The WZB (Berlin Social Science Center), Research Unit Inequality and Social Policy (Director: Prof. David Brady, Ph.D.), is offering positions for two Postdoctoral Researchers for the time period of up to three years starting on August 1, 2014, with 39 weekly working hours.

The WZB is a publicly financed international social science institution that conducts basic research that is theory-based and problem-oriented (see: http://www.wzb.eu/en). The USP research unit studies the causes and consequences of poverty/inequality and social policy, and the relationships between poverty/inequality and social policy (see:http://www.wzb.eu/en/research/education-work-and-life-chances/inequality-and-social-policy).

Tasks: The research fellow will work independently, including the conceptualization and implementation of research projects and publications, in at least one of the unit’s thematic research areas. The fellow will be granted substantial autonomy to conduct independent research. The fellow will also be expected to collaborate with and mentor other scholars, and actively participate in the department’s workshops, conferences, and activities. Resources are available for research and travel.

Requirements: Applicants must have completed the Ph.D. by the start date. Applicants should have a Ph.D. in sociology, political science, public policy, social policy, or a related social science. Preference will be given to applicants aiming for a career in academic research and teaching, those with publications in leading social science journals and academic presses, and those with highly promising research agendas. Excellent English writing and communication skills are required, while knowledge of German is not necessary. Applicants should have experience with quantitative methods and data.

Salary for the position: Group E 14 TVöD (in accordance with German public service collective agreement)

Equally well qualified disabled applicants will be given preference. The WZB expressly invites women and people with an immigrant background to apply.

Candidates are kindly requested to submit a CV and cover letter (in English) not later thanFebruary 17, 2014. The CV should contain a list of publications and contact information for at least three references (but please do not send letters of reference at this time). The cover letter should contain a dissertation summary and a research agenda for the near future. Also, the cover letter should articulate common interests and potential collaboration with the USP department.

Please, send your application by Email (one pdf-file) to

Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung (WZB)
buero.brady-usp@wzb.eu with “post-doctoral fellow application” in the subject line.