Predoctoral project researcher (m/f/d) for the project “Power, Politics and Contestation in Glo[...]

TN Germany; Berlin; Vor Ort; EUR 35.000 - 55.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

An established research institution in Berlin is seeking a predoctoral project researcher to contribute to an innovative project focused on the dynamics of global technical standard-setting. This role involves conducting in-depth research, analyzing transformations in economic governance, and developing a dissertation on rising standards power. The successful candidate will join a collaborative team and will have opportunities for fieldwork and conference travel, making this an exciting chance to engage with pressing global issues in a supportive academic environment.

Leistungen

Funding for conference travel

Funding for fieldwork

Support for dissemination activities

Qualifikationen

• Completed master’s degree in social sciences or related fields.
• Experience in qualitative and/or quantitative research methods.

Aufgaben

• Conduct scientific research on global technical standard-setting.
• Assist with data analysis, publications, and project events.

Kenntnisse

Fluency in English

Qualitative research methods

Quantitative research methods

Communication in Mandarin

Communication in Swahili

Communication in Hindi

Ausbildung

Completed master’s degree

Jobbeschreibung

Predoctoral project researcher (m/f/d) for the project “Power, Politics and Contestation in Global Technical Standard-Setting (TECHtonics)” with expected full-time employment - E 13 TV-L HU (third-party funding limited until 31.08.2027), Berlin

The Department of Asian and African Studies at Humboldt University Berlin is hiring a predoctoral project researcher to join the European Research Council-funded project on “Power, Politics and Contestation in Global Technical Standard-Setting (TECHtonics)”, led by Prof. Dr. Sarah Eaton.

Employing mixed methods, TECHtonics aims to understand how and why some developing countries manage to acquire “standards power,” despite high technical and financial barriers, and to analyze the multifaceted forms of contestation unfolding in standardization.

Responsibilities

• Conduct scientific research for the project “Power, Politics and Contestation in Global Technical Standard-Setting (TECHtonics)”
• Study transformations and contestation in global economic governance, specifically in technical standard-setting
• Assist the project team with data analysis, publications, ERC grant management, and organization of project events
• Develop a dissertation on a topic related to “rising standards power,” based on empirical research in regions such as Kenya, India, or China

Requirements

• Completed master’s degree by the time of appointment
• Background in social sciences (e.g., political science, economics, sociology) or related fields (e.g., area studies)
• Fluency in English; knowledge of German is a plus but not required
• Ability to communicate effectively in one or more languages spoken in the study regions (e.g., Mandarin, Swahili, Hindi)
• Willingness to relocate to Berlin
• Experience or strong interest in qualitative and/or quantitative research methods
• Interest and capacity to undertake fieldwork in study regions
• Research focus on standardization or related issues

The successful candidate will join a small, collegial research team in Berlin. The project offers funding for conference travel, fieldwork, and dissemination activities.