Social Capital and Cultural Norms

Postdoctoral research positions. Deadline: April 1, 2015

The Higher School of Economics International Center for the Study of Institutions and Development (ICSID) in Moscow, Russia invites applications for a postdoctoral research position to study social capital and cultural norms.

A significant body of empirical and theoretical research has demonstrated the importance of social capital and cultural norms for economic and institutional development. Much less attention has been devoted to identifying the precise mechanisms that generate and change social norms and foster social capital. Russia offers a fertile ground for this research as it has a vibrant history with economic and political shocks, diverse institutions and populations affected by different types of norms – from Soviet and traditional ones to quite modern. Our work is based on unique datasets that allow us to study modern social capital and cultural norms and link them with data from archives. Among them are surveys of 34,000 individuals in almost all Russian regions conducted in 2000-2011 and designed to be regionally representative. We also use other valuable sources of information such as Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey (RLMS), World Values Survey, and Life in Transition Survey. The projects concentrate on the  influence of trust on preferences over redistribution to target groups, naming patterns and their consequences in Russia, effects of the Old Believers and Russian Germans on long-term economic development. Candidates are welcome to participate in these or other topics that will be of mutual interest. 

The position involves:

• working under the direct supervision of Ekaterina Borisova (Leading Research Fellow at ICSID and Assistant Professor at the Economics Department of Higher School of Economics);
• participants are encouraged to pursue their own research in parallel with working on ICSID’s research projects in two broad areas:

1. Deep determinants of social capital and cultural norms in Russia and ways to change them and accumulate,
2. Mechanisms that underlie social capital and cultural norms;

• writing research papers for international peer-reviewed journals in co-authorship with the members of the Institute;
• participating in and organizing events and making other contributions to the Institute’s development;
• public presentations of candidate’s own research are also encouraged.

The Institute offers access to its databases (please see website), analytical software, and technical support.

Requirements:

• a PhD from an international research university in such fields of social science as: economics, sociology, political science, public policy or government;
• a strong interest in the fields of social capital and cultural norms analysis; publications in this field will be a plus;
• a strong background in data processing and data analysis using classical statistics;
• ability to design lab and/or survey experiments is an asset;
• knowledge of ArcGIS or other similar programs is an asset;
• ability to work in a team;
• knowledge of the Russian language is an asset.

General conditions for Post-Doctoral Research positions can be found here. Appointments will be normally made for one year.

Please apply via online application form and attach you CV and research statement. Two letters of recommendations should be sent directly to >fellowship@hse.ru by April 1, 2015.

The HSE is a young, dynamic, fast-growing Russian research university providing unique research opportunities.