PhD Position (f/m/d) | Short-Term Mindsets and Crime: From Theory to Intervention

Stellenbeschreibung:

PhD Position (f/m/d) | Short-Term Mindsets and Crime: From Theory to Intervention

Apply for a PhD position at the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and Law in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany. Working within the Department of Criminology, you will contribute to cutting‑edge research on the role of short‑term mindsets in crime and develop intervention strategies.

Responsibilities

Design and conduct innovative empirical studies on the causes, consequences, and malleability of short‑term mindsets.
Collect and analyze longitudinal data, experimental designs, or ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to investigate dynamic mechanisms of crime.
Develop your own research ideas within the short‑term mindset framework, focusing on situational triggers, decision‑making processes, behavioral proxies, or interventions.
Publish findings in high‑impact journals and present at international conferences.
Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of criminologists, psychologists, sociologists, mathematicians, and computer scientists.

Qualifications

Completed or close to completing a master’s degree (or equivalent) in psychology, criminology, behavioral economics, sociology, or a related discipline.
Background in statistics and experience with experimental research methods.
Strong interest in crime research and novel research methods.
Excellent written and spoken English language skills; German language skills are an asset but not required.
Highly collaborative attitude and excellent social and communication skills.
Open science and transparent research practices are an asset.

Application Materials

Motivation letter (max. one page, 10‑pt Times New Roman) explaining how your interests and profile match the project goals and selection criteria.
Name and email address of at least one scholar who has agreed to provide a reference for you.
Curriculum vitae, including a list of publications (first author or co‑author).
Writing sample (e.g., Master’s thesis, seminar paper, first‑authored journal article).
Study certificates and transcripts of records.

The deadline for applications is 31 December 2025. Applicants will be informed in the week of 12 January 2026 whether they are invited for an interview. Online interviews are currently planned for February 2026.

We are an equal opportunity employer and support diversity in our workplace. Applications are particularly welcome from persons with backgrounds that have so far been underrepresented in science and research.