Max Planck Göttingen Fellowship 2026: Postdoc in Political Institutions and Conflict
Are you a political scientist ready to tackle global challenges like conflict and democratic erosion? The Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science in Göttingen Fellowship 2026 offers a prime chance for postdoctoral researchers. This position focuses on key issues in political institutions and conflict, especially in the Global South.
About the Institute and Department
The Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science in Göttingen leads interdisciplinary research on social and political changes. Its work targets conflict, inequality, threats to democracy, and social shifts. The new Department of Political Institutions and Conflict, headed by Ursula Daxecker, drives this fellowship.
This department explores how political institutions link to conflict in broad terms. It uses advanced methods to study real-world problems. Researchers here aim to shed light on rising violence, election issues, and weakening democracies.
Key Research Themes
The department centers on three main areas. First, institutions and political violence looks at how rules and systems affect fights and unrest. Second, democratic politics in transformation examines changes in how democracies work amid pressures.
Third, the political economy of electoral integrity studies money, power, and fairness in elections. The focus stays on the Global South, like South Asia and West Africa. Teams mix quantitative tools, such as surveys and data analysis, with qualitative work like fieldwork and interviews.
Main Tasks and Responsibilities
Fellows will lead high-quality research that fits the department’s goals. You will write academic articles alongside team members. Fieldwork and interviews in key locations form a core part of the role.
Expect to help recruit PhD students and junior researchers. You will co-supervise and mentor them on projects. Administrative duties include organizing workshops, managing data, and sharing findings with wider audiences.
Full involvement in the department’s environment is key. That means regular presence at the institute in Göttingen. Fellows must live close enough for daily commuting.
Essential Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, you need a PhD or equivalent in Political Science by the start date. Show an excellent publication record in top international journals, or clear potential for it. Interest in the department’s themes is a must, plus a drive to build expertise in new areas.
Strong skills in quantitative methods are required. This includes panel regression, handling large administrative data, survey analysis, and programming in tools like Stata or R. Excellent English communication skills, both spoken and written, are essential.
You should value academic integrity and transparency. Independent thinking and teamwork in diverse groups round out the basics. Critical analysis skills help you thrive.
Desirable Qualifications
Extra strengths can boost your application. Knowledge of causal inference methods stands out. Expertise in Global South regions, such as South Asia or West Africa, aligns well with the focus.
Language skills like Hindi or Bengali aid fieldwork. Experience with event data collection, coding, and analysis is a plus. Past work in fieldwork and qualitative interviews shows readiness for the role.
How to Apply
Submit one PDF file with all materials by the deadline. Include your CV with a full publication list. Add a two-page cover letter on your fit with the department’s mission.
Write a two-page research proposal tied to the themes. List three referees with contact details; the team may reach out. Provide one published article or writing sample. For co-authored work, note your specific contribution.
Apply through the official portal. For details, check the Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science in Göttingen Fellowship page.
Important Deadline
Applications close on Sunday, May 3, 2026. Start preparing early to meet all requirements. This fellowship offers a chance to shape research on urgent global issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the focus of the Max Planck Institute Göttingen Fellowship 2026?
The fellowship targets postdoctoral research on political institutions and conflict, especially in the Global South, covering themes like political violence, democratic changes, and electoral integrity.
What are the essential eligibility criteria for the fellowship?
You need a PhD in Political Science, strong quantitative skills in methods like regression and Stata or R, excellent publications or potential, and good English communication.
What tasks will fellows handle?
Fellows lead research, write articles, do fieldwork, mentor PhD students, organize workshops, and engage fully in the department in Göttingen.
How do you apply for the fellowship?
Submit one PDF with CV, cover letter, research proposal, referees, and a writing sample via the official portal by May 3, 2026.