Are you an early-career political scientist ready to tackle big questions about conflict and democracy? The Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science in Göttingen, Germany, offers a fully funded postdoctoral fellowship in political science for 2026. This three-year position focuses on political institutions and conflict, with a strong push for data-driven research.
Overview of the Fellowship
This full-time role sits in the institute’s new Department of Political Institutions and Conflict. It targets scholars who blend disciplines to study how institutions affect conflict and democracy. The work centers on issues like political violence, democratic changes, and fair elections, especially in the Global South. As part of the Max Planck Society, you join a top research network known for bold ideas and teamwork across borders.
Research Focus Areas
The department builds its projects around three key themes:
- Institutions and political violence
- Democratic politics in transformation
- Political economy of electoral integrity
You will use both numbers and stories to explore these. Methods include surveys, causal studies from observations, fieldwork, interviews, and data from records or events. This setup lets you dive deep into real-world problems.
Key Responsibilities
In this job, you will:
- Lead and team up on research that fits the department’s goals
- Write papers with other members
- Do fieldwork and interviews where needed
- Help hire and guide PhD students and juniors
- Handle tasks like workshops, data management, project reports, and sharing results widely
- Stay active in the group and live near Göttingen for daily work
These duties build your skills while supporting the team’s aims.
Required Qualifications
To qualify, you need:
- A PhD in political science by the start date
- Publications in top journals or clear promise to publish there
- Interest in the department’s themes
- Solid skills in quantitative work, such as panel regressions, big datasets, surveys, and tools like R or Stata
- Strong English for writing and speaking
- Sharp analysis, independence, and team spirit
- A focus on honest, open research
Desirable Qualifications
These extras can boost your application:
- Knowledge of causal inference
- Experience in places like West Africa or South Asia
- Languages like Hindi or Bengali for fieldwork
- Skills in event data handling
- Practice with fieldwork and interviews
Benefits of the Position
You get a three-year contract with a fair salary under Germany’s TVöD Bund scale (EG 13, based on your background). Enjoy top resources, global links, and no required teaching so you focus on research. You can teach if you want. Live and work in Göttingen with easy commutes.
Application Requirements
Send one PDF with:
- CV and publication list
- Two-page cover letter on your interests and fit
- Two-page research plan tied to the themes
- Three referees’ contacts
- One writing sample (article or similar), noting your role if co-authored
Only full PDFs count. No extras.
Important Dates
- Deadline: May 3, 2026
- Remote interviews: June 11-12, 2026
- Start: September 1, 2026 (or sooner by agreement)
Additional Information
Open to all nationalities. Women and people with disabilities get strong encouragement. You must live nearby and show up often. Apply via the institute’s site to join this chance for high-impact work in political science.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main focus of this postdoctoral fellowship?
The fellowship focuses on political institutions and conflict, including political violence, democratic changes, and electoral integrity, especially in the Global South using data-driven methods.
What qualifications do I need to apply?
You need a PhD in political science, publications or promise of them, strong quantitative skills like R or Stata, and good English. Experience in causal inference or fieldwork is a plus.
What benefits does the position offer?
It provides a three-year contract with a fair salary under Germany’s TVöD scale, top research resources, global networks, and no required teaching so you can focus on research.
How do I apply and what are the deadlines?
Submit one PDF with your CV, cover letter, research plan, referees, and writing sample via the institute’s site. The deadline is May 3, 2026, with interviews in June and start in September.
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