Research Associate (post-doc, f/m) on living labs and qualitative research methods - Ref: 24-13

The Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER)

is recruiting a

Research Associate (post-doc, f/m) on living labs and qualitative research methods

• Ref: 24-13
• 12 months fixed-term working contract at LISER
• Full-time, 40 hours/week (80% working time is also possible)
• Department: Urban Development and Mobility (UDM)
• Expected start date: September 1st, 2024
• Work location: Belval (Luxembourg)
• Deadline: until the position is filled

For its Competence Centre in Experimental and Participatory Research (EXPAR), LISER is looking for a Research Associate (Post-doc) who will work at the forefront of innovation in a dynamic and growing community of researchers and stakeholders in Luxembourg to address societal challenges. You will be contributing to the research and implementation of an interactive co-creation process to identify and test solutions for the challenges we are facing in lifestyles, mobility, housing, energy, and sustainability in Luxembourg or elsewhere in Europe. In addition, in this position you promote the use and development of qualitative and design thinking methodologies.

About EXPAR

LISER has two Competence Centres (CC) in research methodologies: Experimental and Participatory Research (EXPAR) and Data Science and Simulations (DSS). The aim of EXPAR is to improve awareness and expertise in experimental and participatory research methodologies to strengthen LISER’s position at the forefront of internationally high quality, scientifically rigorous and societally relevant research. The activities of EXPAR include but not limited to submitting research proposals for external funding; stimulating methodological innovations via seed money; organizing internal seminars on methodologies; and inviting internationally well-known experts for a presentation and potential collaboration.

Your role

Within this position, you will assist researchers at LISER in applying participatory and qualitative methodologies and develop your own research in this methodological domain:

• Develop in co-creation a common living lab methodology;
• Develop in co-creation a common set of qualitative and design thinking methodologies;
• Support pro-actively researchers in applying these methodologies in research proposals and/or projects;
• Monitor implementation of these methodologies to ensure consistency;
• Pursuit independent research and development, including grant seeking activities at national and/or international level;
• Supervise and support pilot activities and exchanges to stimulate methodological innovations;
• Organize and conduct workshops with researchers and relevant stakeholders;
• (Co-)publish results in top-ranked academic journals;
• Organize trainings on specific aspects of living lab and qualitative and research design methodologies.

Your profile

• PhD in Social Sciences or Humanities (Social or Human Geography, Sociology, or other relevant field) or equivalent with qualifications in line with the expectations of the position;
• Experience working with living labs and participatory research methods (minimum 2 years);
• Sound knowledge and expertise in qualitative and design thinking methods;
• Proactive attitude and capable of creating change;
• Excellent organization and communication skills;
• Capable of working in multi-stakeholder environments;
• Having published in peer-reviewed international journals;
• Fluent in English and preferably in French (experience in writing deliverables and reports, present and lead workshops).

LISER particularly encourage female researchers to apply

What we offer

• A dynamic and international research environment with attractive working conditions and a stimulating work environment ;
• Flexibility in the organisation of the working hours and the possibility of teleworking ;
• Competitive remuneration according to the Collective Labour Agreement in force (half of a 13th month salary, meal vouchers, etc.) ;
• Investment in career support and development (trainings, seminars, participation to international meetings and conferences) ;
• 32.5 days of annual leave for a full-time contract.

Application process

Please submit your complete application in English via https://jobs.liser.lu/ by including the following documents:

• A full CV ;
• a cover letter detailing the applicant’s expertise and interest in the position (2 pages max);
• copy of certificate/diploma of your last obtained degree,
• selection of a published (or under review) article related to the job profile (close methodological approaches);
• two letters of reference (to be uploaded with the application documents or sent separately to recruitment@liser.lu).

Please note that the position will remain open until filled

Early application is encouraged as the applications are processed upon reception.

Would you have any work-related question on the position, please contact Prof. Martin DIJST at martin.dijst@liser.lu.

For administrative matters, please contact Mrs Vanya KIROVA at recruitment@liser.lu.

Why LISER?

LISER is a publicly funded research institute located in Luxembourg and dedicated to applied empirical research in economic, social and spatial sciences. The Institute attracts top researchers from all over the world and high-level student training is a vibrant part of the Institute’s activities. LISER staff consists of approx. 200 employees, about 60% of the staff being researchers; mainly from the fields of economics, geography and sociology. The vision of the institute is to be a socio-economic research institute internationally recognised, focused on scientific excellence and societal impact, able to contribute through multi-disciplinary and intersectoral research, in an active and inclusive way to a sustainable and inclusive society at national and international level.

The institute is located on the new Belval campus in the south of Luxembourg (Cité des Sciences, Luxembourg), which hosts the University of Luxembourg and a substantial part of the country’s publicly funded research facilities, i.e. LISER, the Luxembourg Income Study (LIS) cross-national data centre, the Luxembourg institutes of Health (LIH) and of Science and Technology (LIST). Information on research in Luxembourg is accessible via the national EURAXESS platform.

LISER in an Equal Opportunity Employer