Scientific Research Associate (Doctoral Researcher) for International Values Studies (VALDEMCRIS Project)
Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany · Full Time
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- Openings
- 1
- Posted
- 3 weeks ago
- Work mode
- In office
- Education
- Master's degree
- Eligibility
- Applicants should hold a very good Master’s degree or an equivalent degree in a relevant social science field and should have strong German and English language skills. The role is suitable for candidates interested in doctoral research, survey methodology, empirical social research, and internatio…
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Where you'll work
Job description
About the Organisation
GESIS – Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences in Mannheim is an internationally active social science research institution within the Leibniz Association, funded by Germany’s federal and state governments.
Role Overview
GESIS is looking for a doctoral research associate for its Data and Research on Society department, Social Surveys team, starting as soon as possible at the Mannheim site. The position is assigned to the DFG-funded project “Wertewandel und kulturelle Polarisierung im Zeitalter der Polykrise: Postindustrielle Demokratien und der deutsche Fall (VALDEMCRIS)”.
The role focuses on the German fieldwork for the European Values Study (EVS) and the World Values Survey (WVS), followed by preparation, analysis, and interpretation of the resulting data in the context of social change, value transformation, and cultural polarisation in democracies. The project is carried out in cooperation with Leuphana University Lüneburg (Prof. Dr. Christian Welzel).
Responsibilities
- Coordinate and carry out the German part of the European Values Study and the World Values Survey together with internal and external partners and service providers.
- Contribute to translating the English source questionnaires and additional project materials into German.
- Prepare datasets, monitor data quality during and after fieldwork, and compile the study documentation for EVS and WVS.
- Analyse and interpret survey data relating to value change and cultural polarisation in democratic societies.
- Conduct research using EVS and/or WVS data.
Requirements
- A very strong Master’s degree, or an equivalent qualification, in Sociology, Political Science, Survey Methodology, or another social science discipline.
- Helpful prior experience in analysing survey data and managing survey projects.
- Solid grounding in empirical social research and quantitative methods, including practical use of standard statistics software such as Stata and R.
- Strong interest in research on values and comparative social questions.
- Excellent written and spoken German and English skills.
Working Conditions
The position is classified under pay grade 13 TV-L, has a 75% workload, and is fixed term for three years.
Benefits
- Hands-on experience with data collection in two major international survey programmes, including project management, data handling, preparation, follow-up work, and access to an international network.
- A welcoming, collegial, and supportive work environment.
- Flexible working hours and arrangements for mobile working.
- Strong support for work-life balance, including subsidies for childcare for children not yet of school age.
- Comprehensive occupational health management and discounted access to the university sports programme.
- Generous retirement support through a direct insurance scheme.
- Opportunities to develop skills through further training.
Application Information
If you have questions about the role, you may contact Oshrat Hochman, PhD, by email. For questions about the application process, Franca Tosetti is the contact person by email.
Applications must be submitted via the online application portal by 27 July 2026 at the latest. Reference code: DRS-55.