GESIS – Leibniz-Institute for the Social Sciences is an internationally active research institute, funded by federal and state governments and a member of the Leibniz Association. Starting at the next possible opportunity, our department Data and Research on Society , Team National Election Studies , located in Mannheim, is looking for an

Research Associate in election and political attitude research
(Doctoral candidate)

(Salary group 13 TV-L, working time 75 %, limited to 4 years)

Monitoring current social developments is a primary objective of the social sciences. The department Data and Research on Society supports the social sciences in this task, by providing comprehensive data and tools to describe and analyse social changes. The team National Election Studies conducts the German Longitudinal Election Study (GLES).

Your tasks will be:

• Collaboration in the conducting, data review, and documentation of GLES studies, in particular the GLES Rolling Cross-Section and the GLES Tracking
• Collaboration on further developments of GLES content and methodology
• Collaboration in the emerging GESIS-wide joint survey platform
• Conducting own research using GLES data, publishing results in specialist literature, and presenting at international conferences
• Dissertation in the field of election and political attitude research, Political Psychology, or Political Sociology

Your profile:

• Very good master's degree in a social science subject (e.g., Sociology, Political Science, Psychology, Media and Communication Studies)
• Good knowledge of empirical social research methods and statistical analysis of survey data using common software (e.g., Stata, R) as well as interest in empirical election and political attitude research
• Interest in survey methodology; experience in designing and conducting surveys is advantageous
• Native-level German language skills (C2) and fluent written and spoken English (at least B1)
• Strong teamwork, communication, and organizational skills, as well as an independent and proactive approach to work

Our Benefits:

• Opportunity to gain practical experience in data collection and research data management within a renowned national survey program
• Support of research activities by facilitating participation in international conferences and workshops, promoting the implementation of open science principles (e.g., support for open access publications), and providing assistance with applications for and administration of third-party funded projects.
• 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 program
• Generous support for your pension provision as a direct insurance policy
• Promotion of your skills through further training measures; participation in the structured interdisciplinary graduate program of GESIS (GESIS Doctoral Program)

Contact

For further information concerning the tasks, please contact Manuela Blumenberg via E-Mail (manuela.blumenberg@gesis.org) or phone +49-621-1246-431. If you have questions about the application process, please contact Michaela Schwarzhaupt via E-Mail (michaela.schwarzhaupt@gesis.org).

Interested?

Please apply via our online application portal by September 7th, 2025. The reference number of this vacancy is: DRS-44