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Social Network Analysis

Postdoctoral research positions. Deadline: April 1, 2015

The International Center for the Study of Institutions and Development (ICSID) a the Higher School of Economics in Moscow, Russia invites applications for a postdoctoral research position in the field of social network analysis.

How do the social ties between federal and regional officials, as well as within regional administrations, shape economic development? The quality of government bureaucracies has long been thought to shape the incentives of government officials and the types of policies that they adopt, ultimately shaping the trajectory of economic development. While existing studies have made progress using coarse measures of education and other personal characteristics, little is known about the relationship between the density of social network ties within governments (and between different levels of government), the quality of the bureaucracy, and outcomes of interest. On the one hand, dense network ties might facilitate cross-level (within federal governments) or cross-departmental (with regional ones) coordination, making it easier for politicians to acquire resources and coordinate policy. This could be expected to have positive effects on development. On the other hand, dense network ties might also be signs of patronage politics at play, in which bureaucrats use networks to secure favors and rents for their partners. Using a unique dataset of Russian federal and regional elites, ICSID has begun to study this problem in a series of works about the quality of the Russian bureaucracy. Candidates will assist in the expansion of the center’s database of elites to include economic elites (business owners and directors) and in the analysis of how network characteristics effect economic development, more broadly, as well specific policy outcomes (investment, public goods provision, etc.). While the project is focused on Russia, candidates whose research involves a comparative dimension or who focus on other contexts (particularly China) are also encouraged to apply. 

The position involves:

  • working under the direct supervision of Andrei Yakovlev (Director, ICSID)
  • participants are encouraged to pursue their own research in parallel with two of ICSID projects:
  1. The effects of intra- and inter-regional social network characteristics (both federal and regional) on regional and federal level socio-economic outcomes and firm performance.
  2. The effects of intra- and inter-regional social network characteristics (both federal and regional) on officials’ career trajectories.
  • writing research papers for international peer-reviewed journals in co-authorship with members of the Institute.
  • participation in the organization of events and other contributions to the Institute’s development.
  • some 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. The center will also offer the Post-doc research assistants for data collection and maintenance tasks related to the center’s project areas.

Requirements:

  • a PhD from an international research university in fields such as: economics, political science/government, public policy, psychology, sociology, neurobiology, or other related cognitive-behavioral sciences.
  • a strong background in social network analysis (and related methods). A willingness to run short applied seminars to teach other team members how to use these techniques.
  • experience in data processing and construction of social network maps from raw, semi-structured data. Willingness to supervise data collection and cleaning to add to ICSID’s existing databases.
  • Background in economics and regional development (generally) a plus, but not required. Background in Russian regional economics and politics is also a plus, but not required.
  • ability to work in a team
  • English fluency. Russian proficiency is strongly encouraged, but not required.

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. Four years ago, the HSE started an ambitious program to create international research laboratories headed jointly by Russian and foreign scholars. As one of these laboratories, the International Center for the Study of Institutions and Development (ICSID) brings together leading Russian and foreign experts to conduct cutting edge research on the institutional foundations of growth and development.  


 

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