The Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) is seeking to recruit a tenure-track research group leader (W2, equivalent to Associate Professor) in Labor Demography to join the Department of Social Demography. 

The Department of Social Demography focuses on understanding how social, political, and biological processes jointly produce the modern demographic landscape; it charts possible demographic futures and their consequences; and explores the feasibility of adaptation for the future scenarios that are challenging in terms of economic, social, and other dimensions of sustainability. 

The Department of Social Demography is now recruiting a tenure-track research group leader (W2, equivalent to Associate Professor). We are particularly interested in candidates who study the population-level dynamics of how demographic change, the labor market, and economic and social factors interact in shaping the workforce of today and of the future. Within this broad umbrella, the successful candidate is expected to have an innovative and independent research agenda that advances the field of labor demography. A research agenda going beyond labor demography to other areas of demography is welcome but not required. 

Candidates are expected to have:

1. A PhD in demography, statistics, economics, sociology, social policy, or a related quantitative social science field;
2. A record of innovation in labor demography, exemplified by publications in key journals of the discipline, including advances both in substantive and methodological research questions; 
3. An ambitious and innovative research program in labor demography.

Experience in managing research teams and mentoring and training doctoral students, a track record in securing external funding, and teaching experience will strengthen the application. Additionally, active engagement in public outreach and a willingness to take on organizational and administrative responsibilities within the Institute is desirable. 

Appointment will be full-time for an initial duration of 6 years, with the possibility of tenure. Tenure decisions will be dependent on a positive evaluation and approval by the Max Planck Society’s section’s committee on W2 positions. 

We offer a dynamic, interdisciplinary research environment, a competitive salary, moderate teaching load at post-graduate level, and an annual research budget of 100,000€.

Please apply online via this survey and include in a single PDF file:

1. Letter of interest (max. 2 pages)
2. Curriculum Vitae (max. 3 pages, focusing on your most relevant achievements)
3. Research statement (max. 5 pages)
4. Two publications 
5. Contact information for 3 academic referees

In order to receive full consideration, please apply by 12 December 2024.  

For inquiries about the position, please contact Kathrin McCann, Chief Research Coordinator at the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research at mccann@demogr.mpg.de. 

The MPIDR is one of the leading demographic research centers in the world. It is part of the Max Planck Society, a network of over 80 institutes that form Germany’s premier basic-research organization. Max Planck Institutes have an established record of world-class, foundational research in the sciences, technology, social sciences and the humanities. They offer a unique environment that combines the best aspects of an academic setting and a research laboratory.

The MPIDR is an equal opportunities employer. Our work atmosphere includes respectful treatment of each other, with gender, nationality, religion, disability, age, cultural origin, and sexual identity playing no role. We aim to have an institutional culture that enables everyone to develop their individual skills and competencies. 

The Max Planck Society offers a broad range of measures to support the reconciliation of work and family. These are complemented by the MPIDR’s own initiatives. The Society has been awarded the certificate “Work and Family” which is granted to institutions committed to establishing a family-friendly corporate culture by binding target agreements. The MPIDR collaborates with a network of local day-care centers that provides childcare places for the children of Institute staff. The Max Planck Society pays for additional costs due to childcare needs of parents who attend conferences. The MPIDR also practices flexible working-time models, which include at least one home office day per week, and scheduling meetings only within core working hours. For more information, see: https://www.demogr.mpg.de/go/work-family

We value diversity and are keen to employ individuals from minorities and under-represented groups. The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. Furthermore, the Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply. There are a range of central initiatives and measures primarily geared towards helping young female researchers and mothers to advance their career. See the link below for some examples: https://www.demogr.mpg.de/go/career-development.