Researcher for AI-based Research Workflows (CSS-124)

Köln

Part-time

Temporary

GESIS – Leibniz-Institute for the Social Sciences is an internationally active research institute, funded by federal and state governments and member of the Leibniz Association.

Starting on October 1, 2026, our department Computational Social Science (CSS), Team Transparent Social Analytics, located in Cologne, is looking for a

Researcher for AI-based Research Workflows
(Salary group 13 TV-L, working time 50%, limited until 31.12.2028)

The department Computational Social Science (CSS) collects digital behavioral data and provides computer-based methods for collecting and analyzing such data for social science research. It also supports scientists with the integration of digital behavioral data into their research designs. The department's research focuses on the quality of digital behavioral data, the development and validation of computational social science methods and the transformation of digital societies.

In the project NFDI4DS - NFDI for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, we will develop services and best practices for AI-based research workflows. For this purpose, we will investigate the intersection between AI-based research Co-Pilots, cloud-based computing, as well as techniques to improve scholarly reproducibility to advance open science practices.

Your tasks will be:

Contribute to an interdisciplinary team that focuses on the establishment of a service infrastructure for innovative open science
Make AI-based tools and services accessible to an interdisciplinary audience
Conduct application-oriented research in the area of Computational Social Science

Your profile:

University degree (diploma/M.Sc.) in a field relevant to computational social science, for example, applied computer science, statistics, physics, political science, communication science, psychology, sociology, or related disciplines
Experience in the management of projects in the field of digital behavioral data
Knowledge in data analysis using R and/or Python, as well as ideally, experience in the use of AI Agents
Very good written and spoken German and English skills

Our Benefits:

An international and interdisciplinary working environment that will also support you in developing your own research profile
Flexible working hours and regulations for mobile working
Very good conditions for reconciling work and family life, e.g., subsidies for childcare for children who have not yet attained the age of compulsory schooling
Holistic company health management and discounted participation in the university's sports program in Cologne
Generous support for your pension provision as a direct insurance policy
Promotion of your skills through further training measures

Contact

For further information concerning the position and the CSS department, please contact Arnim Bleier via e-mail (arnim.bleier@gesis.org). If you have questions about the application process, please contact Franca Tosetti via e-mail (franca.tosetti@gesis.org).

Interested?

Please apply via our Online-application portal until 24.08.2026.

Our reference number is: CSS-124

About us

GESIS is one of the world's leading social science infrastructure facilities, supporting researchers at all levels of their research projects with expertise and infrastructure services. We help ensure that socially relevant questions can be answered based on reliable data, the latest scientific methods and research information. We help with study planning and data collection, provide high-quality research data, support with data preparation and analysis, and finally with data archiving.
GESIS helps you gain further qualifications. We offer our employees a wide range of career opportunities in an appealing work environment with a high degree of personal responsibility and creative freedom. With us, you will work in an international environment in the heart of Mannheim and Cologne and benefit from a flexible work environment as well as internal and external networks.
GESIS ensures compliance with the guidelines for the severely disabled and promotes professional equality between women and men.
Full-time positions can also be filled on a part-time basis.
As a family-friendly employer, we have been certified by the “berufundfamilie” audit since 2010.
Further information on working at GESIS can be found here.