The Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVA) brings together scientists from diverse backgrounds (natural sciences and humanities) with the aim of investigating the history of humankind from an interdisciplinary perspective using comparative analyses of genes, cultures, cognitive abilities, languages and social systems of past and present human populations, as well as those of primates closely related to humans.

The Department of Human Behavior, Ecology and Culture at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology seeks applicants for one position as

Student Research Assistant (m/f/d)
(min. 25 h/month, max. 80 h/month)

Application deadline: 25 Jun 2026 (or until the position has been filled)
Preferred interview dates: late June 2026
Preferred start date: asap

About us

This research project, Sanguatsiniq (“Turning”), examines Inuit livelihoods, well-being, and stress. Our field sites include Ulukhaktok in the Northwest Territories and Kangiqsujuaq in Nunavik, Quebec. See our project website for more information and recent publications.

Main tasks

A significant portion of our data is narrative. Consequently, we have approximately 90 hours of recordings, which need to be transcribed. Your main tasks will be processing audio files using offline, local software to generate a basic transcription. Afterwards, you will have to check the accuracy of the transcription, ensuring it matches the recording perfectly.

Mandatory criteria for applicants

• enrolled at a German university
• enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's degree program (or equivalent, e.g. "Lehramt
• advanced English skills (native-level preferred, as the cadence of the spoken English in the transcriptions will be challenging to transcribe)
• sustained attention to detail during repetitive tasks
• able to follow general transcription rules as well as project-specific protocols
• able to report back on work progress reliably and communicate effectively

To emphasize: For the position of Student Research Assistant, we can only accept applications from individuals with an active student status. We cannot hire students enrolled at universities outside of Germany, nor can we hire PhD-students.

What we offer

• first-hand experience in world-class research institution
•  flexible work hours
• the opportunity to work remotely

How to apply

Please submit your online (see link below) application in English. Please include a copy of your current certificate of matriculation ("Immatrikulationsbescheinigung").

The Max Planck Society and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology are committed to equal opportunities, diversity, and gender equality. We actively support the compatibility of work and family and have set ourselves the goal of employing more severely disabled people and groups that are underrepresented in science, especially in the given field of activity. Therefore, we explicitly encourage them to apply and welcome applications from all backgrounds.

The Max Planck Society is committed to equal opportunities and to employing individuals with disabilities and explicitly encourages them to apply.

We look forward to receiving your completed online application under http://www.eva.mpg.de/positions-available.html.

We look forward to receiving your completed online application.

You may print the job advert using this link.

Back to the list of vacancies

Further information on the research agenda of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology is available on our website: www.eva.mpg.de