The newly founded Max Planck Institute for the Political and Social Science studies contemporary challenges to political, social, and economic life. The institute places special emphasis on the political dimension, thereby spanning the spectrum from political sociology through conflict and peace research to political economy. Rigor and imagination guide the institute’s analytical and empirical approach, which draws inspiration from cross-disciplinary developments. The institute aims to produce new, evidence-based insights for pressing challenges to policy and contemporary society. At the Institute, the Department of Political Institutions and Conflict is inviting applications for the position of a
(part-time, 75% for one year, start date September 1, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter )
The newly established Department of Political Institutions and Conflict (led by Ursula Daxecker) is looking for a highly motivated scientist to contribute to research projects on Indian politics. Relevant projects explore support for democracy among citizens and elites, the causes and consequences of political violence, the integrity of elections, among others. The researcher will participate in the entire pipeline of the research process, and the PI has a record of placements in competitive Political Science PhD programs in the United States and Europe.
- Collect, code, process, and analyze observational and survey data for relevant research projects;
- Process and code qualitative data from news articles;
- Conduct literature reviews and assist with editing;
- Prepare data visualizations, tables, and other outputs for research projects;
- Carry out fieldwork and interviews in research locations;
- Assist with administrative responsibilities related to the project, including the organization of seminars and workshops, writing deliverables, data management, and dissemination of project findings in general audience venues;
- Be affiliated with and take active part in the research environment at the Department. Regular presence at the Institute is therefore required and researchers need to reside in commuting distance from Göttingen.
The following requirements are essential:
- A Master’s degree in Political Science, Economics, or closely related field;
- Advanced quantitative and computer skills, including demonstrated experience in data analysis and management using Stata, Python, and/or R;
- Experience with qualitative software such as Atlas.ti or similar;
- Familiarity with Latex, Overleaf, and/or Markdown;
- Demonstrated interest and expertise on Indian politics, and willingness to develop additional subject-matter and regional expertise;
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, Hindi, and/or Bengali;
- Independent thinking and critical analytical skills;
- The ability to work independently as well as collaborate in an interdisciplinary team.
The following requirements are desirable:
- Familiarity with causal inference methods;
- Experience with AI tools and LLM models.
- A partl-time (75%) position for a period of one year in a stimulating and internationally renowned research environment.
- Employment according to the collective wage agreement for the German public service (TVöD Bund, EG 13 ).
The Max Planck Society is mainly funded by German Federal and State Governments (see ). Max Planck Institutes provide outstanding facilities, academic resources and intellectual environments for the support of independent research. Max Planck Institutes are not tied to universities. There are no teaching obligations for staff, but teaching and other forms of co-operation with universities is possible.
The Max Planck Society wishes to increase the participation of women across the sciences. Applications from women are therefore particularly welcome. Following its commitment to equal opportunities employment policies, the Max Planck Society especially encourages applications from persons with a disability. Persons of any nationality can apply.
Applications must be submitted at INSERT LINK no later than Friday July 17. Applications must be submitted as a single pdf file and consist of:
- a CV;
- a one-page cover letter describing your interest and alignment with the requirements;
- the names and contact details of two referees who we may contact;
Please do NOT send additional materials with the initial application. IInterviews will be conducted remotely on July 31. We ask you to ensure availability on those dates.
The application deadline is 2026-07-17
Please do NOT send application materials or additional materials to this E-Mail address. Only applications submitted through the recruitment portal will be considered.
Queries should be directed to Sivia Störmer (silvia ). The Institute has been newly reestablished in 2026. For information on the institute, please consult ips.mpg.de.
Max-Planck-Institute for Political and Social Science
Hermann-Föge-Weg 11
37073 Göttingen, Germany
For information on the institute, please consult: https://www.ips.mpg.de
