Student Research Assistant - NPC project (gn)

We are looking for a

Student Research Assistant – NPC Project (gn)

part-time (10 hours per week). The contract shall commence on 1 November 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The contract is limited to one year. The appointment is conditional on approval by the funding agency.

The Student Research Assistant will work with Prof. Anita Gohdes, Principal Investigator, and Dr. Maurice Schumann, Postdoctoral Researcher on the NPC project. The project investigates authoritarian influence in the global video games industry by examining industry ownership structures, changes in game content, and how gamers and consumers perceive and respond to authoritarian influence. The project is part of the Cluster of Excellence “Contestations of the Liberal Script” (SCRIPTS) and funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG).

The Cluster of Excellence “Contestations of the Liberal Script (SCRIPTS)” examines why liberal democracies around the world face growing pressure and what strengthens their resilience. Funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) under the German Excellence Strategy since 2019, SCRIPTS is hosted by Freie Universität Berlin partners with Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, the Hertie School, the WZB Berlin Social Science Center, Centre for East European and International Studies (ZOiS), and the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.

Your tasks:
  • Assisting in the construction of a shareholder-level database of video game franchises, including the collection and coding of ownership information from financial databases, corporate filings, and other publicly available sources
  • Supporting the preparation, testing, and monitoring of survey data collection
  • Assisting in the collection and coding of data on video games, game content, and user reviews
  • Compiling, cleaning, and managing datasets in R, including ownership, game-related, and survey data
  • Assisting with the organization of workshops, research documentation, and the communication and dissemination of project results
Your profile:

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree in economics, computer science, political or social sciences or a related field
  • Currently enrolled as a student at a German university
  • Very good skills in at least one script-based statistical software or programming language (e.g., R, Python)
  • Excellent command of English

Advantageous

  • Prior experience in collecting and working with financial or economic data
  • Prior experience in compiling, cleaning, and analysing survey, text, or social media data
  • Interest in and familiarity with gaming and streaming communities
  • Interest in quantitative social science research and/or data science
We offer:

  Flexible Working Hours

  International and diverse work environment

  Remuneration: € 15.00 hourly wage

  Mobile working possible

Please submit your application as a single PDF file, including a CV, a cover letter (max. 1 page), university transcripts, and proof of current enrolment, using the “Apply” button below. The deadline for full consideration is 06 October 2026. The selection is done according to the SCRIPTS Diversity Rules & Guidelines.

Please contact Maurice Schumann, Postdoctoral Researcher, for further information about the position.

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