Description

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is inviting applications for a part-time (75%) Academic Research Assistant position leading to a PhD degree within the Chair of Economic Policy at the Institute of Economics (ECON). This position provides prospective doctoral candidates with an opportunity to carry out doctoral research in an interdisciplinary, globally connected academic setting focused on economic policy, technological transformation, and international governance.

Position and Funding Details

Benefits and Remuneration

• Annual Salary: Remuneration is based on the German public service pay scale TV-L (Entgeltgruppe 13), ranging approximately from €44,400.00 to €47,700.00 gross per year according to experience and qualifications.
• Pension Scheme: Company pension coverage through the Federal and State Government Employees Retirement Fund (VBL).
• Paid Leave: 30 days of paid vacation per year.
• Work Flexibility: Flexible working hour arrangements and options for remote work.
• Travel Allowance: A monthly contribution of €25 toward the public transit JobTicket BW.
• Work-Life Balance: Access to family services via the "KIT-Family +" initiative, including parent-child office spaces, vacation activities, and child care resources.
• Health and Wellness: Mental health initiatives and fitness opportunities via the "Fit at KIT" scheme.
• Professional Training: Structured onboarding, individualized supervision, and university continuing-education programs.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must satisfy the following academic and technical requirements:

• Hold a master’s degree (or be near graduation) in Economics, Industrial Engineering, Business Economics, Business Informatics, Business Mathematics, or a closely related subject.
• Strong analytical and quantitative background, along with a keen motivation to apply these capabilities to academic investigations.
• Practical familiarity with scientific and data software, such as Python, R, LaTeX, Mathematica, or comparable tools.
• Full professional proficiency in spoken and written English.
• German language competency at B2 level or higher, or a clear willingness to develop the required proficiency.
• Demonstrated curiosity about artificial intelligence applications, digital media analysis, or modern computational tools.

Research Areas of Interest

Candidates with research interests in any of the following fields are strongly encouraged to apply:

• Technological development, innovation, and global well-being
• Artificial intelligence and systemic digital transformation
• International institutions and global governance frameworks
• Sustainability, environmental concerns, and economic resilience
• Global political economy
• Computational social science

Core Responsibilities

• Formulate and execute an independent research agenda leading to the submission of a doctoral dissertation.
• Support undergraduate and postgraduate teaching activities in German and English within the Chair.
• Maintain research infrastructure, including data collection, cleaning, database architecture, and computing pipelines.
• Assist faculty members in preparing research proposals, grant submissions, and third-party funded projects.
• Participate actively in chair administration, scientific workshops, academic seminars, and international conferences.

Required Application Documents

Applicants must assemble the following materials into a single PDF file:

• Letter of motivation
• Academic curriculum vitae (CV)
• Official transcripts of records (Bachelor's and Master's degrees)
• Academic writing sample (maximum 2 pages)

Application Process

1. Prepare all required materials and merge them into a single consolidated PDF document.
2. Submit your dossier online through the official KIT PSE job application portal.
3. Ensure that your complete submission is received on or before the stated closing date.

For official inquiries regarding the recruitment procedure, contact Julia Boldt at julia.boldt@partner.kit.edu. For academic questions about the Chair of Economic Policy, reach out to Prof. Dr. Ingrid Ott at ingrid.ott@kit.edu.

Applications can be submitted via the KIT Official Vacancy Portal.

Application Deadline

October 31, 2026