Das WZB ist eine öffentlich geförderte Einrichtung für problemorientierte sozialwissenschaftliche Grundlagenforschung ( http://www.wzb.eu ). Als außeruniversitäres Forschungsinstitut ist es Mitglied der Leibniz-Gemeinschaft und gehört zu den führenden Einrichtungen der Sozialforschung. Am WZB arbeiten ca. 450 deutsche und ausländische Wissenschaftler*innen verschiedener Disziplinen und Mitarbeiter*innen in den wissenschaftsunterstützenden Bereichen. Untersucht werden Entwicklungen, Probleme und Innovationschancen moderner Gesellschaften. Die Ergebnisse der WZB-Forschung richten sich an die wissenschaftliche Community, an Expert*innen und Entscheider*innen in Politik, Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft, an die Medien und die interessierte Öffentlichkeit.

The Berlin Social Science Center (WZB), Center for Civil Society Research (Head: Prof. Dr. Swen Hutter) is seeking

a research associate – doctoral candidate (75%) (ID 377)

for a three year period, starting on April 1, 2026. The researcher will work in the Manifesto Project (led by Dr. Pola Lehmann).

The Manifesto Project analyses parties’ election manifestos in order to study parties’ policy preferences. To this end, the project conducts content analysis of election manifestos from parties in over 60 countries, spanning from 1945 to the present. For the content analysis, the project is supported by coders from the respective countries. The project team coordinates the data collection and curation. The goal of the project is to provide the scientific community with the original texts and parties’ political preferences identified through content analysis ( https://manifestoproject.wzb.eu ).

The WZB Berlin Social Science Center is a publicly funded research institution that conducts cutting-edge theory-based and problem-oriented social science research ( http://www.wzb.eu/en ). WZB researchers come from across the globe and work across social science disciplines including sociology, political science, economics, law, and psychology. As a member of the Leibniz Association, WZB’s research is directed at the science community, policy makers, the media and the general public.

The opportunity to pursue a doctorate within the research area of elections, political parties, representation or text-as-data is available.

Your tasks and duties

• Training and supervision of the coders in accordance with the coding instructions of the project ( https://manifesto-project.wzb.eu/information/documents/handbooks )
• Development of the project’s infrastructure (e.g. Shiny Apps)
• Contribution to the organization of conferences and other events
• Presentation of project and research results at scientific conferences
• Authoring academic publications

• Successfully completed master’s degree in political science or a related discipline
• Interest in comparative research on parties, elections, and democracy
• Solid knowledge of social science research methods and statistical software (R or Python; if no prior knowledge of R: willingness to learn R)
• Ability to work both in a team and independently
• Excellent proficiency in English
• Knowledge of quantitative methods and/or computational text analysis is an advantage
• Experience with Git and LaTeX is also an advantage

• Remuneration in accordance with EG 13 TVöD Bund
• Additional benefits for public service employees (VBL U)
• Advice and support regarding visa and residence permit
• A well-equipped workplace in the center of Berlin
• International, cooperative, and diverse working environment
• In-depth integration into the scientific community through colloquiums and conferences
• Thorough instruction and guidance
• Flexible working hours and the possibility of mobile working (at least 20% of the weekly working hours agreed in the contract)
• We promote a good work-life balance
• Comprehensive program for continuous professional development and further qualification, in the own discipline and beyond
• Reduced monthly ticket for local public transport (Jobticket or Deutschlandticket Job)
• Counselling and support services for WZB employees in difficult life situations

We value diversity and welcome all applications – irrespective of gender, nationality, ethnic or social origin, religion, disability, age, or sexual orientation. WZB expressly encourages women or persons with migration backgrounds to apply. Equally qualified applicants with disabilities will be given preference.

If you have any questions regarding the job opening, please contact our assistants’ office (Müge Yerdenler and Iryna Mazynska) at +49 3025491 303.

Job interviews will likely take place in the week starting February 9, 2026.

For more information about the Center for Civil Society Research, see https://wzb.eu/en/research/dynamics-of-political-systems/center-for-civil-society-research

For more information about WZB, see www.wzb.eu

We are looking forward to receiving your application via our online application tool by January 25, 2026.