Postdoctoral Researcher in Democratic Persuasion and Political Psychology – Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München – Germany

Summary

The Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München invites applications for a full-time, fixed‑term postdoctoral researcher in Democratic Persuasion and Political Psychology. The position, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), runs from January 2027 until October 31, 2028 (about 22 months) and offers a TV‑L E13 salary. The role is based in the Digitalization and Political Behavior unit of the Geschwister‑Scholl‑Institute for Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, and focuses on experimental and AI‑assisted methods to strengthen democratic support. Candidates will design and conduct survey experiments, develop AI‑driven persuasive conversations, and implement framed field experiments in collaboration with civil‑society partners. The appointment emphasizes research independence, mentorship, and open‑science practices.

Key Facts

Department	Geschwister-Scholl-Institute for Political Science
Position Type	Full-time Fixed-term Postdoctoral Research Position
Discipline	Political Science
Research Area	Democratic Persuasion, Field Experiments, Survey Experiments, AI-Assisted Interventions
Salary	TV-L E 13 (100%)
Funding	Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG – German Research Foundation)
Contract Duration	Until October 31, 2028 (approximately 22 months from January 2027 start)

About the Project

The project "Democratic Persuasion: How to Make the Case for Democracy" investigates why citizens become skeptical of democracy and which communicative strategies can restore support. Using large‑scale online survey experiments, AI‑driven conversational tools, and framed field experiments with Socratic probing, the research aims to identify effective messages, understand individual receptivity, and develop evidence‑based interventions to strengthen democratic resilience. The work combines political psychology theory with computational methods to generate actionable insights for academia and civil society.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement large‑scale online survey experiments
• Develop AI‑assisted persuasive conversation systems using large language models
• Conduct framed field experiments with Socratic probing in real‑world settings
• Analyze experimental data and assess heterogeneous treatment effects
• Collaborate with civil‑society organizations and interdisciplinary research team
• Disseminate findings through publications and open‑science platforms

Required Skills

• Experience with survey and field experiment design
• Knowledge of AI and large language model applications
• Computational social science and data analysis skills
• Background in political psychology and democratic theory
• Proficiency in experimental methodology and causal inference
• Ability to work collaboratively across disciplines

Who Should Apply

Researchers with a strong background in political science, political psychology, or computational social science who have experience in experimental design, survey methods, and AI‑assisted interventions. Applicants should be capable of leading independent research, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, and engaging with civil‑society partners on democratic persuasion projects.

About the Employer

Ludwig‑Maximilians‑Universität München (LMU) is a historic German university founded in 1472, described as one of Europe’s leading research institutions with a strong international reputation. The Faculty of Social Sciences and the Geschwister‑Scholl‑Institute for Political Science are highlighted for excellence in research, interdisciplinary approaches, and a commitment to democratic values and societal impact.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the contract duration?

The contract runs until October 31, 2028 (approximately 22 months from a January 2027 start).

What salary grade is offered?

The position is paid at TV‑L E13 (100%).

Which organization funds the position?

Funding is provided by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG – German Research Foundation).