Research Associate – CONSTRUCT Project (Democratic Citizenship)

About the role

The Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences is seeking a part‑time Research Associate for the CONSTRUCT project, which investigates citizens' perceived roles and capacities in modern democracies. The position runs from 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2029 on a fixed‑term basis, with a possible extension.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct qualitative interviews with citizens across several countries.
• Develop and validate a quantitative measurement instrument for Constructive Citizenship Behavior.
• Perform literature reviews and assist in designing surveys and experimental studies.
• Analyze quantitative data to identify causes, correlates, and consequences of the new construct.
• Collaborate with project partners, contribute to academic publications, and present findings at conferences.

Required profile

• Master’s degree in political science, sociology, or a related social science field.
• Strong interest in democratic theory, citizen participation, and comparative research.
• Experience with qualitative interview techniques and quantitative survey research.
• Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.

Required skills

• Proficiency in academic literature review and research design.
• Familiarity with qualitative data analysis software (e.g., NVivo, MAXQDA).
• Competence in statistical analysis tools (e.g., SPSS, R, Stata).

What we offer

• Fixed‑term contract (75 % of full‑time hours) with a salary according to TV‑L EGR 13.
• Opportunity to contribute to a high‑impact, DFG‑funded research project.
• Support for further academic qualifications, including doctoral studies.
• Collaborative academic environment within a leading German university.