1 Postdoctoral Researcher Position at the Department of STS, TUM

The Professorship of Science & Technology Policy (Prof. Dr. Ruth Müller), based at the Department of STS at the Technical University of Munich, announces an open position for a postdoctoral researcher (TV-L E13, 100%, 1 year). The position is to start as soon as possible, latest on Jan 1, 2022. Application deadline: Nov 4, 2021.

Deadline: November 04, 2021

About us

The research group “Science & Technology Policy” (STP) explores the interactions between science, technology, society, and policy, focusing specifically on transforming and emerging knowledge cultures in academia and their social, political, and ethical dimensions. The STP group is based at the Department of Science, Technology & Society at the newly founded TUM School of Social Sciences & Technology. The department is home to about 60 researchers in STS, hosts two international MA programs (MA Science & Technology Studies and MA Responsibility in Science, Engineering, and Technology), and is a hub for international guest researchers in STS.

About the research projects

The project “Wissensschaftskulturen in Deutschland“, supported by the VW Foundation, is a pilot project that explores contemporary scientific cultures in Germany, focusing specifically on challenges and opportunities for aspiring researchers (postdocs and tenure track researchers) and how this group of researchers can be enabled to conduct rigorous, creative and responsible research. To this end, we will conduct case studies at a range of German research institutions which aim to elucidate how circumstances, opportunities and challenges differ based on research field, institutional context and other variables. The project will employ qualitative research methods, such as semi-structured interviews, focus groups and document analysis. Research findings are intended to critically and constructively inform funding programs and other activities at the VW Foundations. Through international expert workshops and other activities, the project offers unique opportunities to network with international scholars in STS and science policy experts.

Your tasks as postdoctoral researcher

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will work as part of the project team, together with Prof. Dr. Ruth Müller. Your tasks will include empirical research and data analysis, presentation of results at international academic meetings and in international academic journals, and the organization of research-related academic events. Beyond the project, you will be part of the Science & Technology Policy research group and the lively STS research community at the STS 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.

Applicants should hold a PhD in STS or related social science research fields. A successful candidate will be familiar with STS concepts and theories; experienced in qualitative social science research methods; interested in working in an interdisciplinary and collaborative research environment and in engaging with other knowledge cultures; able to work independently and as part of a team; and capable of both rigorous and creative academic work. English language skills at a high level of quality are essential for the position and for academic life at the STS department in general. For this project, high level German skills are essential, too. We are looking for inspired and inspiring new talents who want to work in and contribute to an exciting, interdisciplinary STS research environment.

Application documents

Your complete application documents must include your CV, your PhD degree certificate, 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 Nov 4, 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 qualification.

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