The German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) is one of the world’s leading research institutions and think tanks for global sustainable development. It contributes, through research, policy advice and training, to finding answers to global questions affecting our future.

We offer an excellent and support-intensive research environment in the field of development policy with regular research workshops with internationally recognized scientists, international conferences, and the opportunity to participate in research stays abroad.

IDOS Research Department "Transformation of Political (Dis-)order" is looking for a

Researcher (m/f/diverse) - Position No. 2026-D-01

Full time 100%, 39 hours/week until 31.12.2026

Part time 50-70%, 19,5-27,3 hours/week for the remainder of the contract period

German public sector tariff, EG13TVöD Bund (https://oeffentlicher-dienst.info/tvoed/bund/) according to qualifications

Salary range between 62.500 – 89.500 Euro gross (100%)

Subject to final approval of funds, the position may be filled as soon as possible and is limited to 24 months with a possible option of contract extension.

The position is part of the new project "Dialogues for Democracy (D4D)". It seeks to create trusted spaces around and within policy forums that are not traditionally engaging prominently with discussions around democracy. The purpose of these dialogues is to examine how democracy intersects with, and is affected by, the sectoral issues at hand (for example, security, trade, sustainability). Working strategically and in close partnership with policy actors, the project contributes to convey a honest and substantive discussion on the role of democracy in these topics and support developing a shared, evidence-based vision for embedding democracy considerations into these sectoral conversations.

If you have obtained a foreign university degree, please attach the database excerpt from Anabin to your application documents as proof of recognition of the degree by the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK).

Qualifications and requirements:

• A Master with excellent grades in one of the following areas: social sciences, political science, sociology or international relations. Alternatively, a focus on training/adult education and digitalization is possible;
• Proven knowledge in and experience in the field of democracy promotion;
• Capability to write policy-oriented papers;
• Proven organizational skills;
• Experience in organizing high level stakeholder meeting or policy conference is an asset;
• Research or work experience in an international context is an asset;
• Willingness to work in an interdisciplinary, globally dispersed team in the intersection between research and policy;
• Fluent written and spoken English and a further UN-Language, good command of German is an asset
• Willingness and aptness to travel abroad, including countries with a tropical climate ("Tropentauglichkeit").

We offer:

• Flexible working hours with a weekly working time of 39h (100%) / 19,5h-27,3h (50-70%);
• Possibility of mobile working ("Homeoffice” within Germany up to 60% per week);
• Possibility to use a subsidized Deutschland-Job-Ticket and good access to public transportation;
• Special annual payment in accordance with TVöD Bund "Collective agreement of the federal government”;
• Up to 30 days annual vacation plus 6 days company vacation;
• Trainings for further professional development;
• Employer`s contribution to the company pension scheme at VBLU;
• Many more social and monetary benefits.

We actively promote equality between women and men as well as the diversity of all people in our institute. Therefore, we welcome applications from people of colour, people of all nationalities, religions and beliefs, sexual orientations and gender identities, all age groups and people with disabilities. We are also looking forward to receiving applications from people with a family migration history.

IDOS is certified by the audit workandfamily – Compatibility of work and family.

For further questions, please contact Dr. Julia Leininger (Julia.Leininger@idos-research.de).

Applications with the position number 2026-D-01 with detailed documents (cover letter, curriculum vitae, relevant certificates) must be submitted exclusively via application portal (https://onlinebewerbungsserver.de/ApplyForm/AppStart.aspx?c=6_CC_5E_D5_7C_D7_7Bv_06w1b_FC_80Y_DD_7F_AD_88_17_20_96_9D_F4M_5D_C8_CC_85_FD_7DY_9A_C3_C0_3F_E4_A28_82_B6_EF_5C_0D_1C_AD_3A_EF) by 08. May 2026 at 23:59 CET. The expected date for interviews is in calender week 21.

Bereitgestellt in Kooperation mit der Bundesagentur für Arbeit.