1 PhD Position in MCTS at the Technical University of Munich

Deadline: August 25, 2021

The Professorship of Science & Technology Policy (Prof. Dr. Ruth Müller), based at the Munich Center for Technology in Society (MCTS), Technical University of Munich, announces one open position for a doctoral researcher in Science & Technology Studies (MCTS) (TV-L E13, 65%, 3 years). For more information, please see the description below. The position starts on October 15, 2021.

About us

The research group “Science & Technology Policy” (STP) at MCTS explores the interactions between science, technology, society and policy, with a distinct focus on the social studies of the life sciences and biomedicine. The group is based at the MCTS, an interdisciplinary research center in Science and Technology Studies (MCTS). As of October 2021, the MCTS will transform into the Department of Science, Technology & Society at the newly founded TUM School of Social Sciences & Technology. The MCTS – and the future MCTS Department – is home to about 60 researchers in MCTS and two international MA programs (MA Science & Technology Studies and MA Responsibility in Science, Engineering and Technology), as well as a hub for international guest researchers in MCTS.

About the research project

We are seeking a doctoral researcher to join our team for the project “Responsible Innovation Communication in AI Research” funded by the TUM-IAS. The position will start on October 15, 2021. This project is a cooperation with Prof. Dr. Maja Horst (DTU Copenhagen). It will explore what it might mean to consider communication as a key element of responsible research and innovation, focusing specifically on representations of AI research and researchers in public discourse in Germany and on the role scientists play in generating and responding to public narratives. Due to its specific focus on German public communication about AI, German language are beneficial for this position. For further information see: https://www.ias.tum.de/research-areas/political-social-and-technological-change/responsible-innovation-communication

Your tasks as a doctoral researcher

As a doctoral researcher, you will work as part of a project team. Your tasks will include empirical research and data analysis, preparation of results for publication, presentation of results at (international) academic meetings, contributions to the teaching portfolio of the group and support for organizing project-related academic events. You will develop an innovative research question for your PhD thesis as part of the project and in collaboration with the project leader, Prof. Ruth Müller. You will regularly meet with your supervisor to discuss and support the progress of your thesis. Beyond the project, you will be part of the Science & Technology Policy research group and at the lively research community at the MCTS department more generally. You will actively participate in the academic life of the group and the department, which both regularly host international guest researchers and academic events. As a PhD student at TU Munich, you will be enrolled in the TUM Graduate School, which provides a structured PhD program and offers a rich program of courses in academic and transferable skills.

Applicants should hold a Master’s degree in the social sciences, humanities, or the life sciences. Familiarity with MCTS concepts and experience with qualitative social science research methods is highly desirable. You should be interested in working across the disciplines and in engaging with other knowledge cultures. You should further be capable of and interested in working both as part of a team and independently. Fluency in English is essential for the academic life at the center. We are looking for inspired and inspiring new talents who want to work in and contribute to an exciting, interdisciplinary MCTS research environment.

Application documents

Your complete application documents must include your CV, your Master’s degree certificates, a letter of motivation (max. 2 pages), 1-2 writing samples (e.g., thesis chapters, articles, etc.), and names and contact details of 2 references, including a brief statement explaining your relationship to each of the named references.

Interested?

Please send your complete application as a single pdf document to applications.stp@mcts.tum.de. We will accept and review all applications received up until and including Wednesday, August 25, 2021. Interviews will be conducted shortly after the application deadline, in person or via a video conferencing tool. We are committed to raising the number of women and gender non-binary individuals in research and teaching, who are especially encouraged to apply. Applicants with disabilities are treated with preference given comparable qualifications.

If you have questions about the application procedure, please contact applications.stp@mcts.tum.de. If you have content-related questions, please contact cansu.guner@tum.de.