The Cluster of Excellence Contestations of the Liberal Script (SCRIPTS) is an interdisciplinary research consortium that examines the nature, causes, and potential consequences of the growing, increasingly polarised, and radicalised challenges to the liberal script at both domestic and international levels. SCRIPTS uses the concept of the “liberal script” to analyse how and why liberal ideas and institutions for organising societies have come under mounting pressure, despite their political, economic, and social achievements and in the absence of a convincing alternative model. Building on this foundation, the Cluster now investigates the resilience of the liberal script: why some of its varieties appear more capable than others of coping with intensifying criticism and rejection.
Established in 2019 and funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), SCRIPTS is hosted by Freie Universität Berlin and brings together eight major Berlin-based research institutions, complemented by a network of around 20 international partners. Its research teams include doctoral and postdoctoral researchers as well as professors from social sciences, political science, and area studies. In addition, SCRIPTS maintains close cooperation with actors from politics, culture, and civil society and regularly hosts visiting scholars from around the world.

Job description:
Main tasks (research support):

Supporting scientific research on AI in authoritarian and liberal systems, supporting empirical comparative analyses of governance structures and the influence of AI, e.g., in China and the US, preparing materials for lunch talks, policy simulations, workshops, and conferences

Secondary tasks (organizational support):

Coordinating participatory mini-projects and public debates, assisting with event logistics (e.g., room reservations, invitations), administrative tasks such as documentation and social media posts on project progress
The selection is done according to the SCRIPTS Diversity Rules & Guidelines: https://www.scripts-berlin.eu/about-us/Diversity/index.html

Desirable:
- Studies in Chinese Studies, Political Science or Economics, Data Science or a similar subject
- at least very good English language skills (C1) and good German language skills (B2), both written and spoken
- good skills in word processing and web publishing (HTML, WordPress, etc.)
- strong communication and teamwork skills, as well as intercultural competence
- IT expertise is an advantage
- Experience in planning and organising events is an advantage