Fully Funded Postdoctoral Fellowship in Political Science at Max Planck Institute Germany 2026

Are you an early-career political scientist ready to tackle global challenges like political violence and democratic change? The Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science in Göttingen, Germany, offers a fully funded postdoctoral fellowship in political science in Germany 2026. This three-year position lets you dive into data-driven research on political institutions and conflict.

Overview of the Fellowship

This role sits in the institute’s new Department of Political Institutions and Conflict. The Max Planck Society runs the institute, and it stands out for top research and teamwork across fields. The job targets scholars who want to study how institutions affect fights over power and democracy, especially in the Global South.

The position runs full-time for three years. You will build your own research path while working with others. Expect a focus on real-world problems like violence in politics and fair elections.

Research Focus Areas

The department builds its work around three main ideas:

Institutions and political violence: Look at how rules and groups spark or stop fights.
Democratic politics in transformation: Track changes in how democracies work or break down.
Political economy of electoral integrity: Study money, power, and honesty in votes.

You will use numbers and stories to explore these. Key methods include surveys, cause-and-effect stats from observations, trips to study sites, and checks of records or events.

Key Responsibilities

In this job, you will handle several tasks to push research forward:

Do your own work and team up on projects that fit the department’s goals.
Write papers with other members for journals.
Travel for field studies and talk to people there.
Help hire and guide PhD students.
Take part in events like workshops and share results widely.
Keep data organized and meet project needs.
Show up often at the institute in Göttingen. You must live close enough to drive or take a short train.

These duties help create a lively research space.

Required Qualifications

To apply, you need:

A PhD in political science or a close field, finished before the job starts.
Papers in good journals or signs you can publish well soon.
Interest in the department’s topics.
Skills in number work, such as:
Panel data regressions.
Big sets of government records.
Survey stats.
Coding in R or Stata.
Strong English for writing and speaking.
Sharp thinking and the ability to work alone or in groups.
Honesty in research and open methods.

Desirable Qualifications

These skills make your application stand out:

Knowledge of ways to find true causes in data.
Experience in places like West Africa or South Asia.
Extra languages, such as Hindi or Bengali, for study areas.
Practice with event logs, from gathering to number checks.
Time in the field doing talks or deep studies.

Benefits of the Position

The package supports your growth:

Three years full-time with pay under Germany’s public rules (TVöD Bund, EG 13). It matches your experience.
Top tools and networks at a world-class site.
Teamwork across fields and links abroad.
No must-teach time, so focus on research. You can teach if you want.
Home near Göttingen for daily work.

Women and people with disabilities get strong encouragement to apply. All countries welcome.

Application Requirements

Send one PDF with:

Your CV and full list of papers.
A two-page letter on your interests and fit.
A two-page plan for research on department themes.
Names and contacts for three people who know your work.
One sample write-up, like a paper. Note your role if with others.

Full files only. No extras.

Apply at this link. More details here.

Important Dates

Last day to apply: May 3, 2026.
Remote talks: June 11-12, 2026.
Start: September 1, 2026, or sooner by agreement.

This chance lets you shape key studies on politics and build your career at a leading spot. Check your fit and prepare your materials soon.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the duration and start date of the fellowship?

The position is full-time for three years and starts on September 1, 2026, or earlier by agreement.

What are the main research focus areas?

The focus includes institutions and political violence, democratic politics in transformation, and the political economy of electoral integrity, especially in the Global South.

What qualifications are required to apply?

You need a PhD in political science or a related field, publications or publishing potential, quantitative skills like regressions and coding in R or Stata, and strong English skills.

What is the application deadline and how do I apply?

The deadline is May 3, 2026. Submit one PDF with your CV, cover letter, research plan, references, and a writing sample via the provided application link.