2654392 GESIS – Leibniz-Institut für Sozialwissenschaften e.V. Köln Knowledge Technologies for the Social Sciences Köln - Online & persönl. Interview Doctoral Researcher in AI System Evaluation with a focus on Benchmarking (KTS-82) 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 01 October 2026 our Department Knowledge Technologies for the Social Sciences (KTS), Team Human Information Interaction located in Cologne is looking for a

Doctoral Researcher in AI System Evaluation with a focus on Benchmarking(Salary group 13 TV-L, working time 100%, limited till 31 December 2028, with the option to extend)

The department Knowledge Technologies for Social Sciences (KTS) conducts research at the intersection of information retrieval, natural language processing, semantic technologies and human information interaction as foundation for innovative web portals and platforms for the search and use of research data.

AI is transforming the scientific process across disciplines. In the NFDI4DS and BERD projects, we develop infrastructures that empower researchers to responsibly adopt AI methods—for example, by establishing fair benchmarking protocols, ensuring transparent evaluation and documentation of AI models and LLMs, and curating a repository of open, reusable AI-based methods, along with related training materials and events. In this context, we are seeking a motivated researcher to support these activities by conducting cutting-edge research.

]]> Your tasks will be:

Design, implement and evaluate infrastructure for the responsible use of AI in research, including benchmarking protocols, transparent evaluation and documentation of AI/LLM models

Train and evaluate AI models / LLMs for research (“research co-pilots"), e.g. within the GESIS Search environment

Conduct research in the areas mentioned above

Dissemination of project results through publications and workshops

]]> Your profile:

Very good university degree (master's/diploma or equivalent) in computer science, data science, or a related field
Experience in AI benchmarking, including metrics, reproducible assessment pipelines, and systematic performance analysis
Very good experience in software development with Python, AI-tooling, and NLP technologies
Very good knowledge of English, good verbal and written communication skills in German desirable

]]> Our Benefits:

Flexible working hours and regulations for mobile working
Opportunity to pursue a PhD at Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, supervised by Prof. Dr. Stefan Dietze
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 contact person via phone +49 (221) 47694-536 or via E-Mail (Dagmar.Kern@gesis.org). If you have questions about the application process, please contact Christine Laßmann (Christine.Lassmann@gesis.org) via E-Mail.]]> Interested? Please apply via our Online-application portal until 29 June 2026.
Our reference number is: KTS-82]]> temporary experienced full-time general_and_other_r_and_d_and_science r_and_d_and_science 2026-06-02T09:41:57+00:00 2490957 Guest Researcher e.V. Mannheim Köln Knowledge Exchange and Outreach Köln - Online-Interview Junior Research Call GESIS is pleased to receive applications for research visits at both of its locations, Mannheim and Cologne. Individual researchers who would like to conduct research and work with us may apply for funding at GESIS. The research stay can be planned for any period between five working days and six weeks.
Successful applicants will receive the reimbursement of travel and accommodation expenses, as well as a daily allowance according to the “Landesreisekostengesetz Baden-Württemberg.”
Important precondition: Interested candidates are asked to first identify and contact the GESIS staff member(s) personally they would like to work with and prepare (ideally together) a short research proposal (max 2 pages) for the stay. The proposal should be coordinated with your GESIS cooperation partner in advance.

Your application
Welcome to the online application form for our Junior Research Program. The form consists of several questions concerning your research, work, and stay at GESIS. Please answer all of them thoroughly. In addition, please have the following documents ready before upload:

Cover letter (including details of when you would like to conduct your research visit and who you would like to collaborate with at GESIS)
Curriculum Vitae (including the details of two references: name, affiliated institution, address, telephone, and email)
Research Proposal: This should include your research question, your hypotheses, the data, and the methods of analysis you intend to use; max. two A4 pages, including the list of references.

Please do NOT upload any additional certificates or other documents.

Before uploading your documents, please carefully check the eligibility criteria for the Junior Research Program. Should you have questions concerning these criteria, please do not hesitate to send us an email via guest-researcher@gesis.org.

The Junior Research Program is highly competitive.
IT IS ESSENTIAL that applicants identify and contact at least one preferred GESIS cooperation partner prior to their application. The proposal should be coordinated with your cooperation partner(s) in advance.

You will receive an email confirming your submission. In case you do not receive a confirmation email or have problems with the online application form, please do not hesitate to contact the Guest Researcher Coordination Team at guest-researcher@gesis.org.

We look forward to receiving your application!]]> temporary experienced full-time other other 2026-01-14T15:02:44+00:00 2491001 Guest Researcher e.V. Mannheim Köln Knowledge Exchange and Outreach Guest Researcher KODAQS Data Quality Call

You want to set a special data quality focus in your research project?

You are a social scientist focusing on survey data, digital behavior data, or linkages between these two data types or with other data (e.g., geodata)?

The Competence Center for Data Quality in the Social Sciences (KODAQS) invites applications for guest researchers to actively participate in our mission of advancing data quality in social science research. During your stay you work closely with KODAQS employees at GESIS, the University of Mannheim and the LMU Munich on your research questions, ensuring a comprehensive examination with a focus on data quality.
The research stay at KODAQS can be planned for any period between five working days and six weeks.
Successful applicants will receive the reimbursement of travel and accommodation expenses, as well as a daily allowance according to the “Landesreisekostengesetz Baden-Württemberg.”
Important precondition: Interested candidates are asked to first contact the KODAQS staff members they would like to work with and prepare (ideally together) a short research proposal (max 2 pages) for the stay. The proposal should be coordinated in advance with your KODAQS cooperation partner.

Your application
Welcome to the online application form for the KODAQS Data Quality Call. The form consists of several questions concerning your research, work, and stay at GESIS. Please answer all of them thoroughly. In addition, please have the following documents ready before upload:

Cover letter (including details of when you would like to conduct your research visit and who you would like to collaborate with at GESIS)
Curriculum Vitae (including the details of two references: name, affiliated institution, address, telephone, and email)
Research Proposal: This should include your research question, your hypotheses, the data, and the methods of analysis you intend to use; max. two A4 pages, including the list of references.

Please do NOT upload any additional certificates or other documents.

Before uploading your documents, please carefully check the eligibility criteria for the KODAQS Data Quality Call. Should you have questions concerning these criteria, please do not hesitate to send us an email via kodaqs@gesis.org.

The KODAQS Data Quality Call is highly competitive.
IT IS ESSENTIAL that applicants identify and contact at least one preferred KODAQS cooperation partner prior to their application. The proposal should be coordinated with your cooperation partner(s) in advance.

You will receive an email confirming your submission. In case you do not receive a confirmation email or have problems with the online application form, please do not hesitate to contact the KODAQS Team at kodaqs@gesis.org.

We look forward to receiving your application!]]> temporary entry-level full-time other other 2026-01-14T15:13:27+00:00 2639403 GESIS – Leibniz-Institut für Sozialwissenschaften e.V. Köln Survey Data Curation Köln - Online & persönl. Interview Post Doctoral Researcher (SDC-28) 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 1.10.2026 our Department Survey Data Curation, Team Survey Data Augmentation located in Cologne, is looking for a

Post Doctoral Researcher
(Salary group 13 TV-L, working time 80 %, until 30.9.2029)

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.

The position is for the Horizon-funded project “Enhancing Democratic Support under Conditions of Geographic and Intersectional Inequalities in Europe” (EDGE). The project is co-led by Prof Alexia Katsanidou, GESIS – Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences and Prof Sofia Vasilopoulou, King’s College London. The EDGE project addresses a central challenge for the future of democracy: how are economic inequalities - both objective and subjective - related to European citizens’ democratic support? It aims: first, to advance knowledge on the mechanisms through which different types of inequality undermine or, under certain conditions, reinforce democratic support; and second, to causally assess policy interventions to identify efficient solutions that strengthen democracy across diverse territorial and social contexts. The project integrates geographic and intersectional perspectives to show how personal experiences, social identities, and territorial contexts interact with media and digital networks in shaping perceptions of inequality and democratic support.

The successful applicant will have an excellent academic track record, a strong knowledge of research methods, and ideally have expertise in surveys and/or social data science. They will be expected to work with the design, collection and analysis of new survey data and survey experiments, including a webtracking component, create innovative measures of objective inequalities using satellite and economic data, co-author research outputs from the project, and organize events to disseminate the project’s findings.

]]> Your tasks will be:

Designing measures of inequalities based on fine-grained economic data

Supporting the design and and implementation of a survey with a web-tracking component

Co-authoring research outputs from the project

Contributing to and supporting project-related organizational and communication tasks

]]> Your profile:

PhD in Social Sciences with a focus on Political Science, Economics, Geography and/or Political Economy (completed or near completion)

Demonstrated capacity for producing excellent published research in leading academic journals and presses

Solid expertise in research methods, including experience with coding and data management in common statistical programme languages (e.g. STATA, R, and/or Python)

A good grasp of relevant academic literature on economic inequalities and/or democratic support

Ability to operate in small, highly collaborative teams, including regular coordination and communication with partners across multiple European countries

]]> Our Benefits:

The SDC department offers a welcoming work environment with excellent opportunities for intellectual growth and mentoring

The EDGE project offers funding for workshops, conferences, and opportunities for developing a strong academic network

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 Prof. Dr. Alexia Katsanidou via E-Mail (alexia.katsanidou@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 17^th June 2026.
Our reference number is: SDC-28]]> temporary experienced part-time general_and_other_r_and_d_and_science r_and_d_and_science 2026-05-19T15:30:17+00:00 2649886 GESIS – Leibniz-Institut für Sozialwissenschaften e.V. Köln Knowledge Technologies for the Social Sciences Köln - Online & persönl. Interview Postdoc in NLP and Research Knowledge Graphs (KTS-80) 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 1. October 2026 our Department Knowledge Technologies for the Social Sciences (KTS), Team Information and Data Retrieval located in Cologne is looking for a

Postdoc in NLP and Research Knowledge Graphs
(Salary group 13 TV-L, working time 100%, limited till 31.12.2028, subject to approval)

The department Knowledge Technologies for Social Sciences (KTS) conducts research at the intersection of information retrieval, natural language processing, semantic technologies and human information interaction as foundation for innovative web portals and platforms for the search and use of research data.

AI is transforming the scientific process across disciplines. In the NFDI4DS project, we develop infrastructures that empower researchers to responsibly adopt AI methods—for example, by establishing fair benchmarking protocols, ensuring transparent evaluation and documentation of AI models and LLMs, and curating a repository of open, reusable AI-based methods, along with related training materials and events. In this context, we are seeking a motivated researcher to coordinate and lead these activities.

]]> Your tasks will be:

Lead dedicated work packages and a team of researchers within the NFDI4DS project including coordination with project partners and supervision of PhD students

Research scholarly information extraction and develop methods for building Research Knowledge Graphs (e.g., GESIS KG)

Develop, integrate, and evaluate services, models, and systems using established benchmarks

Advance the NFDI4DS Academy through community engagement, content acquisition (methods, tutorials, training material) and integration with third party infrastructures

Exchange with scientific and user communities and dissemination of project results through publications and workshops at national and international level

]]> Your profile:

Master's degree and completed a PhD in computer science, data science, or a related field

Experience in project management

Proven experience in NLP research and knowledge graphs, specifically in the context of scholarly information extraction

Very good experience in software development with Python, AI-tooling, NLP technologies and database technologies

Very good verbal and written communication skills in English; good knowledge of German desirable

]]> Our Benefits:

A growing, international work environment with access to unique datasets

Excellent career opportunities in software development and data engineering

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 Philipp Mayr via phone +49 221 47694 533 or via E-Mail (philipp.mayr@gesis.org). If you have questions about the application process, please contact Christine Laßmann via E-Mail (Christine.Lassmann@gesis.org).]]> Interested? Please apply via our Online-application portal until June 17th, 2026.
Our reference number is: KTS-80]]> temporary experienced full-time general_and_other_r_and_d_and_science r_and_d_and_science 2026-05-28T10:18:14+00:00 2650396 GESIS – Leibniz-Institut für Sozialwissenschaften e.V. Köln Knowledge Technologies for the Social Sciences Köln - Online & persönl. Interview Researcher in Knowledge Graphs (KTS-81) 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 1. October 2026 our Department Knowledge Technologies for the Social Sciences (KTS), Team Information Extraction & Linking located in Cologne is looking for a

Researcher in Knowledge Graphs
(Salary group 13 TV-L, working time 75%, limited for 2 years, subject to approval)

In the KGI4NFDI basic service, we aim to support the creation, discovery, connection, and use of knowledge graphs within the NFDI ecosystem, EOSC, and beyond. This service addresses the increasing demand for knowledge graph deployment, a central knowledge graph hub, interoperability, and community engagement. In this context, we are seeking a motivated researcher to work on the software development of research infrastructures.

]]> Your tasks will be:

Design, implement and evaluate an infrastructure for a knowledge graph registration service, including software testing and quality assurance workflows

Evaluate web-based interfaces for querying knowledge graphs based on open Large Language Models to increase accessibility

Support stakeholders in the construction and publication of knowledge graphs

Dissemination of project results through publications and workshops

]]> Your profile:

Very good university degree (master's/diploma or equivalent) in computer science, data science, or a related field

Proven experience in semantic web, knowledge graphs, RDF, and metadata standards

Very good experience in designing and implementing web-based APIs, software development with Python, triple store and search engine technologies, software testing and quality assurance

Very good knowledge of English, good verbal and written communication skills in German desirable

]]> Our Benefits:

A growing, international work environment with access to unique datasets

Excellent career opportunities in software development and data engineering

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 Dr. Benjamin Zapilko via phone +49 221 47694 515 or via E-Mail (Benjamin.Zapilko@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 17.06.2026.
Our reference number is: KTS-81]]> temporary experienced part-time general_and_other_r_and_d_and_science r_and_d_and_science 2026-05-28T15:51:00+00:00 2665894 Interne Ausschreibungen e.V. Köln Computational Social Science Köln - Online & persönl. Interview Researcher in Online Platform Research and Community Engagement (CSS-122-intern) 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 July 1^st 2027, our Department Computational Social Science (CSS), Team Designed Digital Data located in Cologne, is looking for a

Researcher in Online Platform Research and Community Engagement
(Salary group 13 TV-L, working time 100 %, limited until December 31 2027)

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. The position contributes to the development of the Research Infrastructure for Data from Large Online Platforms (RIDLOP).

]]> Your tasks will be:

Conceptual, methodological, and technical preparatory work for RIDLOP’s three data acquisition routesInternal project coordination and liaison with external service providers

Organization of scientific conferences and community engagement

Research in the areas of digital behavioral data and computational social science

Presentation of research results and RIDLOP more generally in relevant scientific communities

]]> Your profile:

University degree at Master’s level, diploma, or equivalent qualification in a discipline relevant for computational social science (e.g., computer science, political science, communication science, sociology, psychology)Peer-reviewed, internationally visible publications in the field of computational social science

Expertise in the collection and analysis of digital behavioral data

Experience coordinating scientific projects in the field of computational social science

Very good command of written and spoken English and German

]]> Our Benefits:

An international and interdisciplinary working environment that will also support you in developing your 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 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 Sebastian Stier (Sebastian.Stier@gesis.org) via E-Mail. If you have questions about the application process, please contact Christine Laßmann via E-mail (Christine.Lassmann@gesis.org). ]]> Interested? Please apply via our Online-application portal until 17 June 2026.
Our reference number is: CSS-122-intern]]> temporary entry-level full-time general_and_other_r_and_d_and_science r_and_d_and_science 2026-06-10T14:13:16+00:00 2665798 Interne Ausschreibungen e.V. Köln Computational Social Science Köln - Online & persönl. Interview Researcher in the Field of Data Donations (CSS-120-intern) 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 July 1^st 2027, our Department Computational Social Science (CSS), Team Designed Digital Data located in Cologne, is looking for a

Researcher in the Field of Data Donations
(Salary group 13 TV-L, working time 100 %, limited until December 31 2027)

]]> Your tasks will be:

Conceptual, methodological, and technical development of infrastructures and processes for collecting data donationsConducting pilot studies for the integrated collection of data donations and surveys

Documentation and creation of data products

Research in the areas of digital behavioral data and computational social science

Presentation of research results and RIDLOP more generally in relevant scientific communities

]]> Your profile:

Expertise in the collection, use and quality assessment of digital behavioral data

Expertise in user-centered collections of digital behavioral data in combination with surveys (e.g., data donations, web tracking)

Very good command of written and spoken English and German

]]> Our Benefits:

An international and interdisciplinary working environment that will also support you in developing your 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 programme

Generous support for your pension provision as a direct insurance policy

Promotion of your skills through further training measures

]]> Interested? Please apply via our Online-application portal until 17 June 2026.
Our reference number is: CSS-120-intern]]> temporary entry-level full-time general_and_other_r_and_d_and_science r_and_d_and_science 2026-06-10T13:43:05+00:00 2665855 Interne Ausschreibungen e.V. Köln Computational Social Science Köln - Online & persönl. Interview Researcher in the Field of Online Platform Data (CSS-121-intern) 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 July 1^st 2027, our Department Computational Social Science (CSS), Team Digital Society Observatory located in Cologne, is looking for a

Researcher in the field of Online Platform Data
(Salary group 13 TV-L, working time 100 %, limited until December 31^st 2026)

]]> Your tasks will be:

Conceptual, methodological, and technical preparatory work for RIDLOP’s three data acquisition routesTranslation of data acquisition requirements into processes and technical operationalizations

Coordination with community partners and external service providers

Research in the areas of digital behavioral data and computational social science

Presentation of research results and RIDLOP more generally in relevant scientific communities

]]> Your profile:

Expertise in the collection and analysis of digital behavioral data

Experience with open science, data documentation and data quality assessments

Very good command of written and spoken English and German

]]> Our Benefits:

An international and interdisciplinary working environment that will also support you in developing your 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 programme

Generous support for your pension provision as a direct insurance policy

Promotion of your skills through further training measures

]]> Interested? Please apply via our Online-application portal until 17 June 2026.
Our reference number is: CSS-121-intern]]> temporary entry-level full-time general_and_other_r_and_d_and_science r_and_d_and_science 2026-06-10T14:01:17+00:00 2395128 GESIS – Leibniz-Institut für Sozialwissenschaften e.V. Köln Data and Research on Society Köln - Online-Interview Senior Researcher Quantitative Sozialforschung, Geschlechterforschung (DRS-54) temporary experienced full-time general_and_other_r_and_d_and_science r_and_d_and_science 2025-10-20T13:01:21+00:00 2626362 GESIS – Leibniz-Institut für Sozialwissenschaften e.V. Mannheim Data and Research on Society Mannheim - studentische Hilfskraft Studentische Hilfskraft, Team National Election Studies (SHK_DRS_2026_012) working_student student part-time other other 2026-05-06T16:51:36+00:00 2657640 GESIS – Leibniz-Institut für Sozialwissenschaften e.V. Mannheim Verwaltung Mannheim - studentische Hilfskraft Studentische Hilfskraft, Team Zentrale (SHK_ADM_2026_013) working_student student part-time other other 2026-06-03T16:00:05+00:00 1896153 GESIS – Leibniz-Institut für Sozialwissenschaften e.V. Mannheim Köln Initiativbewerbung Initiativ Unsolicited application Please indicate in the form which department you are interested in and tell us in your covering letter which job you would like to do with us. We will check your documents and, after consulting with you, add you to an advertisement or include you in our talent pool. We will then come back to your application when a suitable position is advertised.

We look forward to receiving your unsolicited application!

Please send applications for a mandatory internship for our Cologne location directly to the relevant department. For a mandatory internship in Mannheim, please send your unsolicited application to michaela.kurtov@gesis.org.]]> permanent entry-level full-or-part-time other other 2025-01-07T11:43:43+00:00