Funding opportunities of TRA 4 'Individuals & Societies'

The Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn is an internationally operating research university with a wide range of subjects. Over 200 years of history, around 38,000 students, more than 6,000 employees and an excellent reputation at home and abroad: The University of Bonn is one of the most important universities in Germany and has been recognized as a university of excellence.

The research project “The mid- and long-term consequences of the Ahr valley flood from a social scientific point of view: a multimethod approach of data collection and an interdisciplinary analysis” starts on June 1st, 2024 as part of funding from the Transdisciplinary Research Area “Individuals and Societies” (TRA 4). As new innovation-promoting organizational structures, the TRAs align university research with key scientific, technological and social topics of the future. They serve as creative and exploratory platforms on which subjects and faculties connect on a topic-oriented basis and coordinate their strategic development.

It is a joint project of Bonn researchers from the fields of geography, economics, law, sociology and political sciencej, which aims to provide the necessary scientific expertise for a sustainable social and political orientation of the reconstruction and recovery processes in the Ahr Valley through extensive social science data collection and application-oriented analyses .

As part of this project, a student or research assistant (SHK/WHF) (15 hours per week) will be hired from July 1st, 2024 until December 31st, 2025 to support the preparation, implementation and follow-up of participatory workshops as well as public relations and networking activities for the Population survey.

The Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn is an internationally operating research university with a wide range of subjects. Over 200 years of history, around 38,000 students, more than 6,000 employees and an excellent reputation at home and abroad: The University of Bonn is one of the most important universities in Germany and has been recognized as a university of excellence.

The research project “The mid- and long-term consequences of the Ahr valley flood from a social scientific point of view: a multimethod approach of data collection and an interdisciplinary analysis” starts on June 1st, 2024 as part of funding from the Transdisciplinary Research Area “Individuals and Societies” (TRA 4). As new innovation-promoting organizational structures, the TRAs align university research with key scientific, technological and social topics of the future. They serve as creative and exploratory platforms on which subjects and faculties connect on a topic-oriented basis and coordinate their strategic development.

It is a joint project of Bonn researchers from the fields of geography, economics, law, sociology and political sciencej, which aims to provide the necessary scientific expertise for a sustainable social and political orientation of the reconstruction and recovery processes in the Ahr Valley through extensive social science data

As part of this project, a student or research assistant (SHK/WHF) will be hired from July 1st, 2024 until June 30th, 2025 (8 hours per week)  to support the creation, design and testing of the population survey.

Your tasks:

• Sorting and compression of the given variables
• Operationalization of these variables (based, among other things, on in-depth literature research)
• Planning and conducting cognitive pretests
• ongoing revision of the questionnaire based on pretest results and
Feedback from the project team
• If necessary, support in the implementation of participatory workshops

Your profile:

• Enrollment at a university in a master's degree program
(Bachelor students can apply when starting their Master's degree
by the winter semester 2024/2025 at the latest)
• Proven methodological competence in the field of empirical social research
(from the bachelor's degree, the master's degree or relevant professional
Activities)
• Interest in independent and project-oriented work
• Enjoy careful detailed work and quantitative research methods
• Commitment, time flexibility and identification with the project goals

We offer:

• a demanding substantive activity in an interdisciplinary research project
• a friendly and helpful team with a pleasant working atmosphere
• largely flexible working hours
• Remuneration as WHF according to the current tariff: €14.36 per hour (from October 1st: €15.15);
If applicable, according to the SHK tariff until September 30th: €13.25 per hour

The Transdisciplinary Research Area TRA 4 is looking for a Research Associate (50%) for a limited period of 36 months.

The new Heinrich Hertz Professorship of the Transdisciplinary Research Area TRA 4: Individuals, Institutions and Societies will focus on life and the conditions for its development and success. At a newly emerging "Center for Life Ethics," related ethical aspects will be explored in an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary manner.

Your tasks:
- Project coordination and implementation of the research project "CARE" on ethical, legal and social aspects of technology-assisted prediction of mental illness,
- Development of ethical frameworks for responsible use of predictive technologies and good communication of individual risks,
- Participation in the development, ethical monitoring and evaluation of digital applications in a project network with other universities and practice partners,
- Opportunity for individual further qualification (e.g. PhD) will be given.

Your profile:
- Completed university studies in philosophy, law, medicine, computer science, sociology, communication sciences or a comparable subject related to the research topic,
- Well above average degree and ideally a completed or intended doctorate in the above subjects,
- Ability to conduct ethical analyses, literature reviews, etc., and ideally to evaluate digital applications,
- Previous academic work in the field of digitization research is an advantage,
- Strong ability to work in an interdisciplinary manner,
- Above-average commitment and ability to work in a team,
- Above-average communication skills,
- Very good command of English.

We offer:
- an interdisciplinary and inspiring team of highly motivated employees*,
- a varied and challenging job with one of the largest employers in the region, giving you freedom to conduct your own research,
- a research-oriented environment as well as an inspiring and motivating working atmosphere,
- company pension scheme (VBL),
- numerous offers of university sports,
- very good transport connections and the opportunity to purchase a VRS bulk customer ticket or to use inexpensive parking facilities,
- remuneration according to pay group 13 TV-L.

The Transdisciplinary Research Unit TRA 4 is looking for a research assistant to support us in the challenging tasks at the earliest possible date, limited for 36 months. The position is full- or part-time. It is initially limited to 36 months with the possibility of extension.

The research, teaching, and consulting of the new Heinrich Hertz Professorship of the Transdisciplinary Research Area TRA 4: Individuals, Institutions, and Societies focuses on life and the conditions for its unfolding and success. In particular, the four dynamics of technologization, economization, ecologization, and globalization place individual and social life under great pressure to adapt, change, and shape. At a newly emerging "Center for Life Ethics", these four dynamics and the related ethical aspects will be researched in a transdisciplinary way.

Your tasks:
- Co-design of the newly emerging interdisciplinary Center for Life Ethics and its scientific orientation, development and establishment in the area of the research focus on globalization.
- Joint development of research projects and projects for mediation, participation and consultation
- Coordination and implementation of interdisciplinary research projects
- Establishment of international cooperation on the research focus globalization in research and teaching
- Cooperation with other universities, practice partners and the public in various participation and transfer formats
- Teaching responsibilities amounting to 4 semester hours per week

Your profile:
- Completed university studies in philosophy, law, medicine, computer science, sociology or a comparable subject related to the research topic.
- Master's degree or state examination well above average as well as ideally a completed or intended doctorate in the above-mentioned subjects
- Proven interest in philosophical, social or political science issues as well as a strong ability to work in an interdisciplinary manner, ideally demonstrated by preliminary scientific work
- Ideally, ability to conduct ethical analyses and empirical studies
- Above-average commitment and ability to work in a team
- Above-average communication skills
- Very good command of English

We offer:
- an interdisciplinary and inspiring team of highly motivated colleagues*.
- a varied and challenging job with one of the largest employers in the region, which gives you the freedom to conduct your own research
- a research-oriented environment as well as an inspiring and motivating working atmosphere
- the opportunity for individual further qualification and participation in university self-administration
- company pension scheme (VBL),
- numerous offers of university sports,
- excellent transport links and the opportunity to purchase a VRS public transport ticket or to use low-cost parking facilities,
- remuneration according to pay group 13 TV-L.