Research Associate

Mein Grundeinkommen e.V. is looking for a Research Associate to join us in Berlin as soon as possible, working 32 hours per week.

What happens to our society when people no longer face financial insecurity? Since 2014, we have been exploring how universal basic income (UBI) works in practice by crowdfunding over 2,100 UBIs. In collaboration with leading research institutions such as DIW Berlin, the University of Oxford, the University of Vienna, and the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, we study its effects and contribute our findings to the public debate.

We aim to reach diverse communities, especially those who benefit most from UBI but whose voices are often unheard. Intersectional perspectives are central to our work. We strive for an inclusive, discrimination-sensitive environment and are currently engaging in an anti-racism process with external experts (e.g. Tupoka Ogette & Stephen Lawson).

Job Specifications

To be able to implement meaningful projects together, we are now looking for a research associate to join our interdisciplinary research team investigating the relationship of financial resources and democratic participation. You will be part of a collaborative project between researchers from economics and psychology and the NGO Mein Grundeinkommen. The research team includes Frederik Schwerter (Frankfurt School of Finance and Management), Susann Fiedler (Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien) and Maximilian Kasy (University of Oxford).

You will play a central role designing, coordinating and conducting empirical studies (e.g., field experiments, surveys). Specifically, you will coordinate and oversee data collection and data management with the research team. You will work closely with both academic and non-academic partners, and contribute to the scientific dissemination of results through publications and public communication. 

The position focuses on quantitative data analysis to assess the impact of basic income. Moreover, you will review existing studies, with a particular emphasis on financial inequality and its effects. 

An important aspect of the position is the translation of research findings into Mein Grundeinkommen’s work, and vice versa, ensuring close alignment between research and organizational goals. Finally, the position requires a strong commitment to applying interdisciplinary perspectives within social science research, integrating insights from diverse fields and experiences.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Economics, Political Economy, Behavioral Economics, Psychology, or a related field

• Demonstrated research interest in at least one of the project’s core areas: financial resources, political participation, democratic theory, redistribution, or social policy

• Strong methodological background in experimental design and causal inference or econometrics

• Proven skills in statistical analysis, preferably R

• Strong publication record relative to academic age, with presentations at relevant conferences

• Excellent command of English and German (at least equivalent to B2 level)

• Ability to spend at least 25% of your working time in our office in Berlin

• Strong teamwork skills and a mindset that values mutual appreciation and trust as keys to effective collaboration

Desired Qualities

• Experience in managing collaborative projects and/or engaging with non-academic stakeholders is an asset

• Familiarity with preregistration, open science practices, and transparent data management

• Interest in science communication and policy-relevant research translation

• Motivation to work at the intersection of academic research and civil society

• Willingness to apply principles of nonviolent communication (part of the onboarding process)

• Experience with working in self-organizing teams

What We Offer

• Instead of conventional hierarchies, we use a holacratic organisational model that fosters shared responsibility and co-creation. Due to our legal form as an association, you are both a colleague and a member at the same time.

• A purpose-driven workplace with a strong focus on equality, opportunities for personal growth, and diversity.

• External support through coaching and further training in line with agreed development goals.

• Our aim is to create discrimination-sensitive environments: we commit to an ongoing process of reflection, where every colleague’s voice is valued and heard.

• Office space in Berlin-Mitte and the possibility of hybrid working.

• A competitive salary (range 67.300 € - 75.000 € annually gross) based on a 32-hour full-time work week, plus 35 vacation days (based on a 5-day work week).

• Meal allowance & company pension scheme.
  

Our aim is to make this a permanent position: initially, all employment contracts are limited to one year, so that we find out together whether we want to shape the future side by side. Before the end of the year,  we review whether we want to continue our collaboration.