The Einstein Research Unit "Coping with Affective Polarization" speaks to current debates on affective polarization and its consequences for social cohesion. The overarching objective is to identify strategies for dealing with the negative consequences of affective polarization. The Research Unit pursues three specific goals: (1) the creation of a Berlin Polarization Monitor to monitor affective polarization and related issues across time; (2) the identification of strategies to address the consequences of affective polarization at the level of the individual, social interactions, and civil society groups; and (3) the development of concrete interventions. The Einstein Research Unit „Coping with Affective Polarization“ brings together expertise of 11 researchers from the disciplines of psychology, psychiatry, political science, sociology, communication science, and philosophy. The team cooperates with a strong network of civil society partners combine basic research and regional application. The Einstein Research Unit is the outcome of a joint research network of the Berlin University Alliance (https://www.explore-interactions.de) and is coordinated by Swen Hutter (Political Science, FU Berlin), Christian von Scheve (Sociology, FU Berlin), Jule Specht (Psychology, HU Berlin) and Hanna Schwander (Political Science, HU Berlin). The Einstein Research Unit is supported by the Berlin University Alliance (BUA) and will commence its work on 1 October 2024.

Job description:
The advertised position is part of the research focus "Interactions" of the Einstein Research Unit that investigates the relevance of situated social interaction for affective polarization. Participants in this research focus are Christian von Scheve (Sociology, FU Berlin), Jan Slaby (Philosophy, FU Berlin), Ursula Hess (Social and Organisational Psychology, HU Berlin) and Denis Gerstorf (Developmental Psychology, HU Berlin). In particular, the applicant will contribute to studies investigating the relationship between emotions and social interactions in political and everyday contexts. The tasks include the design, execution and analysis of laboratory experiments on emotional expressions in social interactions and the conception, implementation, and analysis of an experience sampling study. In addition, the applicant will be involved in collecting and analysing survey data on emotions and politically motivated interactions. The position also offers the opportunity to participate in the long-term design and orientation of the Research Unit, as well as in the transdisciplinary exchange with partners in civil society.

Requirements:
Completed scientific university degree and Doctorate in psychology, sociology or in a related social science discipline

Desirable:
• Excellent academic curriculum vitae
• Interest in social and developmental psychological emotion research
• Knowledge and experience in analysing survey data and ambulatory assessment or experience in sampling procedures
• Knowledge of the application of psychophysiological methods, in particular EMG
• Interest in experimental methods
• Very good knowledge of quantitative methods
• Very good knowledge of syntax-based statistical software (e.g. R, SAS, SPSS)  
• Good German and very good English language skills
• Ability and interest in working independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team

For further information, please contact Prof. Dr. Ursula Hess (ursula.hess@hu-berlin.de/ +49 30 2093 9327).