Research Group Leader in Political Communication (f/m/d)
(full-time, salary scale E 14 TV-L)
Reference Number 2021/014. The Cluster of Excellence “The Politics of Inequality” at the University of Konstanz is offering a position for an independent research group leader in the area of political communication, to begin no later than 1 October 2021 for a period of four years (last possible end date: 31 December 2025). The position includes an additional budget of up to 500,000 Euros for personnel and research expenses.
The University of Konstanz is one of eleven Universities of Excellence in Germany. Since 2007 it has been successful in the German Excellence Initiative and its follow-up programme, the Excellence Strategy.
The Cluster involves researchers from political science, sociology, economics, linguistics, psychology, law and education studies. They study how people perceive inequalities, how these perceptions lead to collective mobilization, and how political actors respond to them.
The Research Group Leader should make an important contribution to the research carried out at the Cluster in the area of political communication, for example regarding the framing of inequality in the public discourse, or the communication of inequality via social media. We are looking for candidates working with automated methods for text analysis who can strengthen our interdisciplinary cooperation with the Department of Linguistics.
Your responsibilities
- Develop and implement a research project that contributes to the Cluster’s research agenda in the area of political communication
- Establish your own research group and support early career researchers
- Establish collaborations with other researchers in the Cluster
- Produce high-quality and internationally visible research
Your profile
- Excellent PhD in political science or a related discipline
- Significant work experience at the postdoctoral level (typically 2-4 years)
- Track record of high-quality research publications that go beyond the PhD dissertation
- International orientation in research networks and output
- Ability and willingness to engage in interdisciplinary collaborations
We offer
- A research position without teaching obligation
- A professional infrastructure and an stimulating workplace for conducting research on inequality
- A generous research budget for personnel and other costs
- A vibrant international and interdisciplinary research environment and community
- The opportunity to benefit from the Clusters’ Methods Hub
Applicants should submit (1) a research proposal describing the planned project (max. 10 pages) and a proposed budget for personnel and other costs, (2) CV and list of publications, and (3) two reference letters. Further instructions (incl. budget templates, guidance with cost calculations, etc.) are provided on the Cluster website https://www.exc.uni-konstanz.de/en/inequality/about-us/jobs-and-grants/research-group-leader/
The closing date for applications is 1 March 2021, 6:00 p.m. CET. Applications must be submitted via our Online Application Portal.
Selected applicants will be invited to present their research proposal to the selection committee on 29 March 2021.
Interested candidates may contact the Cluster Co-Speaker Prof. Dr. Nils B. Weidmann, for further information.
In principle, the position is eligible for part-time employment. The University of Konstanz is committed to ensuring an environment that provides equal opportunities and promotes diversity as well as a good balance between university and family life. As an equal opportunity employer, we strive to increase the number of women working in research and teaching. We also support working couples through our dual career programme (https://www.uni-konstanz.de/en/equalopportunities/family/dual-career/). Persons with disabilities are explicitly encouraged to apply. They will be given preference if appropriately qualified (contact +49 7531 88–4016).