Stellenticket Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

The Berlin Social Science Centre (WZB) is seeking three student assistants at the Center for Civil Society Research starting on 1 December 2026 for an initial period until 30 September 2027 (with the possibility of extension) with a weekly working time of 10-15 hours.

We are looking for student assistants in three different focal areas. Please specify in your application for which position you are applying and focus your letter of motivation on the specific project.

The WZB is the leading social science research institute in Germany and stands among the world’s most renowned institutes in this field. At the WZB, researchers from around the world with diverse methodological and disciplinary backgrounds—including sociology, political science, economics, and law—conduct research. They engage in problem-oriented basic research that addresses major societal challenges. The research is theory-driven, practice-oriented, often long-term, and internationally comparative. At the same time, the WZB promotes the exchange between research and society in various formats.

The WZB is a nonprofit limited liability company (GmbH) and a member of the Leibniz Association. It is funded by the Federal Republic of Germany and the State of Berlin.

Position 1: Manifesto Project

The Manifesto Project collects and analyses parties’ election manifestos using comparative content analysis. With the support of country experts the project analyses manifesto from over 60 countries, spanning from 1945 to the present. The project team coordinates the data generation and the data analysis. It works with a complex technical infrastructure that is continuously developed. The project’s main goal is to provide the scientific community with a large text corpus of party manifestos, and dataset of policy positions derived from the these manifestos.

Tasks

• support of the team in written communication with the country experts and the preparation of work contracts
• administrative and organisational preparation of workshops and conferences
• support in the processing of election programs and content analytical data

• enrollment in a degree program in political science or a related social science, at least in the third semester of a BA program or enrolled in an MA
• strong interest in comparative research on parties, elections and democracy
• very good command of English and German
• ability to work independently

Preferred Qualifications

• proficiency in statistical software (e.g., R or Stata)
• experience with LaTeX
• experience in organizational and coordination tasks
• knowledge of additional foreign languages

• remuneration according to the TdL guidelines (currently €15.20 per hour without a Bachelor's degree - and €15.81 per hour with a Bachelor's degree)
• a well-equipped workplace in the center of Berlin
• international, cooperative, and diversified working environment
• in-depth integration into the scientific community in the form of colloquiums and conferences
• thorough instruction and guidance
• flexible working hours and the possibility of mobile working (at least 20% of the weekly working hours - agreed in the contract)
• we promote a good work-life balance
• discounted leisure and recreation opportunities with a membership in Sozialwerk.Bund
• counselling and support services for WZB employees in difficult life situations

Please clearly indicate in your cover letter which position you are applying for (‘Manifesto Project’, ‘PALS’ or ‘Knowledge Exchange’). Applicants are welcome to apply for several positions, but please specify a preference. A full application includes a letter of motivation, your CV, the latest university transcripts, and, if available, a letter of reference from an academic or professional supervisor.

Applicants must be currently enrolled at a university and based in the Berlin-Brandenburg region, as these positions cannot be performed fully remotely.

We value diversity and welcome all applications, irrespective of gender, nationality, ethnic or social origin, religion, disability, age, or sexual orientation. The WZB expressly encourages women and people with migration backgrounds to apply.

Equally qualified applicants with disabilities will be given preference.

If you have any questions regarding the job opening, please contact the assistant's office (+49 30 25491 -354/-327).

Further information on the Centre for Civil Society Research is available at
https://www.wzb.eu/en/research/dynamics-of-political-systems/center-for-civil-society-research

Further information on the Manifesto Project is available at https://www.wzb.eu/en/research/dynamics-of-political-systems/center-for-civil-society-research/projects/the-manifesto-project

Further information about the WZB is available at www.wzb.eu.

Have we caught your interest? Then we look forward to receiving your online application (cover letter, CV, certificates/transcripts, references if applicable) by 14th of October 2026. Job interviews are expected to take place in the week of 26th of October 2026.