The Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) is recruiting highly qualified Post-Docs or more senior Research Scientists to join the Lab of Migration and Mobility and/or the Lab of Population Dynamics and Sustainable Well-Being, within the Department of Digital and Computational Demography, headed by MPIDR Director Emilio Zagheni. 

Digital and computational demography is a growing interdisciplinary field that tackles fundamental questions across all domains of population research by combining the methods and perspectives of computational sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and statistics. The field has emerged in parallel with rapid technological improvements in computing, the spread of Internet and mobile technologies, and the increased digitalization of data and of people’s lives. Our group brings together methodologists (from areas like statistics, computer science or formal demography) with population scientists in order to foster cross-pollination of ideas, to advance methods and theories of demographic research, and to address pressing scientific and societal questions.

Candidates who can enrich, complement or expand projects in Research Areas of the Lab of Migration and Mobility or Research Areas of the Lab of Population Dynamics and Sustainable Well-Being would be particularly welcome. Across all profiles, ability and willingness to work in interdisciplinary teams in order to conduct cutting-edge research that advances our understanding of population processes is key.

Examples of themes that we are interested in strengthening include (but are not limited to):

• The use of advanced statistical analysis, machine learning or causal inference for estimating, understanding and forecasting demographic and health outcomes, at the individual and aggregate levels, including as they relate to life course and socio-economic and labor market dynamics.
   
• Modeling, understanding and forecasting migration flows, including dynamics by age and gender, by level of education, and for high-skilled migration, as well as integration of migrants and the social and economic implications of migration.
   
• The assessment of the impact of socio-technological transformations, including the digitalization of life and the adoption of Artificial Intelligence tools, on socio-demographic inequalities, demographic outcomes, family formation (e.g. the role of online dating), gender inequalities, intergenerational relationships, and well-being.
   
• The assessment of the relationships between climate change, population dynamics and individual behaviors, including the impact of climate change on demographic and health indicators.

Applications have to be in English and submitted online via this survey and include the following documents:

1. Curriculum Vitae
    
2. 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 career trajectory, and in which ways your interests and skills fit the research program of the department and corresponding lab at MPIDR.   
    
3. Research Statement (Max 2 pages)
   Briefly describe your research accomplishments, as well as ongoing and future research plans. Please also describe your technical skills, areas of expertise, as well as the type of scientific contribution that you envision making at MPIDR.
    
4. Names and contact information for 2 academic referees
    
5. Two writing samples or publications

Our labs are committed to transparent and reproducible research. We welcome applicants who have embraced open science practices in their work and/or are enthusiastic about developing open science practices.

The announcement will be open until the positions are filled. In order to receive full consideration, applications should be submitted by October 10, 2025. The starting date is flexible, but no later than fall 2026. The successful applicants will be offered a 3-year contract with remuneration commensurate to experience (starting from currently approx. 63,000 EUR gross per year for researchers who have just completed their PhD, up to approx. 72,500 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.

For inquiries about the positions, please contact the Labs deputy heads Daniela Perrotta or Ugofilippo Basellini.

The MPIDR is one of the leading demographic research centers in the world, part of the Max Planck Society, a network of more than 80 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 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. 

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.

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. For more information, see: https://www.demogr.mpg.de/go/work-family

In addition, there are a range of Max Planck Society-wide initiatives and measures primarily geared towards helping young female researchers and mothers to advance their career. For some examples, see: https://www.demogr.mpg.de/go/career-development

ABOUT THE PROJECT

We are pleased to invite applications to a 3.5-year University of Manchester doctoral studentship in Social Statistics. The studentship is jointly funded by the Social Statistics Department, University of Manchester, UK, and the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR), Germany, one of the world-leading research centres in population sciences.

In many countries, migration has become a key driver of population change. However, traditional data on migration often lack precision, are biased or are reported with large delays. Digital traces and big data often contain information on human mobility but new methods are required to use and integrate these new forms of data with data derived from traditional sources. This is an excellent opportunity for highly-motivated and qualified candidates to work with an international team on developing cutting-edge novel statistical and computational methods in estimating and forecasting human migration with the use of traditional and new forms of data, including for developing and low-income countries. Research outputs will also contribute to the Human Migration Database, currently developed by the MPIDR.

The successful applicant will spend the first 21 months at the Social Statistics Department, University of Manchester. They will be working in a vibrant community of PhD students in Social Statistics, Social Data Analytics and Biosocial Research. They will participate in research activities of the Department, such as seminars and research away-days, and will have an opportunity to teach as Graduate Teaching Assistants. The remainder of the 21 months of the studentship will be spent at the MPIDR in the Department of Digital and Computational Demography. The successful candidate is expected to enrol in the MPIDR IMPRS-PHDS programme.

It is expected that the PhD student will prepare a thesis as a collection of research articles according to the postgraduate research policies of the University of Manchester. 

ELIGIBILITY

Academic

- Bachelor's (Honours) degree in a cognate subject at 2:1 or above (or overseas equivalent); and
- Master's degree in a relevant subject - with an overall average of 65% or above, a minimum mark of 65% in your dissertation and no mark below 55% (or overseas equivalent)

English Language

All applicants must provide evidence of English language proficiency:

- IELTS test minimum score - 7.0 overall, 7.0 in writing, 6.5 in other sections.
- TOEFL (internet based) test minimum score - 100 overall, 25 all sections.
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) UKVI/SELT or PTE Academic minimum score - 76 overall, 76 in writing, 70 in other sections.
- To demonstrate that you have taken an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a majority English speaking nation within the last 5 years.
- Other tests may be considered https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/international/admissions/language-requirements/.

The application deadline will be Midnight (GMT) on 23/02/25. Apply online for PhD Social Statistics at the University of Manchester. Find the full job description and registration form here.

CONTACT

For informal enquires please contact Arkadiusz Wiśniowski (a.wisniowski@manchester.ac.uk), Emilio Zagheni (zagheni@demogr.mpg.de) or Kingsley Purdam (Kingsley.Purdam@manchester.ac.uk). For enquiries about the application process, please contact the Humanities Doctoral Academy Admissions office (hums.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk).

FUNDING NOTES

During the period in Manchester, the studentship will cover tuition fees, an annual maintenance stipend £19,237 per annum for 2024/25) and will be able to claim certain expenses from the Research Training Support Grant.

During the period in Germany, the student will receive a gross salary of €37,909 per annum and financial support for travel, training and data acquisition. 

Equality, diversity and inclusion

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.

The MPIDR values diversity and is keen to employ individuals from minorities. We are committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in our workforce and therefore encourage
applications from such qualified individuals. Furthermore, we seek to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourage women to apply.