The Max Planck – University of Helsinki Center for Social Inequalities in Population Health is currently seeking to appoint one or more full-time post-doctoral researchers. We welcome applications from researchers with a PhD in demography, sociology, statistics, epidemiology, public health, biology, anthropology, economics, computer science, and allied fields. The successful candidate(s) will work on the role of genetic factors in shaping health inequalities, and/or they will develop novel techniques for leveraging genetic data. We are also open to applicants interested in the other research themes of the Center (family and health, health inequalities in an international perspective), and in other topics covered in the Department Social Demography at the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR), including fertility, mortality and morbidity, and labor markets. The successful candidate(s) will develop their own agenda within the Center, and they will contribute their skills and knowledge to other projects in the Center and to the MPIDR. We are seeking creative, self-driven, and collaborative scholars. Advanced knowledge of quantitative methods and statistical software such as R, Python, or Stata is required.

The Max Planck – University of Helsinki Center for Social Inequalities in Population Health is a major joint initiative of the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Germany, and the University of Helsinki, Finland. To achieve the Center’s vision of unearthing the pivotal social processes that generate health inequalities it leverages linked family-based data, natural experimental designs, genetically-informed social epidemiological data, advanced dynamic modelling techniques, and a combination of theoretical frameworks.

We provide a stimulating research-oriented community, an excellent infrastructure, and opportunities to work with exciting datasets. The successful applicant(s) will be offered a contract for up to 4 years with remuneration commensurate to experience (starting from approx. 64,900 EUR gross per year for researchers who have just completed their PhD, up to approx. 74,600 EUR gross per year for more senior scientists), based on the salary structure of the German public sector (Öffentlicher Dienst, TVöD Bund; EG14/1-3).

The advertised positions are located at the MPIDR. It is expected that the successful applicant(s) will be in residence at the MPIDR in Rostock, Germany, and support for relocation costs is available. We provide ample opportunities to work also in the Helsinki unit of the Center that houses a unique data structure that is critical for the research agenda of the Center. This data covers all Finnish individuals nested in areas, families, and household for over five decades with detailed information of sociodemographic characteristics and health from population registers, and genetic information for a sub-set from epidemiological surveys. Use of the data is possible both from Rostock and Helsinki, and scientists working for the Center have access also to other key international datasets for health inequality research.

Please apply online via this survey (https://survey.demogr.mpg.de/index.php/992998?lang=en) and include in a single PDF file:

1) Letter of interest (max. 1 page)

2) Curriculum Vitae (max. 3 pages, focusing on your most relevant achievements)

3) A writing example (e.g., one of your publications)

4) Contact information for up to 2 academic referees

In order to receive full consideration, please apply by January 11, 2026. Interviews are planned for February 2 to February 13. The exact starting date is flexible. Applicants should have completed their doctoral degree; however, candidates expecting to finish their PhD in 2026 can also apply.

For general inquiries about the position, the Center, and the topics it covers please contact Christian Dudel at dudel@demogr.mpg.de.

The MPIDR is one of the leading demographic research centers in the world. It is part of the Max Planck Society, a network of 84 institutes that form Germany’s premier basic-research organization. Max Planck Institutes have an established record of world-class, foundational research in the sciences, technology, social sciences and the humanities. They offer a unique environment that combines the best aspects of an academic setting and a research laboratory.

The MPIDR is an equal opportunities employer. Respect and inclusivity are central to our work culture, where diversity in gender, background, beliefs, abilities, and identities is embraced and valued. We are committed to shaping a culture that encourages continuous development of each person’s skills and potential.

The Max Planck Society offers a broad range of measures to support the reconciliation of work and family. These are complemented by the MPIDR’s own initiatives. For more information, see: https://www.demogr.mpg.de/go/work-family.

In addition, there are a range of central initiatives and measures primarily geared towards helping young female researchers and mothers to advance their career. See the link below for some examples: https://www.demogr.mpg.de/go/career-development.

We value diversity and are keen to employ individuals from minorities and under-represented groups.

The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. Furthermore, the Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply.