Postdoc (m/f/d) in the ERC project “Algorithmic Governance – A Public Perspective” (AGAPP) (E13[...]

Technical University of Munich; München; Vor Ort; EUR 60.000 - 80.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A German university is seeking a Postdoc for the ERC project 'Algorithmic Governance'. The role involves empirical research on algorithmic legitimacy, publication contributions, and some teaching. Candidates should have a doctoral degree in social or behavioral sciences, experience in experimental work, and excellent English skills. This three-year full-time position offers a vibrant research environment and support for academic development.

Leistungen

Opportunities for additional training

Funding for conferences and fieldwork

Support for Open Science and Open Access publications

Qualifikationen

• PhD holders in social or behavioral sciences with relevant experience.
• Proven track record in mixed-method research designs.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Aufgaben

• Design and conduct empirical research on algorithmic governance.
• Write peer-reviewed publications on project aspects.
• Contribute to teaching and administrative tasks.

Kenntnisse

Experimental work with human participants

Quantitative and qualitative methods

Excellent command of English

Data analysis (R, STATA)

Strong organizational skills

Good communication skills

Ausbildung

Doctoral degree in social or behavioral sciences

Tools

R

STATA

Jobbeschreibung

(E13 TV-L, %, starting 1 April or as agreed)

Postdoc (m/f/d) in the ERC project “Algorithmic Governance – A Public Perspective” (AGAPP)

22.12., Wissenschaftliches Personal

About us

The Munich School of Politics and Public Policy (HfP), with its affiliation to the Technical University of Munich (TUM), deals with the multifaceted interactions between politics, society, business and technology in research, teaching and practice. It was established by the Bavarian State Parliament based on a separate law.
The Professorship “Algorithmic Governance and Public Policy” focuses on the policy, ethical, and societal implications of algorithmic decision‑making across public and private domains. Our team combines cutting‑edge computational techniques with traditional social science methods and we are equally interested in methodological innovation and in the broader consequences of automation for democratic institutions. Prof. Gritsenko is a political scientist who has carried out qualitative, quantitative, and experimental research on topics of policy and governance, including energy, environment, and digital transformation.

Responsibilities

How do individuals evaluate legitimacy of algorithmic governance? The main task of the appointed researcher is to contribute to answering this research question by designing, coordinating and conducting empirical research on the use of heuristics in cognition of algorithmic legitimacy. Working closely with the Principal Investigator, the post‑doctoral fellow will play a pivotal role in project implementation individually and jointly with other team members. The appointee will help to develop in‑depth understanding of cognitive processes in the context of legitimacy and translate it into concepts that can be operationalised in empirical, especially experimental, studies, and by using focus groups, interviews and think‑aloud methods. Other main tasks include writing up joint peer‑reviewed publications on methodological and comparative aspects of the project, working on individual peer‑reviewed articles, and actively participating in online and onsite research activities of the group. The appointed researcher will also contribute up to 10% of their annual working time to teaching and administrative tasks at the Professorship “Algorithmic Governance and Public Policy”. It is possible to complete the teaching and administrative tasks in English.

Qualifications

An appointee to the position must hold a doctoral degree in social or behavioral sciences (incl. human‑computer interactions with relevant experience). Applicants must demonstrate experience in experimental work with human participants; possess versatile methodological skills (ideally both quantitative and qualitative); have the ability to work independently and collaboratively in research teams; and have an excellent command of written and spoken English.
The default assumption is that the doctoral degree requirement must be met by the beginning of the employment. The chosen applicant is expected to reside in Germany while employed by the TUM.

Essential qualities and attributes

The ideal candidate would have a proven track‑record of creating and deploying mixed‑method research designs to study human decision‑making. Successful applicants will demonstrate excellent methodological and academic writing skills, experience with data management and confidence in data analysis (R, STATA, etc.). While experience in experimental work with human participants is a must (lab, field, experimental UI/UX, etc.), preference will be given to the applicants who can also demonstrate experience in qualitative research (such as interviews, focus group design and analysis). Strong organizational skills are required in order to plan and conduct fieldwork in two countries (UK and Singapore). Familiarity with ecological rationality framework is a plus. As the postdoctoral researcher will be working in a team with other researchers, including PhD students, it is essential that applicants demonstrate good communication skills.

What we offer

The successful candidate will become part of a vibrant research environment of the School of Social Sciences and Technology (SOT) at TUM. This three‑year full‑time position provides excellent opportunities for intellectual development, support for additional training, help to build an outstanding publishing record, and opportunities to teach and (co)-supervise MA students. The project offers funding for conferences, fieldwork, and opportunities for developing a strong academic network. We support Open Science and Open Access publications. The salary is based on your qualifications and personal suitability in accordance with TV‑L (salary scale E13). Applicants of any gender, nationality and cultural background are welcomed.

Further information

Further information about the positions and the research project may be obtained from Dr. Daria Gritsenko, daria.gritsenko(at)tum.de

How to apply

Applicants are requested to enclose with their applications the following documents in English:

• Attachment 1) A curriculum vitae that includes the names, positions and contact details of two referees;
• Attachment 2) A statement (max. words) outlining how the applicant would contribute to the AGAPP project;
• Attachment 3) A numbered list of publications on which the applicant has marked in bold their one to three key publications to be considered during the review;
• Attachment 4) An outline (max. words) of the applicant’s methodological skills (quantitative, qualitative, experimental), experience with software, fieldwork experience, etc, with reference to publications (Attachment 3).

Please send these documents by email in a single PDF document to by February 6, , at the latest.

Information on the processing of your data can be found at:

The position is suitable for disabled persons. Disabled applicants will be given preference in case of generally equivalent suitability, aptitude and professional performance.

Data Protection Information:

When you apply for a position with the Technical University of Munich (TUM), you are submitting personal information. With regard to personal information, please take note of the Datenschutzhinweise gemäß Art. 13 Datenschutz‑Grundverordnung (DSGVO) zur Erhebung und Verarbeitung von personenbezogenen Daten im Rahmen Ihrer Bewerbung. (data protection information on collecting and processing personal data contained in your application in accordance with Art. 13 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)). By submitting your application, you confirm that you have acknowledged above data protection information of TUM.