The Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) is recruiting one highly qualified postdoctoral researcher within the Kinship Inequalities Research Group. The position is offered for three years. This group, led by Diego Alburez-Gutierrez, studies how differences in kinship among persons and groups determine individual outcomes and shape social structures. It aims to bring together experts from areas like Demography, Sociology, Anthropology, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Biology, etc. to advance the subfield of kinship demography and address pressing scientific and societal questions.

The successful candidate must have a PhD (or receive it soon) and is expected to have a profile along one of the following lines:

1. A social scientist with expertise in at least one of the following areas:
   a. kinship structure and kin availability;
   b. family composition and demographic change;
   c. generational overlap and resource exchange;
   d. kin loss and bereavement;
   e. measuring and modelling kinship.
2. A social scientist with an interest in developing social theory, in particular related to family demography or family sociology.
3. A methodologist or computational scientist interested in advancing methods and data to study kinship dynamics.

Ability and willingness to work in interdisciplinary teams to conduct cutting-edge research that advances our understanding of population processes, is key.

Applications must be submitted online via https://survey.demogr.mpg.de/index.php/177444?lang=en, including the following documents:

1. Curriculum Vitae (Max 3 pages)
2. Letter of interest (Max 1 page)
   Briefly state why you are interested in joining the MPIDR, how the MPIDR could foster your professional development and career trajectory, and how your interests fit those of the Kinship Inequalities Research Group.   
3. Research Statement (Max 2 pages)
   Briefly describe your research accomplishments, as well as ongoing and future research plans. Note that we welcome projects studying both lower- and higher-income settings. Describe your technical skills, areas of expertise, as well as the type of advanced training that you would like to receive as a research scientist.
4. Names and contact information for 3 academic referees
5. Two writing samples or publications

In order to receive full consideration, applications should be submitted by Monday, May 15 2023. Interviews will be held in the first week of June. The starting date is flexible, but no later than November 2023. The successful applicant will be offered a 3-year contract with remuneration commensurate to experience (starting from approx. 57,241 EUR gross per year for researchers who have just completed their PhD, up to approx. 66,217 EUR gross per year for more senior scientists), based on the salary structure of the German public sector (Öffentlicher Dienst, TVöD Bund). They are expected to be in residence at the MPIDR.

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 and the MPIDR offer a broad range of measures to support the reconciliation of work and family. 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 has contracts with a private family service company that offers services such as arranging child care on short notice in various cities in Germany for parents who attend conferences, care services for children of school age up to 14 years, and support for those caring for family members and relatives. To help accompanying spouses and partners find appropriate work at their new location, the MPIDR works in close cooperation with Dual-Career Partners in regional networks.

We value diversity and are keen to employ individuals from minorities and under-represented groups, including individuals with disabilities. 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.

For inquiries about the position, please contact Diego Alburez-Gutierrez at alburezgutierrez@demogr.mpg.de.

The Max Planck Society is one of Europe's leading research organizations. In its research laboratories, workshops, libraries, and administration, scientists and researchers perform demanding tasks with a high degree of autonomy and creativity. The Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research carries out fundamental research on plants using a wide range of methods including molecular genetics, genomics, imaging, computational biology, and biochemistry.

The Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research seeks a

Scientific Coordinator (m/f/div) for PhD Program

The Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research (MPIPZ) together with the University of Cologne and Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf organizes a structured PhD program as part of the International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) on “Understanding complex plant traits using computational and evolutionary approaches”.

Project description

We seek a scientist with an interest in science management to act as a coordinator of the IMPRS and the MPIPZ Graduate School. The coordinator will be responsible for developing links with other graduate schools in the region including those of the Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS) and the University of Cologne. The successful applicant will be responsible for the international recruitment and selection of students, organization and coordination of teaching courses, organizing scientific symposia, as well as creating an inspiring working environment for students. There will be a part time secretarial assistance helping with administrative items.

Our requirements

Candidates should have excellent organizational skills and training in molecular biology, biochemistry, evolutionary biology, computational biology, or a related discipline and interest in interdisciplinary research, and training of young researchers. Expertise in molecular plant sciences is desirable but not essential. We expect excellent communication and writing skills in English. The ability to communicate in German is a strong asset. The successful candidate will also have excellent interpersonal skills and will be required to routinely interact with students, researchers, and administrators at all levels both inside and outside the institute. Good IT skills are also desirable.

The position is available immediately. Payment and benefits are according to E 13 TVöD. The position will initially be limited to three years with the possibility of renewal.

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. The Max Planck Society strives for gender equality and diversity. We welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Little Pumpkins is the child care facility at the MPIPZ providing daycare for children up until three years of age.

It is possible to buy an attractively priced VRS bulk customer ticket and to apply for a subsidy from the MPI.

Your application

Please send your detailed application as a single PDF file to the address below by 30th January 2023 including a curriculum vitae and a cover letter describing your motivation for applying for this position.

Have we raised your interest? Please submit your application through the online system. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

If you would like to work in a dedicated team, please convince us now by sending us your complete application documents together with your earliest possible date of joining the institute.

Website: www.mpipz.mpg.de