Research Associate for the Project “Residential mobility and the realignment of electoral politics in established democracies (RESPOL)” § 28 Subsection 3 HmbHG

Institution: Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences, Department of Social Sciences (Professorship of Political Science, with a focus on Research Methods)

Salary level: EGR. 13 TV-L

Start date: 01.10.2026, fixed until 30.09.2030 (This is a fixed-term contract in accordance with Section 2 of the academic fixed-term labor contract act [Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz, WissZeitVG]).

Application deadline: 2026-05-26

Scope of work: part-time

Weekly hours: 75 % of standard work hours per week

The RESPOL project investigates how residential mobility contributes to the realignment of electoral politics in established democracies. The project introduces residential mobility – domestic migration within a country – as a novel determinant of political attitudes and behavior, complementing existing explanations centered on globalization, economic decline, and cultural threat. It explores how mobility foster individualism and openness while immobility can reinforce localism and parochialism, thus shaping support for either progressive or populist radical right parties. Empirically, RESPOL combines secondary survey data, official statistics, and original surveys across several democracies, with a focus on the US, Germany, and Sweden.

Your responsibilities

Duties include academic services in the project named above. Research associates may also pursue further academic qualifications outside of their work responsibilities.

They may also pursue doctoral studies outside of working duties.

Research tasks include descriptive mapping of political attitudes by mobility, causal analysis using panel data, and the design of a cross-national survey to assess mobility as a political issue.

The position involves independent academic work as well as participation in the theoretical, conceptual, and empirical development of the project. Active involvement in the different phases of the research process is expected. The responsibilities associated with the position include:

• independent contribution to the development of the project’s theoretical framework and its empirical implementation
• execution of data-related tasks, including the collection, processing, validation, integration, and analysis of complex empirical datasets
• shared responsibility for the development, implementation, and analysis of innovative online surveys
• contribution to project reporting and administrative tasks

Your profile

A university degree in a relevant field.

• above-average completed university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in political science, sociology, or a related field
• interest in topics in comparative politics and/or political sociology, particularly political behavior, parties, or regional inequalities
• solid knowledge of quantitative methods and experience with statistical software packages (preferably R, alternatively Stata, SPSS, or others)
• experience in empirical research, ideally survey data and/or official statistics
• very good command of English; good command of German or willingness to acquire it
• structured and independent working style as well as the ability to work in a team

We offer

Reliable remuneration based on wage agreements

Continuing education opportunities

University pensions

Attractive location

Flexible working hours

Work-life balance opportunities

Health management, EGYM Wellpass

Educational leave

30 days of vacation per annum

Universität Hamburg—University of Excellence is one of the strongest research educational institutions in Germany. Our work in research, teaching, educational and knowledge exchange activities is fostering the next generation of responsible global citizens ready to tackle the global challenges facing us. Our guiding principle “Innovating and Cooperating for a Sustainable Future in a digital age” drives collaboration with academic and nonacademic partner institutions in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region and around the world. We would like to invite you to be part of our community to work with us in creating sustainable and digital change for a dynamic and pluralist society.

The University of Hamburg is committed to equity. Diversity enriches our university life, whether in our studies, research, teaching, education, or workplace. We therefore welcome all applications, regardless of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic or social background, age, religion or belief, disability, or chronic illness.

The University of Hamburg strives to increase the number of women in academia, and encourages qualified female academics to apply. Severely disabled and disabled applicants with the same status will receive preference over equally qualified non-disabled applicants.

Instructions for applying

Contact

Dr. Sven Hegewald

Prof. Arndt Leininger, PhD

Location

Allende-Platz 1
20146 Hamburg

Reference number

119

Application deadline

2026-05-26

Use only the online application form to submit your application with the following documents:

• cover letter
• CV
• copies of degree certificate(s)
• writing sample (e.g., term paper or thesis)

If you experience technical problems, send an email to .

More information on in selection procedures.