Dear colleagues,
please find attached two job offers for positions for Ph.D students at
University of Bremen, related to a research project on social networks and
social inequality using survey and big data, led by our Excellence chair
Mario L. Small (Harvard).
We are grateful if you could forward this to possible candidates.
Thank you!
Betina Hollstein
The University of Bremen, U Bremen Excellence Chair Prof. Mario L. Small
PhD/ Research Group "Large-Scale Data and Field Research in the Study of
Social Networks" at the SOCIUM Research Center on Inequality and Social
Policy, invites applications for the following position
2 x 50% Research Associates (f/m/d) Positions for PhD-candidates in
Sociology
German pay-scale EG 13 TV-L (50%),
part time (50%) and limited until December 31, 2023
Start of contract: January 1, 2021.
The time limitation is based on § 2 (1) WissZeitVG
(Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz, i.e. temporary science employment act).
Therefore, candidates may only be considered who dispose of the respective
scope of qualification periods according to § 2 (1) WissZeitVG.
The University of Bremen, a mid-sized university with 320 professors, 19.500
students and a full-spectrum of academic disciplines is one of Europes
leading research universities and maintains close cooperation with
international universities and non-university research institutions in the
region. The promotion of young researchers is a core element of Bremen's
research strategy.
The 'U Bremen Excellence Chairs' program is a new initiative at University
of Bremen since 2019. It enables internationally outstanding researchers to
establish their own working groups at the university and to integrate them
into a network of excellent research institutions worldwide in their
respective disciplines. Mario L. Small's research group will study
Large-Scale Data and Field Research in the Study of Social Networks. One
major promise of big data was the ability to understand how social
networks emerge, operate, and shape human behavior on a much larger scale
than previously possible. However, as wide-eyed enthusiasm has given way to
sober analysis, researchers and the public have become increasingly aware of
the limitations of such data. This project will examine the extent to which
field-based research (interview and survey research) can help address the
limits of computationally intensive analysis of large-scale administrative
data. Focusing on problems such as boundary specification, locality of
interaction, algorithmic confounding, and misinterpretation of meaning, we
will examine the extent to which bringing field research to bear on the
analysis of large-scale administrative data can help improve our
understanding of the relationship between networks and social inequality.
Position 1:
Tasks:
* Conduct quantitative analysis of large-scale data and possibly
survey data related to social networks or inequality, broadly conceived;
* Work with a postdoctoral researcher and others to help design,
execute, and write the results of research combining field methods and
large-scale data;
* Conduct independent research and development of own PhD project
within the methodological and analytical framework of the group;
* Support the organisation of international workshops.
Requirements:
* Training and experience in quantitative empirical social research.
Either coursework or other forms of training in social networks are strongly
preferred but not required.
* A completed, high quality Master's degree in sociology, a related
social science, or an applied quantitative field.
* Demonstrated evidence of initiative, independence, drive,
efficiency, productivity, the ability to work in groups, and a commitment to
high quality social science research.
* High level of proficiency in English (including demonstrated
academic writing skills); proficiency in German is welcome, but not
required.
* Strong interest in developing connections with other researchers.
Experience gained at other national/international research institutions is
welcome.
Position 2:
Tasks:
* Conduct in-depth interviews or help conduct surveys with users,
non-users, designers, and others involved in online platforms related to
social networks or in other forms large-scale data related to inequality or
social networks, broadly conceived;
* Work with a postdoctoral researcher and others to help design,
execute, and write the results of research combining field methods and
large-scale data;
* Conduct independent research and development of own PhD project
within the methodological and analytical framework of the group;
* Support the organisation of international workshops.
Requirements:
* Training and experience in qualitative interview methods and
empirical social research. Either coursework or other forms of training in
social networks is useful but not required.
* A completed, high quality Master's degree in sociology or a related
social science.
* Demonstrated evidence of initiative, independence, drive,
efficiency, productivity, the ability to work in groups, and a commitment to
high quality social science research.
* High level of proficiency in English (including demonstrated
academic writing skills); proficiency in German is welcome, but not
required.
* Strong interest in developing connections with other researchers.
Experience gained at other national/international research institutions is
welcome.
Salary and benefits are linked to the German employee scale TVL13 (50%).
International candidates are highly encouraged to apply.
The review process will begin on September 1, 2020. Applications and
inquiries should be sent by August 31, 2020 with the reference number
A156/20 to
SOCIUM Forschungszentrum Ungleichheit und Sozialpolitik
Verwaltung, Frau Dorit Lafferenz
Postfach 33 04 40
28334 Bremen
or electronically as pdf-attachment to
<mailto:socium-bewerbungen@uni-bremen.de> socium-bewerbungen(a)uni-bremen.de.
Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.
Please note that the application should be submitted in English and that we
can only accept it if it includes all required documents as a single PDF
file: CV, a cover letter describing your background, interests, and
motivation for applying (all in English), academic certificates and a
written paper (in English or German).
The University of Bremen has received a number of awards for its gender and
diversity policies and is particularly aiming to increase the number of
female researchers. Applications from female candidates, international
applications and applications of academics with a migration background are
explicitly welcome. Disabled persons with the same professional and personal
qualifications will be given preference.
For further information please contact Prof. Mario L. Small, PhD (
<mailto:mario_small@harvard.edu> mario_small(a)harvard.edu) or Prof. Dr.
Betina Hollstein ( <mailto:betina.hollstein@uni-bremen.de>
betina.hollstein(a)uni-bremen.de).
