The
University of Bremen, U Bremen Excellence Chair Prof.
Mario L. Small PhD/ Research Group „Large-Scale Data and
Field Research in the Study of Social Networks“ at the
SOCIUM - Research Center on Inequality and Social Policy,
invites applications for the following position
2 x 50% Research Associates (f/m/d)
Positions for PhD-candidates in Sociology
German pay-scale EG 13 TV-L (50%),
part time (50%) and limited until December 31, 2023.
Start of contract: January 1, 2021.
The time limitation is based on § 2 (1) WissZeitVG (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz,
i.e. temporary science employment
act). Therefore, candidates may only be considered
who dispose of the respective scope of qualification periods
according to § 2 (1) WissZeitVG.
The
University of Bremen, a mid-sized university with 320
professors, 19.500 students and a full-spectrum of academic
disciplines is one of Europe's leading research universities
and maintains close cooperation with international universities
and non-university research institutions in the region.
The promotion of young researchers is a core element of
Bremen's research strategy.
The ,U Bremen Excellence Chairs' program is a new initiative
at University of Bremen since 2019. It enables internationally
outstanding researchers to establish their own working
groups at the university and to integrate them into a network
of excellent research institutions worldwide in their respective
disciplines. Mario L. Small's research group will study
“Large-Scale Data and Field Research in the Study of Social
Networks.“ One major promise of “big data“ was the ability
to understand how social networks emerge, operate, and
shape human behavior on a much larger scale than
previously possible. However, as wide-eyed enthusiasm has
given way to sober analysis, researchers and the public have
become increasingly aware of the limitations of such data.
This project will examine the extent to which field-based
research (interview and survey research) can help address
the limits of computationally intensive analysis of large-scale
administrative data. Focusing on problems such as boundary
specification, locality of interaction, algorithmic confounding,
and misinterpretation of meaning, we will examine the extent
to which bringing field research to bear on the analysis of
large-scale administrative data can help improve our
understanding of the relationship between networks and
social inequality.
Position 1:
Tasks:
- Conduct quantitative analysis of large-scale data and
possibly survey data related to social networks or
inequality, broadly conceived;
- Work with a postdoctoral researcher and others to help
design, execute, and write the results of research
combining field methods and large-scale data ;
- Conduct independent research and development of own
PhD project within the methodological and analytical
framework of the group ;
- Support the organisation of international workshops.
Requirements:
- Training and experience in quantitative empirical social
research. Either coursework or other forms of training in
social networks are strongly preferred but not required.
- A completed, high quality Master's degree in sociology,
a related social science, or an applied quantitative field.
- Demonstrated evidence of initiative, independence, drive,
efficiency, productivity, the ability to work in groups, and
a commitment to high quality social science research.
- High level of proficiency in English (including demonstrated
academic writing skills); proficiency in German is
welcome, but not required.
- Strong interest in developing connections with other
researchers. Experience gained at other national/
international research institutions is welcome.
Position 2:
Tasks:
- Conduct in-depth interviews or help conduct surveys with
users, non-users, designers, and others involved in online
platforms related to social networks or in other forms
large-scale data related to inequality or social networks,
broadly conceived;
- Work with a postdoctoral researcher and others to help
design, execute, and write the results of research
combining field methods and large-scale data ;
- Conduct independent research and development of own
PhD project within the methodological and analytical
framework of the group ;
- Support the organisation of international workshops.
Requirements:
- Training and experience in qualitative interview methods
and empirical social research. Either coursework or other
forms of training in social networks is useful but not required.
- A completed, high quality Master's degree in sociology or
a related social science.
- Demonstrated evidence of initiative, independence, drive,
efficiency, productivity, the ability to work in groups, and a
commitment to high quality social science research.
- High level of proficiency in English (including demonstrated
academic writing skills); proficiency in German is
welcome, but not required.
- Strong interest in developing connections with other
researchers. Experience gained at other national/
international research institutions is welcome.
Salary and benefits are linked to the German employee scale
TVL13 (50%). International candidates are highly encouraged
to apply.
The review process will begin on September 1, 2020.
Applications and inquiries should be sent by August 31,
2020 with the reference number A156/20 to
SOCIUM - Forschungszentrum Ungleichheit und
Sozialpolitik
Verwaltung, Frau Dorit Lafferenz
Postfach 33 04 40
28334 Bremen
or electronically as pdf-attachment to socium-bewerbungen@uni-bremen.de.
Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.
Please note that the application should be submitted in
English and that we can only accept it if it includes all
required documents as a single PDF file: CV, a cover letter
describing your background, interests, and motivation for
applying (all in English), academic certificates and a written
paper (in English or German).
The University of Bremen has received a number of awards
for its gender and diversity policies and is particularly aiming
to increase the number of female researchers. Applications
from female candidates, international applications and
applications of academics with a migration background are
explicitly welcome. Disabled persons
with the same professional and personal
qualifications will be given preference.
For further information please contact
Prof. Mario L. Small, PhD (
mario_small@
harvard.edu) or Prof. Dr. Betina Hollstein
(
betina.hollstein@uni-bremen.de).