a research associate in the research department „Systems and Policies“ in Bonn bei Deutsches Institut für Erwachsenenbildung e V (DIE)

The German Institute for Adult Education - Leibniz Centre for Lifelong Learning (DIE) is the central institution for research and practice in adult and continuing education in Germany and a member of the Leibniz Association. The Institute links science, politics, and practice, supports them by providing data and information and carries out its own research and development work.

In the research department „Systems and Policies“, we are currently looking for

a research associate (m/f/d)

to join our office in Bonn and start on the 1st of October 2024 in the international comparative research project "Adult Learning and Education in Immigrant Settlement and Integration (ALE-in-ISI) Partnership". The position is part time (75%) and fixed-term (limited to three years), with a salary according to the German public sector (E13 TV-L). Willingness to undertake a PhD is expected.

The position is a collaborative project between the DIE and the University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada. The project is partially funded by the Canadian research funding organisation Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) as a "Partnership Development Grant“, and it addresses integration and adult learning policies for immigrants in Canada and Germany. The overall aim is to contribute to a better understanding of integration processes through adult learning and education (ALE), to generate transnational knowledge and to establish a research partnership (ALE-in-ISI Partnership) between the partners. The project will investigate the relationships between the provision, participation, and outcomes of adult learning programmes aiming at immigrants´ integration, taking into account the system in which such programmes, providers and participants are embedded. To this end, exploratory qualitative case studies will be conducted in four cities in Germany and Canada, which will be enhanced by quantitative analyses of administrative and survey data (e.g. Central Register of Foreigners, IAB-BAMF-SOEP surveys of refugees). The perspective of educators, learners and integration experts is crucial, so we apply a community-based partnership (CBP) approach and participatory research. For this aim, we will leverage the existing DIALOG network for knowledge transfer and innovation at DIE to establish a transnational discussion forum that connects practitioners, researchers, and policymakers. Ongoing and frequent communication in English and German with our project partners is required throughout the entire duration of the project.

Your tasks:

• Conduct empirical educational research on integration and migration issues in international
  comparison (Canada and Germany), in particular:
  
  • Review the state of research on adult education-related integration policies, their instruments, and addressees,
  • conduct and analyses expert and focus group interviews, participant observation, institutional analysis, and program analysis,
  • analyses quantitative data to evaluate the effectiveness of measures aiming at the integration of immigrants in Germany;
• contribute to the development and maintenance of collaborative relationships across partners from research and practice in Germany and Canada;
• present research findings at international conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals;
• knowledge mobilisation within the network and knowledge transfer into politics and
  practice.

Your profile:

• You should hold an above-average university degree (Master) preferably in education,
  in social or political sciences and demonstrate:
  
  • willingness to pursue a doctorate on this topic;
  • experience with quantitative and qualitative research methods, usage of relevant software tools, as well as the willingness to undergo further training on empirical research methodology;
  • interest in international-comparative research and in interdisciplinary cooperation;
  • ability to work cooperatively and to engage in participatory research;
  • very good command of the German and English language.
• The ideal candidate should also have knowledge of a) the German adult learning system and b) of the educational policy debate on the integration of immigrants, the current legal framework and funding instruments.

We offer:

• Collaboration in a social relevant and innovative research project and in the formation of a transnational network;
• opportunity to pursue a doctorate as part of the project;
• work in an inspiring, international academic environment;
• welcome culture with personal mentoring and a motivated team;
• flexible working hours and mobile working;
• company pension sch