Director for the study of democracy

Organisation/Company Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung Research Field Political sciences » Science and society Researcher Profile Leading Researcher (R4) Positions Other Positions Country Germany Application Deadline 21 Sep 2025 – 23:59 (Europe/Berlin) Type of Contract Permanent Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 19 Jun 2025 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung (WZB Berlin Social Science Center) is Germany’s leading non-university research institute for fundamental social science research, with a focus on problems and challenges faced by modern societies in a globalized world. It is publicly funded and a member of the Leibniz Association. WZB researchers come from across the globe and work across social science disciplines including sociology, political science, economics, and law. 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 WZB’s research is directed at the science community, policy makers, the media and the general public. 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 full-time position of
Director for the study of democracy
at the earliest possible date.

We aim to appoint a world-class scholar in political science or related disciplines who will establish and lead a team to implement an ambitious research agenda focused on theory-driven empirical research on democracy. Substantive areas of focus might include the functioning of democratic institutions, internal and external threats facing democracies, and processes of democratization and democratic backsliding.

Research Field Political sciences » Science and society Education Level PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Applicants should be well-established within the international academic community, have a distinguished record of excellence, as evidenced by outstanding international publications and other scholarly activities, and should have a proven track record in the supervision of doctoral theses and career development of young researchers. They should be interested in communicating their research findings to the general public.
The new 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 Joint Professorship (W3) at a university. To this end, applicants must meet the qualifications for appointment as a university professor according to German academic standards or equivalent international standards. In general, the number of teaching hours would be 2 hours per week.

Research Field Political sciences

Additional Information

Eligibility criteria

We value diversity and welcome all applications – irrespective of gender, nationality, ethnic or social origin, religion, disability, age, or sexual orientation. WZB expressly encourages women or persons with migration backgrounds to apply. Equally qualified applicants with disabilities will be given preference. German language skills are not required.

Selection process

Applications must be submitted by 21 September 2025 via our online application tool including the following items: 1) a cover letter, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) list of publications, 4) a brief statement on current and planned research, and 5) the contact information for three references.
The invitations to job interviews are expected to be sent out in November, 2025. Job interviews will likely take place on December 10-12, 2025. All interviews will take place at the WZB in Berlin, Germany.
If you have any questions regarding the job opening, please contact the president of the WZB, Prof. Dr. h.c. Nicola Fuchs-Schündeln, Ph.D.

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