The University of Konstanz is a dynamic and internationally successful research university with approximately 10,000 students. The campus university’s architecture promotes interdisciplinary cooperation and a sense of community among researchers, lecturers and students. The University of Konstanz has been continuously funded by the German Excellence Strategy since 2006.
The position is based in the working group of Juniorprofessor for Political Behavior Lukas Rudolph. The working group studies electoral behavior, political representation, and the politics of the Green Transition with a focus on quantitative and experimental methods. The doctoral position is embedded in a , which examines how grievances rooted in spatial inequality shape citizens' demand for local representation and what this means for the transition to a greener economy. The project combines long-term analysis of candidate voting in Bavarian state elections (1966–2023) with original survey experiments tied to green infrastructure projects. It is conducted in collaboration with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thomas Däubler (University College Dublin, UCD). Key questions asked by the project include: How does long-term economic transformation shape citizens' demand for local political representation? Does exposure to green infrastructure projects affect voting for local candidates and support for climate policy? Does this help or hinder finding compromise on Green Transition policies?
The doctoral researcher will contribute to the project while developing an independent dissertation within its broader research domain. The successful applicant will be enrolled in the Graduate School of the Social and Behavioral Sciences with a specialization in "Inequality Research". Project tasks and responsibilities include digitizing historical candidate vote data in cooperation with the Bavarian State Statistical Office, analyzing how spatial inequalities and green infrastructure projects shape support for local candidates across space and time, and developing survey experiments related to green infrastructure conflicts in Bavaria. We invite applications from individuals eager to contribute to our dynamic international research community independently and in collaboration with the project team, advancing the understanding of pressing global challenges.
- Master’s degree in relevant field (completion by 09/26)
- Strong training in quantitative methods; experience with causal inference/survey experiments is a plus
- Proficiency in statistical software (R, Stata, or Python)
- Interest in electoral behavior, political representation, spatial inequalities, and/or environmental politics
- Enthusiasm for conducting high-quality academic research
- Ability to work constructively and effectively as part of a research team; high degree of independence and willingness to learn
- Excellent English writing and oral communication skills; knowledge of German not required, but reading skills are beneficial for conducting the empirical work
- Vibrant research environment at the Department and the Cluster of Excellence
- Close supervision by JProf. Dr. Lukas Rudolph and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thomas Däubler
- Funding for conference travel, methods training, and a short research stay at UCD
- Professional development opportunities
- Salary including social benefits under scale E 13 TV-L, 75%
- A letter of motivation (maximum 2 pages)
- A Curriculum Vitae
- Names and contacts of two potential references
- Transcripts of records and similar certificates
- A writing sample (thesis, term paper, or similar)
Questions can be directed to JProf. Dr. Lukas Rudolph via e-mail .
We look forward to receiving your application (compiled as a single PDF file) by July 5th, 2026 via our .
The University of Konstanz is committed to ensuring an environment that provides equal opportunities and promotes diversity, as well as a good balance between university and family life. As an equal opportunity employer, we strive to increase the number of women working in research and teaching. We also support working couples through our . Persons with disabilities are explicitly encouraged to apply. They will be given preference if appropriately qualified (contact , + 49 7531 88-4016).
