Postdoctoral Researcher in geospatial political data (SDC-32)

Köln

Full-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 January 1, 2027 our Department Survey Data Curation, Team Survey Data Augmentation, located in Cologne, is looking for a

Postdoctoral Researcher in geospatial political data
(Salary group 13 TV-L, working time 100 %, initially limited to 4 years)

The department „Survey Data Curation“ processes and prepares social science research data across a diverse range of data types to support sociological and political science research, especially in comparative perspectives across space and time. The curated data include long-running national (e.g., ALLBUS, GLES) and international (e.g., ISSP, CSES) survey programs, which are documented and curated to the highest quality standards, but also research data products derived from or connected to these surveys, such as geo referencing services or trend files. “Monitoring Electoral Democracy” (MEDem) is an emerging European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) that will enable more comprehensive and innovative comparative democracy research by linking data sources, encouraging standards, and developing tools for data collection and analysis (www.medem.eu). Our team Survey Data Augmentation hosts the MEDem Service Center Linkage.

Your tasks will be:

Developing linking tools for geo-coded data to advance democracy research
Coordinating with other MEDem Service Centers on dealing with geo-coded information
Contributing to the general conceptual, organizational, and technical development of MEDem
Collaborating within the team “Survey Data Augmentation”; includes regular presence at the office
Writing related grant proposals

Your profile:

Completed master’s degree and a PhD in political science using empirical methods with a focus on subnational dynamics
Advanced skills in coding, managing, linking, and analyzing geospatial data at point, polygon, and raster level, preferably with R, with a specific focus on surveys, earth observation data, and digital trace data
A proven track record in social science research leveraging subnational variation in combination with survey data, preferably in the realm of democracy and/or climate politics
Experience in developing international research data infrastructure
Excellent English and German language skills

Our Benefits:

Opportunity to contribute to a research data infrastructure with substantial impact on the future of democracy research
Work in an integrated yet flexible team of quantitative social scientists with substantial synergies between survey augmentation projects specializing in geospatial data applications and democracy
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 programme
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 tasks please contact Stefan Jünger via E-Mail (stefan.juenger@gesis.org). If you have questions about the application process, please contact Franca Tosetti via E-Mail Mail (franca.tosetti@gesis.org).

Interested?

Please apply via our online-application portal until August 24, 2026.
Our reference number is: SDC-32

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.