Wiss. Mitarbeiter*in (Praedoc) (m/w/d)

About Us

The Software Engineering group (Prof. Dr. Lutz Prechelt) has been the world's leading research group in analyzing the process of pair programming for many years. In the future, we also want to understand how collaboration with AI assistants (Copilots) works in software development and when it is similar to or different from pair programming.

Research Area 2 concerns the concept of "(Organizational) Culture": How can an analysis of culture help to understand phenomena in software development and improve teams or organizations in their collaboration, especially in avoiding security vulnerabilities?

Research Area 3 involves critical analyses of the research quality in international software engineering research.

Our research in all three areas is empirical; we do not build development tools.

We are a small research group with a high ethos and treat each other on an equal footing. You can largely decide your own working hours; 1-3 days of home office per week are possible if interested.

We publish according to the motto "Quality over Quantity": with high quality and high practical relevance of the results.

What to Expect

You will lead the exercise sessions for Prof. Prechelt's lecture courses (extensive materials are available for this) and occasionally offer a Proseminar or software project independently. This will require 30%-40% of your time during the lecture period, and only a little outside of it; you will complete one or, if interested, several didactical further training courses. You will invest the rest of your time in your research, where you will initially choose one of the research areas mentioned above (preparatory work exists in all areas) and later decide the details of the topic and procedure continuously yourself. You will seek supervision whenever it seems sensible. The position serves your own academic qualification (doctorate).

What You Bring

Completed scientific university degree (Master's or Diploma) in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.

What We Wish For You

Good language skills in German and English.

High interest in researching human aspects in software development processes using qualitative research methods.

Enjoyment of university teaching.

Gender and diversity competencies.

Curiosity.

You want to pursue a doctorate not because you expect a higher income (this may or may not succeed), but for one of the following reasons: (1) because you enjoy the university work environment: research, teaching, open communication culture, highly self-directed work; (2) because you want to experience the personal development that the challenge of a doctorate entails; you will be well-supported in this; (3) because you are considering an academic career; this does not mean you need to have a fixed goal yet.

If you are wondering whether you are up to this role: Please apply, and we can clarify it together!

Have We Sparked Your Interest?

Then we look forward to receiving your meaningful application documents. Please send us your application via our online recruiting portal by clicking the "Apply Now" button. From there, you will be directed to create a profile. Creating a profile is only necessary for your first application.

Gender equality, anti-discrimination, equal opportunities, and family-friendliness are overarching goals to which Freie Universität Berlin is committed. Corresponding criteria are also applied when assessing the qualifications of applicants. In cases of equal qualification, women will be given preferential consideration in areas where they are underrepresented.

Further information is available from Lutz Prechelt.

Benefits:

• Hybrid remote model
• 1-3 days home office per week possible
• Flexible working hours
• Didactical further training
• Support for doctoral candidates
• Commitment to gender equality, anti-discrimination, equal opportunities, and family-friendliness
• Preference for qualified women in underrepresented areas