1 PhD Position at the Department of Science, Technology & Society, TUM School of Social Sciences and Technology bei Technische Universität München

The Professorship of Science & Technology Policy (Prof. Dr. Ruth Müller), based at the Department of STS at the Technical University of Munich, announces an open position for a doctoral researcher (TV-L E13, 75%, 4 years) in Science & Technology Studies. The doctoral position is offered within a research consortium funded by the StMWK (Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wissenschaft und Kunst). The position is to start in January or February 2024. Application deadline: Oct 31, 2023.

About the research group

The research group “Science & Technology Policy” (STP) 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 STS Department, an interdisciplinary research center in Science and Technology Studies at the TUM School of Social Sciences & Technology. The STS Department is home to roughly 60 researchers and two international MA programs (MA Science & Technology Studies and MA Responsibility in Science, Engineering and Technology). As a vibrant hub for STS research in Germany, it offers a highly stimulating and internationally well-connected work environment for aspiring scholars in science studies.

About the research project

The project “Early Life Adversity, Epigenetik & Elternschaft: Neue familiale Verantwortungen“ is part of the StMWK-funded interdisciplinary research consortium “Familienleben in Bayern – empirische Einsichten zu Transformationen, Ressourcen und Aushandlungen” (ForFamily), which explores heterogeneous structures of family realities in Bavaria. The project at the chair of STP (lead: Prof. Dr. Ruth Müller, co-lead: Dr. Georgia Samaras) will focus specifically on analyzing the scientific and societal discourses on the long-term health effects of adverse childhood experiences – a topic that has increasingly been the subject of biomedical research in recent years. Using a mix of social-science methods, such as media analysis, interviews with researchers, and focus groups with parents, we will examine how family is conceptualized and positioned in the discourse on the health consequences of adverse childhood experiences and what notions of family responsibility for health emerge. The project aims to intervene in the discourse and critically examine and co-creatively re-conceptualize the relationship between family, childhood experiences, and health, particularly with regard to issues of social justice.

Your task 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 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 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.

Who can apply?

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 engaging with other knowledge cultures. You should be capable of and interested in working as part of a team and independently. Fluency in English is essential for academic life at the center. Due to the project’s special focus on Bavaria, German language skills are mandatory for this position. We seek 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 degree certificates, a letter of motivation (max. 2 pages), 1-2 writing samples (e.g., MA 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.

Interested?

Please send your complete application as a single pdf document to applications.stp@sot.tum.de. We will accept and revi