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Details of the postdoctoral positions
Application Round
September 2026
Project title
Studying the Demographic Consequences of Medical Progress
City
Rostock
Specific field of research
Demography
Social- and Behavioral Sciences
Max Planck Institute
Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research
Broad field of research
Human Sciences Section
Short description of the group/project/topic of research

Medical progress has fundamentally changed how people live with disease and how populations age, respond, and adapt. In many societies today, having a history of disease does not necessarily imply poor health. The Max Planck Research Group on Medical Demography investigates this new demographic reality and addresses the intended and unintended demographic consequences of medical progress. Our mission is to advance the field of medical demography by building on existing approaches and developing new conceptual, methodological, and empirical foundations. 

Three broad themes currently orient this agenda:

  1. Disease Presence and Disease Impact
  2. Diffusion of Medical Progress in Populations
  3. Population Resilience and Vulnerability

These themes provide a rough structure and should be understood as broad and flexible rather than fixed. Postdoctoral researchers are expected to contribute to the group's shared agenda, but are equally encouraged to develop their own independent research line within medical demography. In practice, work in the group is typically organized in roughly equal parts between group-related projects, projects of individual interest, and service to the group and community (for example (co-)supervision of PhD students, peer review, support in organizing workshops, and occasional teaching).

The group collaborates closely with international research groups in demography, epidemiology, and medicine, and is embedded in MPIDR's broader network of researchers working on population health. Further information on the research group can be found here: https://www.demogr.mpg.de/en/research_6120/independent_research_groups_…

Additional information

The MPIDR is one of the leading demographic research centers in the world. The successful applicant will enjoy a unique opportunity for collaborative research at the MPIDR, in particular with existing departments and groups working on topics within population health, as well as access to a broad range of wellness, health, and professional development offerings.

The MPIDR is an equal opportunities employer. Respect and inclusivity are central to our work culture, where diversity in gender, background, beliefs, abilities, and identities is embraced and valued. We are committed to shaping a culture that encourages continuous development of each person's skills and potential.

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. The Society has been awarded the certificate “Work and Family” which is granted to institutions committed to establishing a family-friendly corporate culture by binding target agreements. The MPIDR collaborates with a network of local day-care centers that provides childcare places for the children of Institute staff. The Max Planck Society pays for additional costs due to childcare needs of parents who attend conferences. The MPIDR also practices flexible working-time models. To help accompanying spouses and partners of researchers starting at MPIDR find appropriate work at their new location, the MPIDR works in close cooperation with Dual-Career Partners in regional networks and also with the Max Planck Society's Dual Career Office from which support might be available.

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. There are a range of central initiatives and measures primarily geared towards helping young female researchers and mothers to advance their career. See the link below for some examples: https://www.demogr.mpg.de/go/career-development.

Link to PI’s webpage
https://www.demogr.mpg.de/en/about_us_6113/staff_directory_1899/marcus_ebeling_2267
Requirements
Requirements

Applicants have to upload their 

  • CV (including a publication list)
  • a summary of previous research
  • and a statement of interest
Additional requirements for the application

We invite applications from candidates who have, or will soon obtain, a PhD in demography, epidemiology, medicine, public health, sociology, health economics, biostatistics, or a related field. We welcome applications from candidates whose profile closely aligns with the group's existing research directions, as well as from those whose disciplinary background, methodological training, or empirical focus would extend the range of expertise within the group. As a growing group, we value both continuity with our current work and the addition of complementary perspectives.

Qualifications and Skills

  • Strong interest and demonstrated ability to conduct rigorous, original research relevant to medical demography, population health, epidemiology and related fields.
  • Proficiency in at least one statistical software package, such as R or Stata.
  • Experience with quantitative analysis of health-related data.

In your research summary, please summarize your research accomplishments, ongoing work, and future research plans. Please also describe your technical skills, areas of expertise, and the type of scientific contribution or independent research agenda you envision pursuing at MPIDR and within the Medical Demography Group. In the statement of interest, please briefly explain why you are interested in joining the MPIDR, how the position could foster your professional development and career trajectory, and how you see your own research interests and expertise relating to the Medical Demography Group's research agenda — whether by building on it directly or by extending it in new directions. In addition to the CV, research summary and statement of interest, we also asked applicants to submit: 

  • Names and contact information for up to two academic referees
  • One writing sample or publication 
Principal Investigator
Marcus Ebeling - Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research
Email: ebeling@demogr.mpg.de
Contact person
Marcus Ebeling
ebeling@demogr.mpg.de
+493812081148