Doctoral researchers in the DFG Graduate Program “Collective Decision-Making” (12 positions) § 28 Subsection 3 HmbHG

Doctoral researchers in the DFG Graduate Program “Collective Decision-Making” (12 positions) § 28 Subsection 3 HmbHG

Institution: Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities
Salary level: EGR. 13 TV-L
Start date: 01.11.2026, fixed for a period of three years. (This is a fixed-term contract in accordance with Section 2 of the academic fixed-term labor contract act [Wissenschafts­zeitvertrags­gesetz, WissZeitVG]).
Application deadline: 31.03.2026
Scope of work: part-time
Weekly hours: 75% of standard work hours per week

The English language graduate program is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and is concerned with the descriptive and normative dimensions of collective decision-making. It provides doctoral researchers in Economics, Philosophy and Political Science with a structured qualification program to do their doctorate in one of the three disciplines. The research program conceptualizes collective decision-making as a complex and interactive process involving individual preferences, epistemic and normative beliefs, as well as decision-making procedures and institutions. It integrates theoretical and empirical research, including experimental methods. The qualification program and supervision strategy will provide doctoral researchers with both the specialist disciplinary knowledge and skills for studying collective decision-making, as well as the interdisciplinary competence to converse across the three disciplines. The interdisciplinary research environment will support doctoral researchers in their efforts to make innovative contributions in their dissertations. Researchers completing the program will stand out for their ability to engage in advanced theoretical, empirical, and normative reasoning about collective decision-making and generate new ideas concerning the design of procedures to tackle the complex governance problems of modern society.

Your responsibilities

Active participation in a structured graduate program.

Research associates have to complete the doctoral qualification program and to write a doctoral dissertation in Economics, Philosophy or Political Science on a topic related to the research program of the graduate program. Presence in Hamburg is required (except for research-related absences).

Your profile

A university degree in the field(s) of Economics (Master), Philosophy (Master) or Political Science (Master) or in an interdisciplinary Master’s program involving these disciplines. The Master’s program should be closely related to the graduate program. On completion of the Master’s degree (including a Bachelor’s degree) applicants must have reached the equivalent of 300 ECTS points. The Master’s degree must have been awarded by a recognized university or equivalent institution of higher education by the start of the position. Research associates must have an excellent command of English.

We offer

• Reliable remuneration based on wage agreements
• Continuing education opportunities
• University pensions
• Attractive location
• Flexible working hours
• Work-life balance opportunities
• Health management, EGYM Wellpass
• Educational leave
• 30 days of vacation per annum

We offer

Universität Hamburg—University of Excellence is one of the strongest research educational institutions in Germany. Our work in research, teaching, educational and knowledge exchange activities is fostering the next generation of responsible global citizens ready to tackle the global challenges facing us. Our guiding principle “Innovating and Cooperating for a Sustainable Future in a digital age” drives collaboration with academic and nonacademic partner institutions in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region and around the world. We would like to invite you to be part of our community to work with us in creating sustainable and digital change for a dynamic and pluralist society.

The University of Hamburg is committed to equity. Diversity enriches our university life, whether in our studies, research, teaching, education, or workplace. We therefore welcome all applications, regardless of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic or social background, age, religion or belief, disability, or chronic illness.

Severely disabled and disabled applicants with the same status will receive preference over equally qualified non-disabled applicants.

Instructions for applying

Contact
https://www.uni-hamburg.de/cdm

[email protected]

Reference number
19

Location
Von-Melle-Park 9
20146 Hamburg
To Google Maps

Application deadline
31.03.2026

Use only the online application form to submit your application as 1 single PDF with the following documents:

• tabular curriculum vitae
• personal statement (should describe general academic interests and fit with the graduate program)
• outline of a research project the candidate would like to pursue (about 1000 words)
• copies of degree certificate(s) and transcripts of records for previous studies (Bachelor and Master)
• two academic reference letters
• substantial academic writing sample of about 5000 words (e.g. an excerpt of the candidate’s master’s thesis or a term paper)

Reference letters may be sent separately to [email protected] by mentioning the application reference number 19.

Online interviews with shortlisted candidates will be scheduled in April or May 2026. Successful candidates will be informed shortly after the interviews.

If you experience technical problems, send an email to [email protected].

More information on data protection in selection procedures.