Doctoral research fellow (f/m/x) Politics of Digitalisation

For a new EU-funded project led by the research group Politics of Digitalisation (POLDI), the WZB Berlin Social Science Center is looking for a

doctoral research fellow (f/m/x)

on a temporary basis (three years), with the employment period starting on 1st February 2025 und running until 31 January 2028, and a weekly working load of 29,25 hours (75%). The research fellow and the project work will be supervised by Dr. Julia Pohle, co-leader of the POLDI research group.

The WZB Berlin Social Science Center is a publicly financed research institution that conducts leading edge theory-based and problem-oriented social science research. WZB researchers come from across the globe and work across social science disciplines including sociology, political science, economics, law, and psychology. A member of the Leibniz Association, WZB’s research is directed at the science community, policy makers, the media and the general public.

The FORSEE (Forging Successful AI Applications for European Economy and Society) project is funded by the European Union as a cooperation project, coordinated by the University College Dublin. It aims to offer sociologically grounded insights into stakeholders’ expectations and criteria of success regarding AI systems, to examine how these align with existing governance mechanisms, such as the regulatory framework of the AI Act, as well as with other important strategic priorities and values of the EU, in particular digital autonomy, sustainability, and fundamental rights. FORSEE’s ambition is to produce a revised conceptualization of AI systems evaluation and a democratised approach to AI governance, informed by sociological research into concrete AI deployments, institutional contexts, public debates and controversies, and competing stakeholder visions.

The doctoral researcher employed as part of the WZB involvement in FORSEE will support several work packages led by project partners, and substantially contribute to WP6, which is coordinated by the WZB and focusses on the alinement of AI success criteria with the EU digital sovereignty strategy. The position is ideal for doctoral researchers who wish to conduct their doctoral research in close alignment with the project, and seek to enhance their international research exposure, further develop research design and analysis skills and engage in collaborative academic work.

Your tasks and duties

• Conducting qualitative research (primarily policy analysis and discourse analysis);
• Preparing and conducting expert interviews;
• Interpretation and presentation of research findings;
• Participation in project meetings;
• Preparation and co-authorship of scientific publications;
• Participation in and presenting results at scientific events;
• Supporting the WZB project lead in planning and coordinating the project work and reports;
• Participation in the regular team meetings and colloquium of the WZB research group.

Your qualifications profile

• Completed Master's degree with excellent grades in a social science discipline (in particular political sciences, communication studies, STS, or a related field);
• Very good organizational skills, capability to work independently and as a team member;
• Previous experience with discourse and policy analysis.
• Existing expertise / proven interest in the thematic area of the project;
• Excellent oral and written command of the English language;
• Oral and written command of the German language is an asset.

Our offer

• Remuneration in accordance with EG 13 TVöD Bund;
• Additional benefits for public service employees (VBL U);
• Advice and support regarding visa and residence permit;
• A well-equipped workplace in the center of Berlin;
• International, cooperative, and diversified working environment;
• In-depth integration into the scientific community in the form of colloquiums and conferences;
• Thorough instruction and guidance;
• Flexible working hours and the possibility of mobile working (at least 20% of the weekly working hours agreed in the contract);
• We promote a good work-life balance;
• Comprehensive program for continuous professional development and further qualification, in the own discipline and beyond;
• Cafeteria with modern recreation rooms;
• Reduced monthly ticket for local public transport (Jobticket or Deutschlandticket Job).

Equally qualified applicants with disabilities will be given preference. We value diversity and welcome all applications – irrespective of gender, nationality, ethnic or social origin, religion, disability, age, or sexual orientation. WZB expressly encourages women or persons with migration backgrounds to apply.

If you have any questions regarding the job opening, please contact Yuting Tang, +49 30 25491 625.

More information about the POLDI research group can be found here. For more information about WZB, see www.wzb.eu.

Candidates are requested to submit the following documents in English in a single PDF-file, no later than 30 September 2024:

• Cover letter outlining motivation, previous experiences, career plans, research interests, and research skills;
• Curriculum Vitae;
• Writing sample of no more than 8 pages (e.g., essays, term papers, or thesis chapters) OR
  5-page proposal for a dissertation topic;
• Copies of relevant certificates and/or references.