The Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) is seeking to appoint a full-time postdoctoral researcher to join the Max Planck Research Group on Medical Demography led by Marcus Ebeling.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RESEARCH GROUP

Medical progress has fundamentally changed how people live with disease and how populations age, respond, and adapt. In many societies today, having a history of disease does not necessarily imply poor health. The Max Planck Research Group on Medical Demography investigates this new demographic reality. Our mission is to advance the field of medical demography by building on existing approaches and developing new conceptual, methodological, and empirical foundations. We address key questions such as how medical advances shape population health over the life course, and how they influence population resilience and vulnerability. We collaborate closely with international research groups in the fields of epidemiology, medicine, and demography.

Further information on the research group can be found here: demogr.mpg.de/go/rgmd

=) WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Applications are invited from candidates who have, or will soon obtain, a PhD in demography, sociology, epidemiology, medicine, health economics, biostatistics, public health, or a related field.

The successful candidate is expected to work within one or more of the following areas:

I_Disease Presence and Disease Impact
1) Has disease presence become more or less predictive of disease impact?
2) How do the timing and patterns of disease accumulation shape the onset of disease impact and individual health trajectories, including pathways to death?

II_Diffusion of Medical Progress in Populations
1) How does medical progress shape health inequalities within populations?
2) How are changes in population health linked to how medical progress is distributed within and across populations, for example through in- and outpatient care?

III_Population Resilience and Vulnerability
1) How can population resilience and vulnerability be measured?
2) Does medical progress make populations more or less vulnerable?

We are committed to providing an open, collaborative, and supportive research environment and welcome curious, critical, and motivated researchers who wish to contribute to an emerging interdisciplinary field. German citizenship or residence is not a prerequisite for applying. Our international office will assist successful applicants through the process of obtaining a work visa, if needed.

=) QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

- [Required] Strong interest and demonstrated ability to conduct cutting-edge research at the intersection of demography, sociology, (public) health, and medicine.

- [Required] Proficiency in at least one statistical software package, such as R or Stata.

- [Desirable] Prior experience with quantitative analyses of high-resolution health data, such as population registers, hospital records, or panel data.

=) HOW TO APPLY:

Applications should be in English and be submitted online via this survey [survey.demogr.mpg.de/index.php/135495?lang=en] and should include the following documents:

1) Curriculum Vitae

2) Letter of interest (maximum 1 page)
Briefly explain why you are interested in joining the MPIDR, how the institute could foster your professional development and career trajectory, and how your interests and skills align with the research program of the Medical Demography Group at MPIDR.

3) Research Statement (maximum 2 pages)
Summarize your research accomplishments, ongoing work, and future research plans. Please also describe your technical skills, areas of expertise, and the type of scientific contribution or research agenda you envision making at MPIDR and within the Medical Demography Group.

4) Names and contact information for up to two academic referees

5) One writing sample or publication

In order to receive full consideration, applications should be submitted by March 22, 2026. Interviews are tentatively scheduled for early April 2026 (after Easter). The starting date is flexible, but preferably no later than fall 2026.

=) WHAT WE OFFER:

The successful applicants will be offered a 3-year contract with remuneration commensurate to experience (starting from currently approx. 64,940 EUR gross per year for researchers who have just completed their PhD, up to approx. 74,690 EUR gross per year for more senior scientists), based on the salary structure of the German public sector (Öffentlicher Dienst, TVöD Bund). They are expected to be in residence at the MPIDR, which is based near the Baltic Sea in Rostock, Germany.

The MPIDR is one of the leading demographic research centers in the world. The successful applicant will enjoy a unique opportunity for collaborative research at the MPIDR, in particular with existing departments/groups working on topics within population health.

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. 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 pays for additional costs due to childcare needs of parents who attend conferences. 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. For more information, see: demogr.mpg.de/go/work-family.

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. 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: demogr.mpg.de/go/career-development.

For inquiries about the positions, please contact Marcus Ebeling at ebeling(at)demogr.mpg.de.