Applied Data Scientist/PostDoc
(f/m/d)
for ifo focus area “Big Data Economics”
To strengthen our growing ifo-wide team working on “Big Data
Economics”, we are looking for a Data Scientist at the postdoc level for up to
six years, starting in June 2024 or at the earliest possible. She/he will
contribute to ifo’s main research topics with his/her independent research
applying a combination of state-of-the-art machine learning and causal inference
methods to innovative and unconventional data from various sources and of
various types (firm, text, images, administrative, etc.) answering policy
relevant economic questions.
Embedded into Munich’s vibrant research environment, the ifo Institute
strengthens its profile in the field of Big Data Economics: First, the research
data center (EBDC) manages financial and personnel resources to offer and
coordinate all necessary support (legal, IT, RDM, etc.) to the researchers
including collaborating in research projects. Second, several junior research
groups are installed to foster Big Data Economics within and across the ifo
departments. Third, the CESifo research network has newly launched the research
area “Economics of Digitization” and the Cluster “Economic Research with Firm
Data” that aims at developing economic research with unconventional data from
firms. Fourth, at the LMU colleagues from the department of economics, several
newly established AI professorships, and a large group of data scientists at the
statistics department contribute to the growing group of Big Data researchers.
In this stimulating and well-equipped environment, this position plays a pivotal
role. It involves initiating, conducting as well as guiding and supervising Big
Data research projects with and of other ifo researchers, the junior research
groups and external partners from academia and industry – with maximum support
from ifo’s infrastructure departments and ifo’s executive board. She/he
interacts with other researchers, gives methodological advice and organizes and
teaches courses on methods and applications. A doctoral student and several
research assistants provide support at the EBDC. Significant funding for data,
legal/IT/methodological expertise is provided.
We, the ifo Institute, are one of the leading economic research institutes in
Europe. We work on issues relevant to economics and economic policy at the
highest scientific level and with an international reach, and develop
research-based recommendations for action for policymakers, business and
society. Through our five fields of activity - research, promotion of young
researchers, policy advice, participation in public debates and
information/service - we contribute to maintaining and increasing sustainable
economic prosperity and social participation under constantly changing
conditions.
Do you want to know more about us and your career opportunities? Check us out at
https://www.ifo.de/en/about-us/ifo-career.
Your new job includes...
- collaboration in highly-motivated research teams and with interesting
industry partners on relevant economic questions.
- participation in highly innovative research projects.
- using and developing cutting edge methodology and infrastructure for working
with large data sets from firms, platforms etc.
- to adapt machine learning and causal inference techniques.
- developing expertise in managing large-scale empirical projects with several
partners.
- to work in a well-equipped research environment and actively shape it
further.
- to conduct scientific workshops and get in touch with renowned international
scholars through the CESifo research network.
- developing a teaching profile for Data Science courses.
The ideal candidate is preparing for a permanent academic position, for example a tenuretrack or tenured professorship in the field “Applied Data Science”. However, depending on the candidate’s profile, performance and interest, ifo supports in applying for funding a permanent position.
What we expect from your profile...
- You will have a wide range of skills and preparation and a strong desire to
quickly acquire missing skills and experience. Desirable skills and experience
include:
- A PhD in economics, statistics, or related fields
- Excellent coding skills in multiple languages (e.g. R, Python, SQL)
- Experience with large datasets and data bases
- Experience using HPC and cloud computing services such as GCP, AWS, Azure,
etc.
- Experience working with Github or similar tools for collaboration and
version control
- Experience supervising research/student assistants, interns or predocs
- Strong communication skills
- With excellent English language skills, both written and spoken, you are
able to interact confidently in the international network of researchers.
- Knowledge of the German language is an advantage.
- You are a team player and like to take responsibility for yourself and
others.
Our junior faculty members…
Research
- work on exciting questions in virtually all fields of economics
- regularly publish in top general interest and field journals
- cause impact because they bring scientific findings into policy
debates
- contribute to the debate on economic and educational policy in line with our
claim "Shaping the Economic Debate"
- are highly demanded on the national and international job market,
both in academia and in industry, and achieve placements as full or
associate professors at top universities
People
- are part of a team of about 111 economists
- are embedded in a vibrant economics community in Munich
- are part of the Department of Economics at LMU Munich
- can participate in the structured Junior Faculty Development Program
and have the opportunity to teach at LMU Munich
- engage with international top-class economists within our
CESifo network with more
than 2,000 members from all over the world
Support
- have access to an exceptional data infrastructure and other
supporting services
ifo
- have an initial three-year employment contract, with the option to be
extended
- receives its salary according to TV-L E 13 or E 14 (incl. special annual
payment) depending on publications and are part of the company pension
scheme (VBL) (in addition to the statutory pension insurance).
- are supported in their professional and personal development with
flexible working hours, the possibility of mobile work and many
tailored training and development programs, and is equipped for this in
the best possible, modern and comprehensive way.
- take up our company "holidays" during the year (a half day on
Carnival Tuesday and the 24th and 31st of December, each full day).
- are entitled to a relocation allowance after passing their
probationary period if they move to Munich or the surrounding area from a radius
of 200 km or more (like all our employees).
- will be supported with German courses if needed.
We were awarded the "HR Excellence in Research" award in 2019 by the European
Commission. Our membership in the Familienpakt Bayern (Bavarian Family Pact)
reinforces our measures to reconcile family and career. We promote professional
equality regardless of ethnic origin, gender, religion or belief, disability,
age or sexual identity. We strive to increase the proportion of women in
research and therefore expressly encourage women to apply.
How to apply!
Interested? Then we look forward to receiving your application with the
reference number 2024-003 EBDC-DS until 14 April 2024 using the
application
form.
Applications should include a cover letter, CV, academic publication (e.g.
job market paper) and reference letters. Reference letters can be sent
directly from the creator to the following email address:
Recruiting@ifo.de. The letters will then
be added to your application in our system and forwarded to the appropriate
people.
Please make sure to use only .pdf files, Word documents and images in .jpg
format. Please also ensure to use short file names. Please read the document " Information
on attachment naming" and try the browser "Mozilla Firefox" or "Microsoft
Edge" in the latest version should you have problems uploading the documents.
For technical or general questions, please contact
recruiting@ifo.de. For subject-specific
information / questions, please contact Dr. Sebastian Wichert ( Wichert@ifo.de;
089/9224-1507).
ifo Institut – Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung an der
Universität München e. V.
Poschingerstr. 5
81679 München
www.ifo.de