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Vacancy Announcement: Doctoral Researcher (Graduate Student) (f/m/d) in Political Science

The Political Economy Lab (Prof. Michael Bechtel) is looking for a doctoral researcher starting starting April 1 2023

The political economy lab (Prof. Michael M. Bechtel) at the University of Cologne explores how countries can address large-scale economic and environmental sustainability problems. Current projects analyze international climate cooperation, the politics of natural disasters, and policy responses to economic crises. The research group is part of the Department of Political Science and European Affairs, the Cluster of Excellence ECONtribute, and the Cologne Center for Comparative Politics.

Your Profile:

  • An interest in improving your scientific understanding of major environmental and economic policy problems
  • An excellent MA degree in political science, economics, sociology, or statistics/methods
  • Analytical skills combined with a thorough understanding of modern political science theories
  • Strong research design and quantitative methods skills
  • Ideally, proficiency in one or several of the following: experiments/causal inference techniques, survey methods, time-series analysis, quantitative text analysis
  • Very good writing skills

Your Tasks:

  • Pursuing independent and collaborative political science research in one of the areas identified above
  • Participating in graduate-level courses, summer schools, conferences, and other academic activities within and outside of the department
  • Teaching courses in the order of three hours per semester
  • Assisting with administrative and service work

We offer:

  • A commitment to academic training and advising leading to a doctorate in Political Science
  • An environment that supports and rewards excellence
  • International academic collaboration and publishing
  • An international network of leading scholars and opportunities for cooperating within the Cluster of Excellence ECONtribute
  • A doctorate from an internationally recognized institution
  • A diverse and fair working environment
  • Support in reconciling work and family life
  • Flexible working time models
  • Extensive advanced training opportunities
  • Local transport ticket at a discount for UoC employees

The position is available as of April 1 2023 on a 75% basis. It is initially awarded for two years, renewable for two subsequent years. If the applicant meets the relevant wage requirements and personal qualifications, the salary is based on remuneration group 13 TV-L of the pay scale for the German public sector.
The University of Cologne is committed to equal opportunities and diversity. Women are especially encouraged to apply and will be considered preferentially in accordance with the Equal Opportunities Act of North Rhine-Westphalia (Landesgleichstellungsgesetz – LGG NRW). We also expressly welcome applications from people with disabilities / special needs or of equal status.

Please submit your application in English at: https://jobportal.uni-koeln.de including a cover letter, CV, copies of transcripts and degree certificates, two letters of recommendation, and one writing sample that showcases analytical, methodological, and academic writing skills. Direct link to the application page: https://jobportal.uni-koeln.de/bewerben/1039.

The reference number is Wiss2211-10. The application deadline is March 1 2023.

Further information as pdf

Contact: 
Questions can be directed at Prof. Michael M. Bechtel (mbechtel.office@wiso.uni-koeln.de).