Postdoc position in joint FAU/ V-Dem project on academic freedom (30 months)

Postdoc Position

FAU’s Institute of Political Science in Erlangen will hire a postdoc for 30 months to contribute both empirically and theoretically to a better understanding of the research sector’s role in de mocratization and autocratization processes. A human rights related research focus is particu larly welcome. Remuneration will be based in accordance with the German public pay scale TVL 13. The collection of expert-coded data on civic and academic space together with each update on academic freedom opens several avenues for innovative research. The conjoint collection of data on polarization, political violence, mass mobilization, or citizen engagement as well as the availability of many more indicators in the V-Dem dataset facilitates much needed further stud ies on determinants and/or consequences of academic freedom violations (and, where rele vant, interactions with other human rights violations). The postdocs are free to propose a specific research question and theoretical framework in a research proposal of 2 pages. We hope to recruit a promising young scholar who has the potential to push the research frontier and who will contribute exciting ideas and expertise.

The postdoc will also coordinate the annual launch of the Academic Freedom Index and related outreach on the newest index data (approx. 3 months per year). The remaining time will be re served for individual and collaborative research with the data. The postdoc to be recruited can collaborate and co-author with the project team, advance single-author publications, and will be embedded in a stimulating team environment.

The applications will be assessed jointly by FAU and the V-Dem Institute. The chosen postdoc will have access to FAU’s support structures for early career researchers, including the Emerg ing Talents Initiative, and also benefit from interdisciplinary human rights research conducted at FAU. A new, interdisciplinary postdoctoral programme for human rights-related research at FAU is currently in development. This will facilitate collaborative work, postdoctoral qualifica tions, and access to international peers and fellows. The postdoc will also have an opportunity to spend time with the V-Dem Institute at University of Gothenburg for research visits and thereby benefit from the internationally leading expertise of the team of scholars in Gothenburg.

Skills, knowledge, and experience 

• PhD awarded in relevant discipline, or equivalent experience;
• Demonstrated research interest in academic freedom, democratization, autocratization, human rights;
• Experience with large-n research and familiarity with the V-Dem dataset;
• Knowledge of and experience with an object-oriented programming language (R, Py thon) is an asset;
• Ability to work independently and in an interdisciplinary research team, contributing to the development of ideas, processes and outputs, as well as future funding applications, in line with deadlines;
• Strong publication record or potential to develop publication record;
• Willingness to participate in international conferences and other academic events;
• Ability to communicate effectively with non-technical audiences about technical topics;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English;
• German language skills are an asset.

Application

Submission of application documents (motivation letter, CV, transcripts, research proposal, writing sample) by email to Silvia Krönig (silvia.kroenig@fau.de). The application deadline is April, 30 2024. The postdoc is expected to start, ideally, in October 2024, but earlier/later starting dates are also an option. If you have substantive questions about the Academic Free dom Index, please contact Lars Lott (lars.lott@fau.de).