Doctoral Researcher in the field of Development Economics

The University of Passau owes its strong visibility and good repute to excellent research, innovative teaching and its tight-knit international academic networks. Some 11,000 students from 100 countries and more than 1,300 staff study and work on our university campus, which is located a stone’s throw from the historic Old Town of Passau and combines state-of-the-art technical infrastructure with award-winning architecture. Internationally successful high-tech companies and a vibrant start-up scene, coupled with a rich culture and Lower Bavarian traditions, give Passau and the surrounding area a special appeal that makes it a great place to live and work.

The Chair of Development Economics (Professor Michael Grimm) invites applications for the position of Doctoral Researcher in the field of Development Economics (Ph.D. Candidate).

The position offers the opportunity to engage in field experiments and quasi-experimental research in low- and middle-income countries in the fields of health, entrepreneurship and agriculture, among others. Doctoral candidates are expected to present their research at international conferences. They are supported in their work by a wide range of doctoral-level courses offered by the University of Passau and the Bavarian Graduate Program in Economics (BGPE). The Chair is involved in three major degree programmes: B.Sc. Business Administration and Economics, M.Sc. International Economics and Business, and M.A. Development Studies. The successful candidate will teach on the courses of the Chair, specifically Microeconomics and Growth and Development (both forming part of the B.Sc. programme) and various specialised Master's-level courses and seminars in Development Economics, such as Micro Development Economics; Health, Development and Public Policy; and Evaluation of Development Policies.

Requirements

The successful candidate will have recently gained their M.A./M.Sc. in Economics (with a minor or major in Development Economics) or Development Studies with a specialisation in Economics, or be close to completing their degree.

This position requires strong quantitative skills and the ability to handle and manage large and complex microdata sets in STATA.

Moreover, the following qualifications would be desirable:

• experience with GIS software, Python and R
• field experience and expertise in one or more countries of the Global South
• initial experience in a teaching assistant role for economics courses

Candidates should be adaptable team workers with good planning and organisational skills, an interest in interdisciplinary collaboration and an excellent command of both English and German. The position is mainly based on campus, with most of the working time spent there.

Appointment and salary

The position will commence on 1 April 2027 and will initially be offered at 26% full-time-equivalent (0.26 FTE) for six months. From 1 October 2027 it will be a full-time appointment (1 FTE) and run for a further three years, ending on 30 September 2030. Remuneration for the position is in line with pay grade TV-L E13 of the German public-sector salary scale, with the social benefits applicable for public-sector employees.

This position is suitable for candidates with disabilities. Those who are registered disabled are given preference over non-disabled applicants who do not otherwise have statutory preferential status if their overall personal aptitudes, skills and qualifications are equal.

Applications

To apply, please send a single PDF file comprising a cover letter, your CV including the names of two referees, copies of relevant degree certificates and transcripts, and a short research statement (not more than two pages) outlining your main research interests to Ms Christiana Augsburg, Jetzt bewerben, by 22 November 2026.