Data Analyst in Collaborative Research Project (Political Science) with China focus (m/f/d)

Constructor University (formerly Jacobs University) is a private, state-accredited, English-language university in Bremen. We offer Bachelor, Master, and PhD programs in three schools: School of Science, School of Computer Science and Engineering, and School of Business, Social and Decision Sciences. Our principles are first-class teaching and research, international diversity, and transdisciplinary cooperation. According to the 2024 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, Constructor University is among the top 25 percent out of more than 1900 universities worldwide and is ranked as the second most international university in the world. As an international university, we attract highly talented and open-minded students from all over the world. Currently, over 1,600 students from 110 nations live and study on our residential campus.

Constructor University invites applications from interested candidates for the following position, to be ideally filled in October 2026:

Data Analyst in Collaborative Research Project (Political Science) with China focus (m/f/d)

(E9-E12, 30 months, 100%)

The position is part of the Research Unit „Learning Empire. Autonomy, Dependence, and China’s Emerging Imperial Practices”, a large-scale effort to study China's changing international practices under the conditions of a world order in transition, funded by the German Research Foundation DFG. The Research Unit FOR 5913/1 (www.learning-empire.com), coordinated at Constructor University, includes eight projects across leading German universities and research institutions and supports early-career researchers. The data analyst plays a crucial role in supporting the Unit‘s objectives by leveraging advanced data collection and analysis, data visualization, and data management skills.

Overview:

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate with experience in social science-based data analysis to join the research unit “Learning Empire”. Key tasks are, first, Data Collection for several research projects of FOR 5913/1 through web scraping/crawling to gather datasets from online sources, ensuring comprehensive data inputs for analysis and interpretation. The data analyst will be responsible for creating, curating, and standardizing these datasets, using novel AI tools. Attention will be given to preparing datasets for established social sciences repositories, facilitating data sharing and large-scale reuse. Second, the analyst will lead on Data Visualization, e.g. maps to represent diverse datasets, enabling clear interpretation of patterns. Creating compelling infographics will also be a core activity, translating complex data into accessible formats suitable for science communication. Moreover, the analyst will use the project website to showcase data, visualizations, and research outputs. Third, the analyst will support the Development of Data Management Skills. This involves training members of FOR 5913/1 in essential data management skills. The project offers the opportunity to undertake secondments at other social sciences institutions, thereby enabling collaboration with experienced data science departments (e.g. Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik).

Your Responsibilities:

• Support social science-based data collection for FOR 5913/1 projects

• Lead on data visualization for all projects, thereby enabling the dissemination of findings

• Support the development of data management skills

• Engage actively in the intellectual life of the Research Unit “Learning Empire”

Your Profile:

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Data Science, Computational Social Science, or related field

• Experience in social science-based data analysis and the usage of novel AI tools

• Proven expertise in data visualization, network analysis, and data management, and strong skills in web scraping/web crawling, preprocessing, and standardization techniques

• Experience in LLMs, AI-supported qualitative analysis, and/or vibe coding preferred

• Experience working with data repositories such as GESIS and GitHub

• Excellent communication skills for training purposes and collaboration

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a diverse research environment

• Excellent knowledge of English (applicants also fluent in Mandarin Chinese are preferred)

• A strong motivation to work in a collaborative, interdisciplinary social science research environment

What you can expect at Constructor University:

We are an international, world-class private university embarking on an exciting journey of growth and expanding our portfolio. Join us and become a part of our global teams!

• We are an international, world-class private university embarking on an exciting journey of growth and expanding our portfolio. Join us and become a part of our global teams!

• The result counts: trust working hours for work-life balance

• Individual on-boarding, career- and development planning

• Company fitness program offers with EGYM Well Pass (formerly Qualitrain)

• In collaboration with Deutsche Dienstrad – Lease a company bike, whether it's a bicycle, road bike, or e-bike, for both private and business use.

• 30 days of annual leave, plus additional days off for special occasions

• Green campus with extensive dining options and recreation areas, take the tour: Campus

• Constructor University has extensive programs on sustainability, environmental sustainability, equal opportunities and high ethical values

Constructor University unequivocally guarantees the academic freedom of every member of the faculty, as well as every other member of the Constructor University community. We encourage diversity in the University in ethnic, cultural, social, religious, political, and national backgrounds, as well as in individual lifestyle. Constructor University offers full equality of opportunity to all qualified applicants and is an equal opportunity employer.

Your Application: 

For any further information regarding this position, please contact Prof. Dr. Tobias ten Brink via Mail (ttenbrink@constructor.university).

For your application, please upload a single PDF file (NameSurname.pdf) including:

• A cover letter, including your motivation (max 1500 words)

• A curriculum vitae, including proof of C1-level English language skills or the equivalent

• Copies of your academic degrees and transcripts

Apply today - it's simple and uncomplicated. We look forward to getting to know you.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to online or in-person interviews.

Deadline for Applications is June 26, 2026.