Student assistant (m/f/d) in computer science or computational social science

The Weizenbaum Institute, founded in 2017, researches the effects of advancing digitalization on our society. With its recommendations for action, it contributes to ensuring that the digital transformation is sustainable, self-determined and responsible. The Weizenbaum Institute is supported by a network of seven partners, including the Free University of Berlin, the Humboldt University of Berlin, the Technical University of Berlin, the Berlin University of the Arts, the University of Potsdam, the Fraunhofer Institute for Open Communication Systems (FOKUS) and the Berlin Science Center for Social Research (WZB). The institute is financed by the BMBF and the state of Berlin. It is located in Berlin.

For our research group "Digital News Dynamics" at the Weizenbaum-Institut e.V. we are looking as of 15.10.2025 for a

The research project deals with the questions regarding the process of generation, examination, selection, dissemination of, and acting upon knowledge in the digital age. This includes knowledge production, validation, and dissemination systems (i.e., journalism and science), with a specific focus on computationally expensive methods. Following a reflexive approach, this project will explore the prerequisites for the reliable use of large language models (LLMs) to assist in large-scale literature-based research. You will be working directly with Dr. Yangliu Fan and LK Seiling, who are embedded in the Digital News Dynamics Research Group, the work and full team of which you can find on our website.

\ coding manually annotated training datasets,
\ assisting with the validation of LLM model performance,
\ assisting with the implementation of quality control mechanisms in LLM pipelines,
\ assisting with screening of relevant literature,
\ data collection and preparation

\ Enrollment in a master's degree in computational social science, computer science, or social science programs with strong data science skills
\ Good academic performance
\ Experience with machine learning and natural language processing tasks
\ Knowledge of or willingness to learn the implementation of LLM pipelines (for both training and inference)
\ Excellent communication skills
\ Willingness to contribute to an interdisciplinary work environment and engage with qualitative methods

\ flexible working hours and the option of mobile working on a daily basis
\ remuneration analogue to TV Stud III
\ insight into current research and everyday scientific work
\ close cooperation with the scientific staff
\ inspiring academic and international working environment in the heart of Berlin (near Bahnhof Zoo) with broad, interdisciplinary networks in research, media and politics

Severely disabled applicants with equal qualifications will be given preference. We value diversity and welcome all applications - regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic or social origin, religion, disability, age and sexual orientation. The Weizenbaum-Institut e.V. expressly encourages women and people with a history of migration to apply.
You can submit your application, consisting of a letter of motivation, CV, your current proof of matriculation and your academic certificates and grades, in our application portal by 18th June 2025. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Maite Vöhl from our HR team (personal[at]weizenbaum-institut.de) at any time. We look forward to receiving your documents.