The Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung (WZB Berlin Social Science Center) is one of Germany’s leading non-university research institutions for problem-centered, fundamental social science research. It is publicly funded and a member of the Leibniz Association. The WZB supports research with a focus on the development, problems, and opportunities for innovation in a globalizing world. Research at the WZB is both theory-driven and practice-oriented. It is characterized by long-term projects based on multidisciplinary cooperation, international comparison, and transnational perspectives. The current research areas at the WZB are: Dynamics of Social Inequalities; Markets and Choice; Digitalization and Societal Transformation; International Politics and Law; Dynamics of Political Systems; Migration and Diversity; and Political Economy of Development.

The WZB seeks to establish a new research department and to fill the position of
Director (f/m/x)
in the field of democracy research
at the earliest possible date.  

The goal of this call is to appoint a world class scholar in the social sciences. Applicants must have a distinguished record of research excellence, as evidenced by outstanding international publications and other scholarly activities. They must also have an interest in developing an ambitious social science research agenda and setting up and leading a research team. Potential candidates will be expected to demonstrate a proven track record in the supervision of doctoral theses and career development of young researchers. He/she should be well established within the international academic community and willing to speak publicly to issues of democracy in Germany and Europe.

The new department should address fundamental questions in the field of democracy research, broadly interpreted. With its theory-driven empirical orientation, the research department should be able to cooperate with others in the WZB’s environment of interdisciplinary social science research. Applicants are expected to present their vision for a long-term social science research agenda in relation to other research units at the WZB.

Ideally, the successful applicant will be appointed to a Special Professorship (W3) at a university. To this end, the successful applicant must meet the qualifications for appointment as a university professor. In general, the number of teaching hours will be 2 hours per week.

See above.

For further details about the WZB, please visit our website at: www.wzb.eu.