The Leibniz-Institute for Media Research | Hans-Bredow-Institut (HBI) in Hamburg is seeking to fill the following position starting May 1, 2025: Research associate (Postdoc) (f/w/d) in the field of Computational Social Science. Initially limited to 2 years, with option to extend for a further 2 years subject to funding release, full-time | pay group 13 TV-L | Location Hamburg.
The internationally renowned Leibniz Institute for Media Research | Hans-Bredow-Institut in Hamburg (HBI) conducts high-level research on media transformation and the associated structural changes in public communication. Combining fundamental and applied research, HBI operates in an interdisciplinary and independent manner, generating knowledge relevant to politics, business, and civil society. The institute stands out for its unique combination of social science, communication science, and legal regulatory research, with an increasing emphasis on computer science.
Together with ten other institutes and universities, the HBI is a partner in the “Research Institute Social Cohesion” (RISC/FGZ). HBI contributes to several sub-projects, with a particular focus on the role of media in fostering social cohesion.
The advertised position is assigned to the RISC sub-project “Social Media Observatory” (SMO), which is housed within the HBI’s Media Research Methods Lab. Since its launch in 2020, the SMO has been developed as an open science research infrastructure within RISC. Its primary goal is the long-term monitoring of public communication on selected social media platforms and online news media to address research questions in the social and communication sciences.
To achieve this, the SMO systematically collects and analyzes large scale (network) structure data, content data, and metadata using computational social science methods. Additionally, the SMO provides consultation and training for RISC researchers interested in social media research.
The project team currently consists of two research associates and two student assistants. We are now seeking a postdoctoral researcher to coordinate and further develop the SMO during the second funding phase of RISC (06/2024-05/2029).
Your Responsibilities
- Coordination of work packages within the BMBF-funded project “Social Media Observatory” (SMO)
- Conceptualization and development of the SMO’s technical infrastructure for data collection and analysis
- Advancement of methodologies in social media research
- Collaboration in interdisciplinary teams to address thematic and social science research questions
- Publishing research findings in scientific publications and presenting at conferences
- Organization of academic events, such as invited talks and methodology workshops
- Active participation in internal RISC and HBI meetings and tasks, particularly within the Media Research Methods Lab
Your profile
- University degree, preferably in computer science, data science, computational social science, or digital humanities; candidates from other disciplines must demonstrate proven knowledge in the field of computer science
- PhD in computer science or a social science related to CSS
- Experience in applying and developing CSS methods, such as network analysis, natural language processing, multimodal media content analysis, or evaluation of tracking/digital trace data
- Strong programming skills and experience in research IT infrastructure development, preferably in Python or R
- Experience working with databases
- Familiarity with Command Line Interfaces (CLI) and cloud computing technologies (AWS, Google Cloud) is an advantage
- Willingness to publish scientific research
- Proficiency in English (written and spoken)
- Proficiency in German (B2 Level for non-native speakers)
- Strong organizational and coordination skills
- Independent, creative thinker with a sense of responsibility
- Curiosity about the evolving social media landscape and openness to engage with rapid technical development
What We Offer
- A dynamic research environment at a leading interdisciplinary research institute.
- Opportunities to work with state-of-the-art AI technologies in applied research.
- Flexible working hours and a family-friendly work culture (certified by audit berufundfamilie)
- A collaborative and informal work environment, distinct from traditional academic structures.
- Hybrid work options (remote work possible in coordination with the team).
- Employment benefits in accordance with the TV-L collective agreement.
Contact
Gregor Wiedemann (g.wiedemann@leibniz-hbi.de) will be happy to answer any job-related questions you may have. If you have any procedural questions, please contact our HR department (personal@leibniz-hbi.de).
Your application
If this position interests you, please submit your application by March 23, 2025, including the reference number “INF25-04” to: bewerbung@leibniz-hbi.de
Please attach your application documents as separate PDF files.
We value diversity and encourage applications regardless of background, gender identity, nationality, age, religion, or disability. We are committed to equal professional opportunities and will give special consideration to applicants with disabilities if equally qualified (as per SGB IX).
Please note: Your application documents will be processed and stored as part of the recruitment process.
We look forward to hearing from you!