Max Planck Research Group Leader (m/f/div) in Crime Research Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and Law

The Department of Criminology at the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and Law, in Freiburg i.Br., Germany (Director: Prof. Dr. Dr. Jean-Louis van Gelder) is seeking applications for a

Max Planck Research Group Leader (m/f/div) in Crime Research

(W2; associate professor level)

Description

The Department of Criminology has an interdisciplinary focus and pushes the boundaries of crime research through the application of innovative methods, theory development, and real-world application. The research of the department seeks to understand the causes and consequences of criminal conduct as well as to develop effective interventions combatting crime and facilitating offender rehabilitation. We are looking for a social/behavioral scientist with a strong quantitative background, an interest in innovative methods (e.g., virtual reality, experiments, ABM, computational science), and an affinity with crime research. The Max Planck Research Group Leader will work together with the Director and other researchers in the department to further develop the broad research agenda of the department on one or more of the department’s three core areas of interest: theory development, innovative approaches, and application.

Your profile

• you have a PhD in psychology, (empirical) criminology, sociology, communication science, computational social science; or a related discipline;
• you have a highly collaborative attitude and value team work, enhancing the work of others, and supporting (junior) scientists;
• you have a strong publication record (with a focus on quality, rather than quantity);
• you have a clear and demonstrable interest in crime research and novel methods;
• you have experience supervising PhD students and leading (small) research teams;
• you have a very strong background in statistics and/or measurement;
• you have excellent social and communication skills;
• you are committed to transparent research practices;

Our offer

The Institute offers excellent facilities for professional and personal development, a highly international and dynamic environment, and is located in a beautiful city with a vibrant student life set in spectacular green surroundings. The Department of Criminology is highly interdisciplinary research environment that includes psychologists, sociologists, mathematicians, criminologists, and a computer scientist. The department’s research lab, including state of the art VR equipment, will be initiated later this year.

The Department will provide a competitive package with funds (100k per annum) for postdocs, PhD students and equipment. Successful candidates are given the opportunity to develop their own research program in an interactive and highly cross-disciplinary environment.

The appointment of the group leader is for 5 years with the possibility of extension for 2 years, depending on a successful evaluation. In exceptional cases, the position may be converted into a permanent position. The salary is based on remuneration group W2 Federal Civil Service Remuneration Act.

The Max Planck Society is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from disabled persons. It also aims to increase the percentage of female researchers in fields in which they are underrepresented and therefore also expressly encourages women to apply. The Max Planck Society strives to ensure diversity and encourages applications from all backgrounds. We are thus committed to the reconciliation of family and career and can offer flexible working arrangements. There are a limited number of daycare spots at a nearby childcare facility that are available to the children of institute employees.

Information and Application

To apply, submit your application including your dissertation, the three publications you consider your best, a description of the project you plan for the research group on max. 5 pages, CV, and transcripts online. The deadline for application is June 30, 2021.

The preferred starting date is 1 January 2022 or earlier.

For more information you can contact Prof. Dr. Jean-Louis van Gelder (j.vangelder@csl.mpg.de).