The Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) seeks to appoint up to two outstanding early-career researchers to lead independent Max Planck Research Groups in areas of demography that strengthen or complement the research portfolio of the Institute.

The MPIDR is one of the leading demographic research centers in the world. The Institute’s scientists advance fundamental research in areas related to fertility, mortality and migration, as well as study issues of policy relevance, such as demographic change, aging, health, the redistribution of work and transfers over the life course, as well as the digitization of life and the use of novel data sources for understanding demographic dynamics. The MPIDR is part of the Max Planck Society, a network of 86 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 successful candidates (m/f/d) will be appointed as independent research group leaders at the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research. The position comes with a competitive salary package, as well as generous funds to support a research team and associated research costs. This is a five-year position with the possibility of a two-year extension following a positive evaluation. A starting date is negotiable but it is expected that the successful candidate joins the Institute during the year 2022. The successful candidates are expected to conduct the work locally at the MPIDR.

What we offer
Max Planck Research Group Leaders will receive a five-year contract with remuneration on the basis of remuneration group W2 (broadly equivalent to Associate Professor) of the Federal Civil Service Remuneration Act [Bundesbesoldungsgesetz] and a generous annual budget for personnel and consumables (which can be used towards, e.g., a postdoctoral position, up to two doctoral students, material costs and operational expenses). Research group leaders are free to supplement their budget with the acquisition of external research funding.

It is expected that the candidates will develop and direct an innovative independent research program. Together with their Research Group, group leaders can make use of the excellent infrastructure and research support of the Institute.

The MPIDR is an equal opportunities employer. Our work atmosphere includes respectful treatment of each other, with gender, nationality, religion, disability, age, cultural origin, and sexual identity playing no role. We aim to have an institutional culture that enables everyone to develop their individual skills and competencies.

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. The Society has been awarded the certificate “Work and Family” which is granted to institutions committed to establishing a family-friendly corporate culture by binding target agreements. The MPIDR collaborates with a network of local day-care centers that provides childcare places for the children of Institute staff. The Max Planck Society has contracts with a private family service company that offers services such as arranging child care on short notice in various cities in Germany for parents who attend conferences, care services for children of school age up to 14 years, and support for those caring for family members and relatives. The MPIDR also practices flexible working-time models, which include at least one home office day per week, and scheduling meetings only within core working hours. To help accompanying spouses and partners find appropriate work at their new location, the MPIDR works in close cooperation with Dual-Career Partners in regional networks.

Application criteria
Successful applicants should have

a doctoral degree in Demography or a related field received no more than 7 years ago (extensions apply, e.g. for parental leave);
an outstanding track record of publications, commensurate with their level of experience.
Ideally, they show

exceptional promise for advancing demographic research;
experience in mentoring and training students as well as a track record in securing external funding.
Applications have to be submitted online via https://www.demogr.mpg.de/go/JobAd119341

and include the following documents:

Curriculum Vitae
Letter of interest (Max 1 page) Briefly state why you are interested in joining the MPIDR, how the MPIDR could foster your professional development, and in which ways your interests fit the research strengths of the MPIDR.
Research Statement (Max 3 pages) Briefly describe your research accomplishments, as well as ongoing and future research plans, including a 5-year plan for a research group. Please also describe your technical skills, areas of expertise, as well as offer evidence of leadership in the field.
Statement of mentorship/supervision experience (Max 1 page) Briefly describe any experience you have in regard to supervising and/or mentoring younger scholars (e.g. doctoral students, early career postdoctoral researchers), and also any research-administrative experience you may have acquired.
Names and contact information for 3 academic references
3 recent publications
In order to receive full consideration, applications should be submitted by September 23, 2021.

Interviews are tentatively scheduled for October 11 and 12, 2021.

Answers to FAQs about the position of Max Planck Research Group Leaders can be found at https://www.mpg.de/mprg/faqs. For further inquiries about the position, please contact michaelis@demogr.mpg.de.

Our Institute values diversity and is keen to employ individuals from minorities.

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.