Post-doctoral researchers (m/f/d) (EduTrack)

Position Overview

The Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) seeks to appoint several full‑time post‑doctoral researchers (f/m/d) to join the EduTrack project consortium.

EduTrack: Tracking Education Pathways and Social Policies is a 6‑year interdisciplinary project between the MPIDR, the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, the Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science, and coordinated by Population Europe. The project aims to generate scientific evidence, to disseminate expertise, and to promote policy dialogue on how education and knowledge transfer in different settings and over different life courses contribute to individual and societal well‑being and resilience. Within the project, the MPIDR leads the research area on the bidirectional relationships between sociodemographic circumstances and educational trajectories. The geographic scope of the project is not tied to any specific region.

Key Requirements and Expectations

We welcome applications on any topic at the intersection of demography and education and encourage everyone with a fitting and ambitious research agenda to apply.

The project will fund four full‑time dedicated postdocs. A willingness to collaborate across disciplines is essential. Strong quantitative skills are required, as is knowledge of R, Stata, Python, or other relevant programming languages.

We would be particularly interested in researchers working on topics that include (but are not limited to):

• The intersection of education, political polarization, and demographic change
• The mechanisms through which education and demographic outcomes (including migration, health and mortality, and fertility and family formation) affect each other
• High‑skilled migration and regional and global skill imbalances
• Patterns of immigrant integration and intergenerational transmission of inequality
• Human capital formation, productivity, and long‑term socio‑economic sustainability

Benefits

We provide a stimulating research‑oriented community, excellent infrastructure, and opportunities to work with exciting datasets.

The successful applicant will be offered a contract for up to 4 years with remuneration commensurate to experience (starting from approx. €67,500 gross per year for researchers who have just completed their PhD, up to approx. €77,600 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 position is open to applicants from anywhere in the world; however, it is expected that successful candidates will relocate to Rostock or its close vicinity for the duration of the contract. Support for relocation costs is available.

Application Process

Please apply online via this survey and include in a single PDF file:

• Cover Letter (maximum 1 page)
• Curriculum Vitae (maximum 3 pages)
• Research Statement (maximum 2 pages) – Summarize your research accomplishments, ongoing work, and future research plans. Please also describe the technical skills and expertise that you would bring to EduTrack collaborative projects.
• Names and contact information for two academic referees
• One writing sample or publication

To receive full consideration, please apply by the 15th of August 2026. Interviews will be held online and are planned for early September 2026.

The exact starting date is flexible, but no earlier than the beginning of 2027. Applicants should have either completed their doctoral degree already or expect to complete their degree in early 2027.

For inquiries about the position, please contact Alyson van Raalte at

Equal Opportunity Statement

The MPIDR is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are keen to employ individuals from minorities and underrepresented 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, it seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply.