The Cluster of Excellence “Contestations of the Liberal Script (SCRIPTS)” is a research consortium that analyses the contemporary controversies about liberal democracy and the market economy. The term “liberal script” relates to a set of ideas and institutional prescriptions about how society is organised based on the core principle of individual self-determination. The main purpose of SCRIPTS is to understand why the liberal model of order has fallen into crisis despite its political, economic, and social achievements.
SCRIPTS has been operating since 2019 and is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) until the end of 2025. The Cluster is hosted by the Freie Universität Berlin and unites eight major Berlin-based research institutes. Cluster research teams are made up of doctoral researchers, postdoctoral researchers, and professors from social, political, and area studies. SCRIPTS is well connected with research institutes and knowledge exchange partners throughout the world, including political and cultural organisations, as well as civil society actors. In addition, SCRIPTS brings renowned visiting scholars from all over the world to Berlin.
The Quality Management and Diversity Unit supports the involved researchers with project proposals, publications, and hiring processes, and monitors the procedures for internal fund allocation. Additionally, measures are developed and implemented to ensure equal participation of all individuals in the research process. This specifically includes the integration of researchers from underrepresented backgrounds and the recognition of diverse research perspectives. The focus of the research assistant positions is on academic publication and diversity management.
The selection is done according to the SCRIPTS Diversity Rules & Guidelines: https://www.scripts-berlin.eu/about-us/Diversity/Diversity_Rules_Guidelines/index.html
Job Description
Main tasks:
- Support in the academic conception, execution, and follow-up of academic workshops, conferences, and roundtable events to promote diverse perspectives at the Excellence Cluster
- Support in the academic conception of research projects and programs with a focus on diversity: conducting literature research and reports, taking minutes, and summarizing meetings and
workshops with a focus on project conception and design
- Support for researchers involved in the Excellence Cluster in publishing academic texts, particularly within the SCRIPTS Working Paper Series: editing and proofreading English-language
academic texts
Supportive Tasks
- Support in implementing suitable measures in the area of diversity (e.g., organizing career coaching, conference childcare, topic-specific workshops)
- Support the documentation of publication activities within the cluster
Desirable
- Currently pursuing a degree in social sciences and/or area studies
- Excellent proficiency in both German and English (C1)
- Experience or interest in working with reference management software (e.g., Endnote) and literature research
- Interest in the research field of the excellence cluster SCRIPTS
- Strong Office skills (proficiency in MS Excel tools for data analysis is an advantage)
- Excellent organizational skills and an independent and meticulous work style
- Competence in diversity issues
For further information, please contact Dr. Brinthanan Puvaneswaran (Brinthanan.Puvaneswaran@fu-berlin.de / 03083871064).
