We are looking for motivated students to join the Empirical Research Support at CISPA Helmholtz-Center for Information Security as research assistants.
Who are we?
We support CISPA scientists with our methodological expertise to make empirical research a successful, frictionless, and enjoyable experience. For example, we support qualitative and quantitative studies from the first idea to submitting the research paper, and help develop, maintain, and provide software for the research process.
The CISPA Helmholtz Center for Information Security is a major federal research institution within the Helmholtz Association. The scientists research information security in all its facets. The center conducts cutting-edge basic research as well as innovative application-oriented research and work on pressing challenges in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and data protection. CISPA research results find their way into industrial applications and products that are available worldwide. In this way, CISPA strengthens the competitiveness of Germany and Europe. It also promotes talent and is a cadre for excellently trained specialists and managers for industry. In this way, CISPA also carries its know-how into the future.
Who are you?
Mindset

• You work independently and self-motivated and are willing to take responsibility for the tasks you are given.
• You are curious and keen to learn new things.
• You enjoy working in an interdisciplinary team and can coordinate your work with others.
• You enjoy working on solving problems, even if the problems are technical, abstract, or not clearly defined.

Formal

• You are proficient in at least one programming language.
• You can communicate effectively in English.
• You are currently enrolled at a German university.
• You can join us for at least six months (ideally more).
• You would like to work with us between 10 and 19 hours/week.

What do we offer?
You will work together with us in one (or several) of the following areas, depending on your interests and skills:

• Help analyzing research data (e.g., coding of interview transcripts).
• Supporting the didactic communication of research methods (e.g., how to use existing research software).
• Collaborating on the development of research-related software (e.g., web apps for conducting analyses)
• Preparing, testing, and maintaining research-related hardware and associated software (e.g., eye trackers)
• Testing and training of AI-supported analysis tools.

Please be aware that due to the project-based nature of our work, we may also ask you to support us with various other research-related tasks not listed above (e.g., reviewing literature, inviting participants to studies, etc.).
In addition to your everyday tasks, we offer you a job with a lot of creative freedom and personal responsibility, where you can contribute your own ideas and learn many new things. Besides that, you will get to know the processes in a renowned research institute first hand and learn which specific challenges come with conducting research in this environment.
We offer flexible working hours to make sure that you can fit in studies, jobs and private life After consultation, you can also work remotely if you do not live locally (residence in Germany is still mandatory).
Severely disabled persons will be given preferential consideration in the event of equal suitability.
We welcome applications regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity.
How to apply?
Important: Please apply, even if you know that you can only start in a few months. We will consider all applications received until the positions are filled.
Click on „Click here to apply” below and create an account with the job portal. There you will be able to upload your documents.
Please upload your CV and a current certificate of enrollment.
Since there are many different areas in which you can support us, we would like to get to know you better right from the start of the application process.
So instead of uploading a cover letter please upload a document in which you answer the following questions:
Don't worry if some of the following questions do not apply to your skill set. It is perfectly fine to state that you have no experience in these areas.

• What name do you go by (including pronouns)?
• Do you have experience with content creation (e.g., recording video/audio)?
• Do you have any experience with conducting empirical research (qualitative or quantitative)?
• Do you have experience in analyzing data?
• Do you have experience working with Git and Git Lab/Git Hub’s CI/CD?
• Which skill would you like to learn/foster while working with us?
• In addition to answering the questions, please add a link to analyses/code you have written (e.g., on Git Hub, OSF) and a short description of the

linked projects.
Do not send a traditional cover letter. We will not read it nor consider it regarding your application.
What then?
As soon as we receive your documents, we will look at them and give you feedback by the end of the following calendar week at the latest.
If we see fit we will invite you to an online interview to get to know you. In the run-up to the interview, you will receive a task from us in which we will ask you to describe in writing how you would solve a practical problem posed by us. The task should take a maximum of 1-2 hours to complete. You will receive more information in our response to your application.
What now?
If you have questions regarding this specific position, please contact Alexander Hart (he/him) at hart@cispa.de via email.
For questions regarding the job portal, please contact our Application Management Team.
Leistungen:

• Betriebliche Altersvorsorge
• Betriebliche Weiterbildung
• Flexible Arbeitszeiten
• Homeoffice-Möglichkeit

Arbeitsort: Vor Ort