Research Engineer at the Method Center of the Faculty of Social Sciences

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is consistently ranked among the world's leading universities. There are around 47,000 students and more than 8,800 employees in Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö. We unite in our efforts to understand, explain, and improve our world and the conditions of people.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Equality, equal opportunities, and diversity are fundamental principles for all parts of our operations.

Workplace Description

At the Method Center, we work with the application and development of social science research methods. We encourage and grow through interdisciplinary exchange and collaboration. The Social Science Method Center is organized as an umbrella organization and is based on four areas: Qualitative Methods; Experimental Methods; Computational Social Science; and Skill School (https://www.sam.lu.se/forskning/samhallsvetenskapligt-metodcentrum (https://www.sam.lu.se/forskning/samhallsvetenskapligt-metodcentrum))

We Offer

Lund University is a government authority, which means that employees receive special benefits, generous vacation, and a favorable occupational pension system. Read more on the university's website about being employed with us via the link https://www.lu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss (https://www.lu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss).

Job Responsibilities and Duties

As a research engineer, you will support the faculty's researchers who have ongoing research projects based on quantitative analysis methods. You will be placed at the Faculty of Social Sciences library in Lund, which serves as a hub for support functions related to research and education.

A key focus of your work will be on an ongoing project titled "Shared Parliaments?" funded by the Riksbank Jubilee Fund. The project's overarching aim is to investigate how moralizing language used by parliament members affects decision-making in parliament. The project is led by Professor Hanna Bäck.

Your tasks will include supporting ongoing research that involves conducting analyses based on Large Language Models on large amounts of text data. Central to the tasks is contributing to combining social science theory with quantitative data and analysis methods.

Qualifications

Requirements for the position are:

• Social science education at the master's level with a clear quantitative profile.
• Advanced skills in data analysis and using quantitative analysis tools within one or more of the following methods: AI-based methods (e.g., NLP), visualization methods, or machine learning.
• Good ability to express yourself in English, both spoken and written.

You need to have excellent teamwork skills and be goal- and results-oriented. The work also requires you to have problem-solving analytical skills and the ability to work independently, structured, and meticulously. An interest and ability to learn and apply new methods and working methods are also required. You should also have a high degree of integrity, motivation, and flexibility in your work.

Desirable Qualifications

• Advanced programming skills (e.g., Python).
• Experience in research focusing on political psychology.
• Experience using Large Language Models.

Other Information

The position is permanent and is for 100% of full-time. Start date as soon as possible by agreement. A probationary period of 6 months may be applied.

How to Apply

The position is applied for via the university's recruitment system. The application should include a CV and a personal letter explaining your interest in the position and how it matches your qualifications. A master's thesis in a relevant subject area should be attached. The application should also include degree certificates or equivalent and any other documents you wish to submit (copies of transcripts, information about referees, recommendation letters, etc.).

Welcome with your application!

The university applies individual salary setting. Please indicate your salary expectations in your application.

The Faculty of Social Sciences at Lund University is one of the country's leading knowledge centers for research and education in social and behavioral sciences. With operations in both Lund and Helsingborg, over 700 employees, and about 5,700 full-year students, the faculty is one of Lund University's largest. We offer a creative academic environment with engaged students and staff. Our main task is to develop, communicate, and manage knowledge about society, humans, and organizations in an environment characterized by openness, tolerance, and curiosity.

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