The Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) is inviting applications from qualified and highly motivated students for a Summer Research Visit.
The goal of the Population and Social Data Science Summer Incubator Program is to enable discovery by bringing together data scientists and population scientists to work on focused, intensive and collaborative projects of broad societal relevance.
For a period of 3 months (June 1st – August 20th, 2027) participating students will work in small teams, with support from experienced mentors, towards a common research goal. For the summer of 2027, the focus of the program will be on two main research areas:
- “Digitalization, Migration, and Segregation” mentored by Carolina Coimbra Vieira, Boris Barron, and Sara Curran (Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies; University of Washington)
- “Kinship Dynamics: Uncertainties and Inequalities in a Global Perspective” mentored by Benjamin Schlüter, Elena Pojman, and Emilio Zagheni
Participating students will be exposed to best practices across the social sciences and data sciences while contributing to a hands-on project experience that will result in a scientific journal article. All participants will also have access to lectures and will be able to participate in other scientific activities taking place at the MPIDR.
Applicants must be enrolled in a doctoral or master’s university program (at the time they visit the MPIDR). Selected candidates must obtain approval to participate in the program by their supervisor / administrator. The Incubator program values research teams that include early-career scientists from a range of disciplines and backgrounds, with complementary skill sets. Priority will be placed on bringing together a diverse pool of students. The total number of attendees will be defined based on resources and quality of applications. The mentors will provide seed projects and data ideas, with flexibility for students to put forward their own ideas as well.
Successful candidates will have demonstrated ability to work on research projects independently and in interdisciplinary teams, and an interest in research problems related to both data science and the social sciences, broadly defined.
You can find more information on previous program participants, projects and publication outcomes on the program webpage.
For additional questions, you can contact us at incubator@demogr.mpg.de