The Max Planck Institute for the Study of Religious and Ethnic Diversity (Department for Socio-Cultural Diversity) wishes to appoint a highly qualified candidate for a new postdoctoral research position for three years. Applicants should have a degree in anthropology, sociology, political science, geography or another relevant social science. Experience working with asylum-seekers will be an advantage.
Researching in Göttingen (or another to-be-arranged German city), the postdoctoral researcher will qualitatively examine asylum-seekers’ differential access to resources, services, information and advice (particularly concerning their legal status, conditions and restrictions), as well as their understandings of these. Accordingly, the researcher will also investigate asylum-seekers’ ability to conduct some form of individual independence, engage in family life, access jobs, education, training and housing, as well as degrees of mobility within the parameters set out by respective legal statuses.
Very good spoken and written German and English is required. [The working language of the Institute is English, and publications in English-language academic journals and books are prioritized.] An additional language, relevant to contemporary asylum-seekers in Germany, will also be an advantage. Salary is based on the German public service scale TVöD (level E 13).
Applications should include: a cover letter describing the applicant’s career trajectory, research experience and interests, CV, a list of publications, publication (or PhD thesis) samples and the names and contact details of two potential referees. Deadline for all applications is 17.00 pm Friday 26 May 2017. The position will commence as soon as possible, and no later than September 30th 2017. Please send applications and any queries to the Director’s Secretary, Jutta Esser (
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The Max Planck Society is mainly funded by German Federal and State Governments (see www.mpg.de). Max Planck Institutes provide outstanding facilities, academic resources and intellectual environments for the support of independent research. Max Planck Institutes are not tied to universities. There are no teaching obligations for staff, but teaching and other forms of co-operation with universities is possible.
The Max Planck Society wishes to increase the participation of women wherever they are underrepresented; therefore, applications from women are particularly welcome. Following its commitment to an equal opportunities employment policy, the Max Planck Society also especially encourages persons with a disability to submit their applications.
For further details about the institute and its research consult the website (www.mmg.mpg.de).