GESIS – Leibniz-Institute for the Social Sciences is an internationally active research institute, funded by federal and state governments and member of the Leibniz Association. Starting on October 1, 2025 our Departments Computational Social Science (CSS) and Data Services for the Social Sciences (DSS) located in Cologne , are looking for a

Postdoctoral Researcher for Platform Data and Computational Social Science
(Salary group 14 TV-L, working time 100 %, initially for 4 years with possible tenure)

The department Computational Social Science (CSS) collects digital behavioral data and provides computer-based methods for collecting and analyzing such data for social science research. The department Data Services for the Social Sciences (DSS) archives research data and provides it to the social science research community .

The advertised postdoctoral position is located in both departments on a 50/50 basis and is responsible for advancing and coordinating the GESIS activities for the access to online platform data within the framework of the Digital Services Act (DSA).

Your tasks will be:

• Coordinating GESIS’ activities related to scientific access to online platform data, with a particular focus on the DSA
• Planning, organizing, and participating in events and dialogue formats with external stakeholders in the context of the DSA, in particular researchers, academic communities, regulatory authorities and online platforms
• Designing, implementing and maintaining data access services under the DSA framework, such as guides and consulting for researchers, data documentation and data products
• Conducting research using online platform data, for example with a focus on data quality and the scientific (re)usability of platform data
• Securing third-party funding to support both your own research and the development of research-based infrastructure services

Your profile:

• Very good Master’s and Doctoral degree in the social sciences (e.g., communication science, political science, sociology, psychology), applied computer science, or a related discipline.
• A demonstrated international research profile in the field of online platform data and well-established links to relevant international academic communities
• Experience with and interest in working on infrastructure or open source projects
• Strong quantitative skills and proficiency in R and/or Python
• Excellent English skills and good German language abilities

Our Benefits:

• An international and interdisciplinary working environment that will also support you in further developing your own research profile
• Flexible working hours and GESIS has established regulations for mobile working
• Very good conditions for reconciling work and family life, e.g. subsidies for childcare for children who have not yet attained the age of compulsory schooling
• Holistic company health management and discounted participation in the university's sports programme
• Generous support for your pension provision as a direct insurance policy
• Promotion of your skills through further training measures

Contact

For further information concerning the tasks please contact Prof. Dr. Sebastian Stier (sebastian.stier@gesis.org) and/or Prof. Dr. Katrin Weller (katrin.weller@gesis.org) via E-Mail. If you have questions about the application process, please contact Franca Tosetti via E-Mail (franca.tosetti@gesis.org).

Interested?

Please apply via our Online-application portal

Our reference number is: DSS-21