BIOSFER – “Untangling the Social and Biological Determinants of Fertility in Modern Societies” – is a major new research initiative funded by the ERC Synergy grant program that brings together scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR), the Center for Fertility and Health at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, and Aarhus University in Denmark. BIOSFER investigates how social, biological and psychological forces produce the emerging fertility patterns in young adults, and to what extent the polarization of fertility outcomes across social strata can be attributed to social and biomedical factors. Key questions include how fecundity clusters across social strata, whether this clustering can help to explain socially patterned fertility outcomes, and how knowledge of fecundity and fertility behavior are related.
The MPIDR is currently seeking to appoint two or more full-time post-doctoral researchers to contribute to BIOSFER’s research agenda. The successful candidate will work on one or more of the key research arms of BIOSFER. These include understanding how fecundity, fertility ideals, and fertility behavior co-evolve over the life course; how intergenerational exposures may program fertility; the joint dynamics of fecundity, fertility, and partnership formation; and how knowledge about fecundity and age-related fecundity decline influence fertility behavior.
BIOSFER builds heavily on the two richest population-based longitudinal pregnancy and pubertal cohort surveys in the world: The Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) and the Danish National Birth Cohort (DNBC). These surveys include more than 200,000 young adults followed from fetal life onwards. Scientists in BIOSFER have exciting opportunities to use the data as well as shape the data collection. The data sets include extensive information on social and biological measures, and the data collection is enriched by randomized controlled trials focusing on the interrelation between fecundity knowledge and fertility behavior.
Your profile
We welcome applications from researchers with a PhD in demography, statistics, epidemiology, sociology, economics, psychology, or other relevant fields. The successful candidate will develop their own research questions within BIOSFER, and they will contribute their skills and knowledge to projects more broadly within BIOSFER. Collaboration within the MPIDR-based BIOSFER team led by PI Mikko Myrskylä is expected, as well as collaboration with teams led by the Oslo-based PI Siri Eldevik Håberg and Aarhus-based PI Cecilia Ramlau-Hansen. Research stays at the Oslo and Aarhus partner sites are encouraged.
Our offer
We provide a stimulating research-oriented community, an excellent infrastructure, and opportunities to work with exciting datasets. The successful applicant will be offered a contract for up to 4 years with remuneration commensurate to experience (starting from approx. 57,000 EUR gross per year for researchers who have just completed their PhD, up to approx. 71,000 EUR gross per year for more senior scientists), based on the salary structure of the German public sector (Öffentlicher Dienst, TVöD Bund).
The currently advertised positions are located at the MPIDR. It is expected that successful applicants will be in residence at the MPIDR in Rostock, Germany, and support for relocation costs is available.
The MPIDR is one of the leading demographic research centers in the world. It is part of the Max Planck Society, a network of 86 institutes that form Germany’s premier basic-research organization. Max Planck Institutes have an established record of world-class, foundational research in the sciences, technology, social sciences and the humanities. They offer a unique environment that combines the best aspects of an academic setting and a research laboratory.
The Max Planck Society offers a broad range of measures to support the reconciliation of work and family. These are complemented by the MPIDR’s own initiatives. For more information, see Reconciliation of work and family. In addition, there are a range of central initiatives and measures primarily geared towards helping young female researchers and mothers to advance their career. See Career Development for some examples.
We value diversity and are keen to employ individuals from minorities and under-represented groups. The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. Furthermore, the Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply.
Your application
Please apply online via our application portal and include in a single PDF file:
- Letter of interest (max. 2 pages)
- Curriculum Vitae (max. 3 pages, focusing on your most relevant achievements)
- A writing example (e.g., one of your publications)
- Contact information for up to 2 academic referees
In order to receive full consideration, please apply by January 10, 2023. Interviews are planned for January 23 to February 10. The exact starting date is flexible. Applicants should have completed their doctoral degree; however, candidates graduating in 2023 can apply.
For general inquiries about the position, the BIOSFER project, and the MPIDR, please contact Mikko Myrskylä.
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