Doctoral Candidate / Scientific Researcher

Friedrich Schiller University Jena; Jena; On-site; EUR 31,000 - 40,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working hours

Teleworking (if applicable)

30 days vacation per year

Job summary

Friedrich Schiller University Jena invites applications for a Doctoral Candidate / Scientific Researcher, starting 1 April 2027. The 75% part-time role (30 hours per week) is fixed-term for 36 months and based at the Institute of Communication Science within the DFG-funded project.

Responsibilities include designing cross-national survey experiments, presenting results at conferences, publishing in English-language journals, and potential doctoral studies within the project, with close teamwork

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Communication Science or related field.
• Very good knowledge of statistics and the programming language R.
• Excellent written and spoken English skills.
• Experience in survey and/or experimental methods.
• Knowledge of socio-political context of project countries is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Design and implementation of cross-national survey experiments on the reception of strategic narratives.
• Presenting study results at national and international conferences.
• Publishing research findings primarily in English-language international peer-reviewed journals.
• Opportunity for further academic qualification (doctoral studies) within the project.
• Close cooperation and exchange within the project team.

Skills

Statistics

English language skills

Survey methods

R programming

Public speaking

Education

Master's degree in Communication Science or related field

Tools

R

Python

Job description

Job advertisement

Vacancy ID: 279/2026

Closing date: 2026-10-31

The Friedrich Schiller University Jena is a dynamic and innovation-driven university centrally located in Germany. With a broad range of disciplines, it shapes the future through excellent research and teaching. Its scientific excellence is reflected in the profile areas Light – Life – Liberty, which provide pioneering insights and sustainable solutions for the society of tomorrow. Through close collaborations with leading research institutions, innovative companies, and renowned cultural organizations, it advances interdisciplinary developments. With around 17,000 students and approximately 10,000 employees, it defines Jena as a vibrant, internationally connected city of science and innovation.

The Institute of Communication Science seeks to fill the position of a

Doctoral Candidate / Scientific Researcher

commencing on 1 April 2027.

We offer a part-time position (75 %, 30 hours per week), offered as a fixed-term position for the duration of the project (36 months).

The position is based at the Institute of Communication Science, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, within the DFG-funded research project

'Strategic Narratives in the Age of Transnational Influence Campaigns,'

which examines how foreign actors adapt strategic narratives across different information environments, how these narratives are amplified by domestic actors, and how audiences ultimately respond to them.

Your responsibilities:

• Design and implementation of cross-national survey experiments on the reception of strategic narratives
• Presenting study results at national and international conferences
• Publishing research findings primarily in English-language international peer-reviewed journals
• Opportunity for further academic qualification (doctoral studies) within the framework of the project
• Close cooperation and exchange within the project team

Your profile:

• University degree (Master's or equivalent) in Communication Science or a related field
• Very good knowledge of statistics and the programming language R
• Excellent written and spoken English skills
• Experience in survey and/or experimental methods
• Knowledge of the socio-political and historical context of at least one of the project countries (e.g., Russia, Poland, Hungary, Serbia, Estonia, or France) is desirable.
• Practical experience in science communication or public relations, as well as programming skills (e.g. Python) would be an advantage

We offer:

• Remuneration based on the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector of the Federal States (TV-L) at salary scale 13 TV-L including a special annual payment in accordance with the collective agreement
• Opportunity to work in an appreciative and internationally connected project team
• Participation in international conferences and active support for international mobility through the project network
• Individual support and diverse opportunities for further training including through the Graduate Academy for doctoral candidates at Friedrich Schiller University Jena
• Flexible working hours (flexitime and, if applicable, teleworking)
• 30 days of vacation per calendar year and two additional days off on December 24 and 31

The advertised position is offered as a fixed-term position for the duration of the project (36 months).

This is a part-time position with 75 % of the working hours of a full-time employee (30 hours per week).

If you have any questions about the position, please do not hesitate to contact Ms Prof. Humprecht at:

[e-mail]

Candidates with severe disabilities will be given preference in the case of equal qualifications and suitability.

For further information for applicants and the information on the collection of personal data, please refer to Data privacy and information for applicants