Research Assistant (Pre‑Doctoral) – 65% Part‑Time

About the role

The Institute for Eastern European Studies at Freie Universität Berlin is launching a DFG‑funded research group on "Entangled Energies" in summer 2026. We seek a pre‑doctoral research assistant (65% part‑time) for a four‑year fixed‑term contract to work on the sub‑project "Biographical Footprints of Energy and Political Elites in Russia and Kazakhstan".

Key responsibilities

• Develop and write a doctoral dissertation on the political role of energy elites in Russia and Kazakhstan.
• Conduct quantitative political‑science analyses, including text‑as‑data investigations of elite rhetoric.
• Collaborate on joint academic papers with the project leader and other group members.
• Participate in the sub‑project’s academic events and the broader research group’s activities.
• Potentially carry out qualitative fieldwork in Kazakhstan, subject to political conditions.

Required profile

• Master’s degree in Political Science, Economics, or a related social‑science discipline.
• Excellent English (C1) and fluent Russian.
• Strong knowledge of quantitative research methods in the social sciences.
• Knowledge of Kazakh is advantageous but not mandatory.

Required skills

• Quantitative methods in social‑science research.
• Text‑as‑data analysis tools.

What we offer

• Fixed‑term contract (four years) at TV‑L FU pay grade 13.
• Opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary, internationally networked research group.
• Access to academic resources and events at a leading German university.