PhD Positions in Economics and Political Science

Graduate School of the Social and Behavioural Sciences (GSBS)

The University of Konstanz is one of eleven Universities of Excellence in Germany. Since 2007, it has been successful in the German Excellence Initiative and its follow-up programme, the Excellence Strategy.

The GSBS offers a first-rate structured doctoral programme, which brings together doctoral candidates from eight disciplines (biology, economics, linguistics, political science and public administration, physics, psychology, sociology and statistics) to undertake high quality research in the social and behavioural sciences. Aside from a subject-specific focus, doctoral candidates can opt for an interdisciplinary specialisation in “Collective Behaviour”, “Decision Sciences” or “Inequality”.

Our Open PhD Positions

We currently wish to fill positions with candidates interested in the following areas:

• International Politics
• Macroeconomics, and in particular, Monetary Economics 
• Organisational Behaviour and the Future of Work 
• Organisational Economics, with a specialisation in Human Resource Management 
• Political Science. 

Further details about the open positions.

We expect

• An outstanding Master’s degree (completed or pending) in a subject relevant to the open positions.
• A high level of motivation to conduct academic research, a solid background in the relevant methods, English language proficiency and a definite interest in one of the open positions, as documented by your application form and supporting documents (statement of purpose, academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.). 

We offer

• A comprehensive training programme of courses, research seminars and research colloquia, which provides doctoral candidates with the tools to complete their doctorate in line with the highest international standards.
•  A vibrant research community of professors, junior professors, postdoctoral candidates, guest lecturers and doctoral candidates engaged in frontier research.
• All University Departments involved in the GSBS belong to the premier departments of their kind in Germany and enjoy an outstanding reputation in teaching and research. The Clusters of Excellence “Collective Behaviour” and “The Politics of Inequality” also contribute to the training and research measures of the GSBS.
• Supervision of each doctoral candidate by two professors and an external adviser, who match the candidate’s research interests and provide guidance and support regarding doctoral training, the doctoral thesis and career plans.
• A wide network of international and national partners, providing opportunities for research stays, contact to external advisers and conference or workshop participation.
• Targeted career preparation to facilitate entry into academic positions at leading universities and research institutions, or into top positions in the private sector or the public service.
• The University’s first-rate infrastructure includes its award-winning 24-hour open library, state-of-the-art computer facilities and the provision of German and other foreign language courses.
• Constance is one of Germany’s choice destinations. Its unique setting on the shores of Lake Constance and the River Rhine, as well as its proximity to the Alps, Switzerland, Austria and France, make it the ideal location for study and leisure.

How to apply

Please apply for the positions via the GSBS application portal.

Application deadline for admission in October 2023: 15th April 2023.

The University of Konstanz is committed to ensuring an environment that provides equal opportunities and promotes diversity as well as a good balance between university and family life. As an equal opportunity employer, we strive to increase the number of women working in research and teaching. We also support working couples through our dual career programme. Persons with disabilities are explicitly encouraged to apply. They will be given preference if appropriately qualified (contact + 49 7531 88-4016). 

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