The Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science in Göttingen, Germany, is inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow (m/f/d) in Political Science within its newly established Department of Political Institutions and Conflict. This is a full-time, three-year research position designed for highly qualified scholars who are interested in interdisciplinary, data-driven research on political institutions, conflict, and democratic transformation.
This postdoctoral opportunity is hosted under the broader umbrella of the Max Planck Society, one of the world’s leading research organizations, known for its excellence in scientific innovation, independent research, and global academic collaboration.
Overview of the Postdoctoral Fellowship
The Department of Political Institutions and Conflict focuses on understanding how political institutions shape conflict dynamics and democratic processes. The department explores critical global issues such as political violence, democratic erosion, and electoral integrity, with a strong empirical emphasis on the Global South.The position is designed for early-career researchers who are ready to contribute to cutting-edge academic research while developing their own independent scholarly trajectory within a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment.
Research Focus Areas
The department organizes its work around three major themes:
- Institutions and political violence
- Democratic politics in transformation
- Political economy of electoral integrity
Researchers are expected to engage with these themes through both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The department places particular emphasis on:
- Survey-based research
- Observational causal inference
- Fieldwork and interviews
- Analysis of administrative and event data
Key Responsibilities
Selected candidates will be expected to:
- Conduct high-quality independent and collaborative research aligned with the department’s themes
- Co-author academic articles with department members
- Participate in fieldwork and conduct interviews in relevant research locations
- Support the recruitment of PhD students and junior researchers
- Co-supervise and mentor junior researchers and doctoral candidates
- Assist in administrative and academic coordination tasks, including:
- Organizing workshops
- Managing data
- Preparing project deliverables
- Disseminating research findings to broader audiences
- Actively participate in the department’s research environment
- Maintain regular in-person presence in Göttingen, as residence within commuting distance is required
Candidates must have:
- A PhD degree (or equivalent) in Political Science completed before the start date
- A strong publication record in high-quality international journals or demonstrated potential for such output
- Proven interest in the department’s research themes
- Strong quantitative research skills, including:
- Panel regression analysis
- Handling large administrative datasets
- Survey data analysis
- Statistical programming in tools such as R or Stata
- Excellent written and spoken English communication skills
- Strong analytical thinking and independent research ability
- A commitment to academic integrity and transparency
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams
Desirable Qualifications
The following will strengthen an application:
- Familiarity with causal inference methodologies
- Regional expertise in Global South contexts such as West Africa or South Asia
- Additional language skills relevant to research regions (e.g., Hindi or Bengali)
- Experience collecting, coding, and analyzing event data
- Experience conducting fieldwork and qualitative interviews
Benefits of the Position
- Full-time postdoctoral appointment for three years
- Competitive salary aligned with the German public service wage agreement (TVöD Bund, EG 13), depending on experience
- Access to a globally recognized research environment with advanced academic resources
- Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and international networking
- No formal teaching obligations, allowing full focus on research
- Possibility to engage with universities and teaching activities if desired
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit a single PDF file including:
- Curriculum Vitae with a list of publications
- A two-page cover letter outlining research interests and alignment with the department
- A two-page research proposal related to the department’s themes
- Contact details of three referees
- One writing sample (published article or equivalent), with clarification of contribution if co-authored
Only complete applications submitted in a single PDF will be considered. No additional materials should be included.
Important Dates
- Application Deadline: May 3, 2026
- Interview Dates (remote): June 11–12, 2026
- Expected Start Date: September 1, 2026 (or earlier if agreed)
Additional Information
- Applicants of all nationalities are eligible to apply
- Women are especially encouraged to apply as part of efforts to improve gender representation in science
- Applicants with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply under equal opportunity policies
- The position requires residence within commuting distance of Göttingen
- Regular physical presence at the institute is mandatory
This postdoctoral fellowship offers an exceptional opportunity to work at a premier research institution, contribute to impactful global research on political institutions and conflict, and develop a strong academic career in political science. Candidates with strong quantitative expertise, research experience, and interest in global political dynamics are especially encouraged to apply.
Application Deadline: May 3, 2026
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