Research position in migration and mobility studies in Germany

The Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology is one of the leading centres for research in social anthropology. Common to all research projects at the institute is the comparative analysis of social change; it is primarily in this domain that its researchers contribute to anthropological theory, though many programmes also have applied significance and political topicality.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

The Department “Anthropology of Economic Experimentation” is seeking a researcher with the highest potential to advance migration and mobility studies.

Migration and mobility studies is a strategic component of the research programme of the Department. We expect the postholder to (1) develop his/her own high-impact research projects, with a focus on the interactions among political economy, mobility infrastructure, and migrants’ concerns, (2) engage in public outreach, including with migrants, NGOs, art communities and think tanks, and (3) lead the development of the Mobility Lab (MoLab), particularly by developing broad theorization based on material accumulated through the MoLab Inventory. The MoLab was initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way of conducting real-time observation of the mobility dimensions of this unprecedented phenomenon, and has been developed into an ongoing observatory of the forms of mobility associated with contemporary forms of economic organization. MoLab now contains around 100 entries (in both text and multimedia format), and continues to grow.

Applicants must have carried out in-depth field research related to migration or/and mobility. They should be committed to broad conceptualization beyond case studies and contributing to the “common concerns” approach. As the shared style of thinking that defines the Department, this approach identifies research questions not according to gaps in academic knowledge, but through understanding the concerns people are grappling with in their everyday lives and which reflect their subjective experience of objective social contradictions. In addition, the applicants should have strong skills in leading collective research and publishing.

Your Profile

Applicants should hold a Ph.D. in anthropology, sociology or a related discipline or submit evidence indicating that such a dissertation will be successfully completed before the designated starting date.

They Offer

The research position will be for a duration of four years. Employment will be on a full-time contractual basis. Remuneration is in accordance with the Collective Wage Agreement for the Civil Service (TVöD, level E13). The workplace is Halle (Saale), a dynamic, historical town in central Germany (Sachsen-Anhalt) that is home to the renowned Martin Luther University and numerous scientific institutions. Our modern campus is in a quiet, picturesque neighbourhood near the centre of town.

The Max Planck Society is committed to raising the proportion of women in science; we thus explicitly encourage applications from female researchers. Individuals with disabilities will be given priority, assuming equal qualifications.

Organisation

Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology

Location

Research field

Deadline

02th April 2023

More information

Euraxess