The Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies e.V. (IASS) is an international, interdisciplinary center of excellence located in Potsdam, Germany. The IASS is financed by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the Federal State of Brandenburg and devoted to promoting science and research for global sustainability, particularly in the areas of climate change, the earth system and the development of new technologies and social pathways to sustainability. Further information about the IASS can be accessed under www.iass-potsdam.de/en. Applications are sought for the position of a

Research Associate (100%) (m/f)
Democratic (Re)Configurations of Sustainability Transformations

The successful candidate will become part of the project „Democratic (Re)Configurations of Sustainability Transformations“ led by the academic director Prof. Dr. Patrizia Nanz. The research group analyzes the dynamics of sustainability governance, especially against the background of the challenges democracy is facing in the 21st century. On the basis of a critical analysis, the project develops insights into the structures, processes and the best prerequisites of various societal areas which are essential for democratic sustainability transformations from the local to the global level. Based on this, the deficiencies of democratic governance are to be identified and democratic innovations formulated. The aim of the project is to address the following questions: What role does the simultaneity of different scales play from local to global? To what extent is the sectoral design of democratic governance still appropriate? What could an overcoming scales and sectors democratic government practice look like? Tasks:

• Research on democratic innovation in the context of sustainability transformations, such as
  • Idea-historical debate about the democratization of democracy
  • Addressing the debate on democratic innovation in the area of sustainability
  • Intended as well as unintended consequences of democratic innovations
  • Democracy and demands of modern governance
  • Combination of political theory and political practice for the theoretical development of existing understanding of innovation
• Creation of scientific publications, publication management, writing lectures, conducting transdisciplinary dialogues, participation in press and public relations, conceptual design and implementation of events with the team

Requirements:

• You have completed a university degree in political science or social sciences or a closely related subject; a doctorate is required
• You have professional experience as a research associate working in interdisciplinary teams and at the interface between science, politics and society

Qualifications:

• You have outstanding knowledge in the fields of democracy research and sustainability transformations
• You have advanced knowledge of one or more of our topics: Democratic Innovation; UN, EU and other international organizations; Transformation processes to climate-neutral societies; Global governance; Anthropocene
• You have broad experience in working with an interdisciplinary team and appreciate the gain in knowledge away from a purely disciplinary located thematic debate
• You are familiar with the cooperation of actors from science and politics and also have experience in working with civil society and/or economic actors
• You have knowledge in the implementation of transdisciplinary dialogues
• You have a high degree of initiative and organizational skills
• You have excellent written and oral communication skills in English; Basic knowledge of German is required

We offer an exciting and diverse job in an interdisciplinary team, the opportunity to work on current societal issues, excellent contacts to a wide range of national and international political and research organizations, and an open, international and friendly work environment. The remuneration will be according to the German public service federal employment system (E 13 TVöD Bund - assessment presumption). The position is to be filled at the earliest possible date and initially limited to two years. Place of work is Potsdam, Germany. IASS seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply. We encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds. Applications of disabled persons with equal qualifications will be regarded favorably. If you are interested in this position, we look forward to receiving your application, including a letter of motivation, CV and a writing sample. Please submit your complete application, combined in a single PDF file no larger than 5 MB, no later than 13.01.2019 to Sara Agbéti (sara.agbeti@iass-potsdam.de) using the Ref. No. given above.