotion of your skills through further training measures

For further information concerning the tasks, please contact Peter Mutschke via phone +49 (0221) 47694 - 500 or via E-Mail . If you have questions about the application process, please contact Franca Tosetti via E-Mail.

Please apply via our Online application portal.

Our reference number is: KTS-34.