Postdoctoral Researcher - Data Science for Public Policy (gn)

The Hertie School's Data Science Lab tackles major societal challenges through cutting-edge data science. Our mission is to foster and advance excellence in data science research, education, and application—enabling better decision-making for the common good. We apply machine learning, NLP, causal inference, and experimentation to policy problems spanning democracy, climate change, online communication, and beyond. We also host regular data science events and meetups that enrich campus life at the Hertie School and contribute to Berlin's academic, start-up, and industry communities.

To contribute to the Lab's mission, we are looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher - Data Science for Public Policy (gn). The contract shall commence as of 01 August, 2026 and will be limited for three years.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the development and growth of the Data Science Lab. The successful candidate will pursue an independent research agenda of their choosing while actively contributing to our research colloquium and academic life, engaging with faculty and students across disciplines. We particularly welcome candidates who bring excellence in research areas not yet represented at the Lab.

• Conduct independent research at the intersection of data science and public policy with a focus on ML/AI, causal inference, and/or computational methods;
• Collaborate with faculty and Data Science Lab members on joint research projects;
• Publish in reputable academic journals and present at conferences and workshops;
• Bring new ideas, methods, or perspectives into the Lab's research community and contribute to its intellectual life;
• Contribute to grant proposal writing and pursue external funding opportunities;
• Mentor and supervise graduate students working on related research projects;
• Teach one elective per semester in the School's MSc Data Science for Public Policy programme, methodological or thematic, aligned with your expertise.

• PhD or equivalent (or nearing completion) in computer science, data science, political science, computational social science, or a related field;
• A compelling research agenda at the intersection of public policy and data science;
• A visible publication record in relevant journals or conference proceedings;
• Strong technical skills across the data science pipeline, including programming (Python and/or R), version control, data engineering, and database management;
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to make complex ideas accessible to diverse audiences;
• Experience or interest in large-scale data engineering projects;
• A collaborative mindset paired with the drive to work independently.

• 30 days paid holidays per year and up to 20 days workation possible
• Flexible Working Hours
• Good Traffic Connections
• International and diverse work environment
• Mobile working possible
• Commuter Ticket

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