Eurograd message

                The Professorship of Science & Technology Policy (Prof. Dr. Ruth 
Müller), based at the Munich Center for Technology in Society (MCTS), 
Technical University of Munich, announces *two* *open positions for a 
doctoral researcher in Science & Technology Studies (STS) *(TV-L E13, 
65%, 3 years) *as well as one open position for a postdoctoral 
researcher* (TV-L E13, 100%, 4 years). The positions are announced in 
three different research projects (see descriptions below). All 
positions start on Oct 1, 2021.

*About us*

The research group “Science & Technology Policy” (STP) at MCTS explores 
the interactions between science, technology, society and policy, with a 
distinct focus on the social studies of the life sciences and 
biomedicine. The group is based at the MCTS, an interdisciplinary 
research center in Science and Technology Studies (STS). As of October 
2021, the MCTS will transform into the Department of Science, Technology 
& Society at the newly founded TUM School of Social Sciences & 
Technology. The MCTS – and the future STS Department – is home to about 
60 researchers in STS and two international MA programs (MA Science & 
Technology Studies and MA Responsibility in Science, Engineering and 
Technology), as well as a hub for international guest researchers in STS.

**

*About the research projects*

We are seeking researchers to join our team in three projects that will 
start on Oct 1 2021:

1) A doctoral researcher in the project “De- and Restabilizing Evidence 
in the Corona Crisis” funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). 
The project is part of the DFG research group “Practicing Evidence – 
Evidencing Practice” and explores processes of creating, communicating 
and negotiating scientific evidence during the Covid-19 pandemic. The 
project at the chair of STP will focus specifically on how researchers 
in virology and epidemiology have been dealing with the uncertain and 
ever evolving character of evidence during the pandemic and how this has 
been affecting their work and communication practices. Due to its 
specific focus on the German research community, German language skills 
are beneficial for this position.

2) A doctoral researcher in the project “Responsible Innovation 
Communication in AI Research” funded by the TUM-IAS. This project is a 
cooperation with Prof. Dr. Maja Horst (DTU Copenhagen). It will explore 
what it might mean to consider communication as a key element of 
responsible research and innovation, focusing specifically on 
representations of AI research and researchers in public discourse in 
Germany and on the role scientists play in generating and responding to 
public narratives. Due to its specific focus on German public 
communication about AI, German language are beneficial for this 
position. For further information see: 
https://www.ias.tum.de/research-areas/political-social-and-technological-change/responsible-innovation-communication 


3) A postdoctoral researcher in the interdisciplinary TUM Innovation 
Network “Neurotechnology in Mental Health”. Together with colleagues in 
medicine, neuroscience, AI and medical ethics, this project explores the 
potentials of neuromodulation technologies to treat chronic pain, 
depression and cognitive disorders. The project follows an embedded 
ethics & social science approach, i.e., an STS researcher and a medical 
ethicist will be part of the project from the starts, analyzing and 
addressing social, ethical and political issues as they arise. This 
includes bringing in the perspectives and needs of patients and medical 
staff who might work with these technologies in the future through 
co-creative approaches. The project is conducted in particularly close 
collaboration with the TUM Chair for Ethics in Medicine and Health 
Technologies (Prof. Dr. Alena Buyx). For further information see: 
https://www.tum.de/en/research/research-centers/innovation-networks/ 


*Your tasks as a doctoral researcher*

As a doctoral researcher, you will work as part of a project team. Your 
tasks will include empirical research and data analysis, preparation of 
results for publication, presentation of results at (international) 
academic meetings, contributions to the teaching portfolio of the group 
and support for organizing project-related academic events. You will 
develop an innovative research question for your PhD thesis as part of 
the project and in collaboration with the project leader, Prof. Ruth 
Müller. You will regularly meet with your supervisor to discuss and 
support the progress of your thesis. Beyond the project, you will be 
part of the Science & Technology Policy research group at and the lively 
research community at the STS department more generally. You will 
actively participate in the academic life of the group and the 
department, which both regularly host international guest researchers 
and academic events. As a PhD student at TU Munich, you will be enrolled 
in the TUM Graduate School, which provides a structured PhD program and 
offers a rich program of courses in academic and transferable skills.

Applicants should hold a Master’s degree in the social sciences, 
humanities, or the life sciences. Familiarity with STS concepts and 
experience with qualitative social science research methods is highly 
desirable. You should be interested in working across the disciplines 
and in engaging with other knowledge cultures. You should further be 
capable of and interested in working both as part of a team and 
independently. Fluency in English is essential for the academic life at 
the center. We are looking for inspired and inspiring new talents who 
want to work in and contribute to an exciting, interdisciplinary STS 
research environment.

*Your tasks as postdoctoral researcher*

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will work as part of the project team, 
together with Prof. Dr. Ruth Müller. Your tasks will include empirical 
research and data analysis, presentation of results at international 
academic meetings and in international academic journals, contributions 
to the teaching portfolio of the group and the organization of 
research-related academic events. Beyond the project, you will be part 
of the Science & Technology Policy research group and the lively STS 
research community at the STS department more generally. You will 
actively participate in the academic life of the group and the 
department, which both regularly host international guest researchers 
and academic events.

Applicants should hold a PhD in STS or related social science research 
fields. A successful candidate will be familiar with STS concepts and 
theories; experienced in qualitative social science research methods; 
interested in working in an interdisciplinary, collaborative research 
environment and in engaging with other knowledge cultures; able to work 
independently and as part of a team; and capable of both rigorous and 
creative academic work. English language skills at a high level of 
quality are essential for the position and for academic life at the STS 
department in general. We are looking for inspired and inspiring new 
talents who want to work in and contribute to an exciting, 
interdisciplinary STS research environment.

*Application documents*

Your complete application documents must include your CV, your 
Master’s/PhD degree certificates, a letter of motivation (max. 2 pages), 
1-2 writing samples (e.g., thesis chapters, articles, etc.), and names 
and contact details of 2 references, including a brief statement 
explaining your relationship to each of the named references.

It is possible to apply for one or both PhD positions. In case you want 
to apply for both, please send two letters of motivation explaining your 
specific interest in each project and how your skills will contribute to 
the project’s success.

**

*Interested? *

Please send your *complete application* as a single pdf document to 
*applications.stp@mcts.tum.de*. We will accept and review all 
applications received up until and including *Monday, July 12, 2021*. 
Interviews will be conducted shortly after the application deadline, in 
person or via a video conferencing tool.

We are committed to raising the number of women and gender-non-binary 
individuals in research and teaching, who are especially encouraged to 
apply. Applicants with disabilities are treated with preference given 
comparable qualification.

If you have questions about the application procedure, please contact 
*applications.stp@mcts.tum.de. *If you have content-related questions, 
please contact *ruth.mueller@tum.de* and *cansu.guner@tum.de*.

-- 
Dr. Michael Penkler
Senior Lecturer (Akademischer Rat)
(he/him)

Technical University of Munich
Munich Center for Technology in Society

Master's Program "Responsibility in Science, Engineering and Technology" (RESET)
Science and Technology Policy Research Group

Augustenstraße 46
80333 München, Germany

+49 (89) 289 - 29228
http://www.mcts.tum.de

I have sent this email at a time that suits my work flow. I do not expect answers outside of normal office hours.

[demime 1.01d removed an attachment of type application/pdf which had a name of PhD & Postdoc positions STP STS Dep June 2021.pdf]
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