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 01.09.2025 our Department Data and Research on Society , Team Family Surveys located in Mannheim or Cologne , is looking for a

Research Associate in Questionnaire Development (PhD 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. In close cooperation with the Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB), we conduct FReDA – a data infrastructure for family research. FReDA is designed as a panel study including anchors and their partners who are interviewed in self-administered modes. The BiB/FReDA study " Refugees from Ukraine in Germany ” is also conducted as part of FReDA.

Your tasks will be:

• Creation and conceptualization of survey materials for the FReDA panel (esp. programming questionnaires)
• Support in implementing the FReDA panel (esp. survey data quality control)
• Coordination with national project partners
• Writing a PhD thesis in survey methodology or family sociology based on FReDA data

Your profile:

• Very good master’s degree in survey methodology, data science, sociology, psychology, or another social science subject
• Very good knowledge of quantitative research methods
• First experiences with the analysis of survey data and the implementation of survey projects is an advantage
• Very good knowledge of German and English (spoken and written)

Our Benefits:

• Practical experience with data collection in the context of FReDA as a scientifically, socially, and politically highly relevant data infrastructure
• A motivating work environment in a friendly and collegial atmosphere, as well as excellent team collaboration
• Flexible working hours and the possibility of up to 60% mobile working within Germany
• 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. Tobias Gummer via E-Mail ( tobias.gummer@gesis.org ). If you have questions about the application process, please contact Michaela Schwarzhaupt via E-Mail ( michaela.schwarzhaupt@gesis.org ).

Please apply via our Online-application portal until 24.07.2025 .
Our reference number is: DRS-43