Doctoral researchers in the DFG Graduate Program “Collective Decision-Making” (12 positions) § 28 Subsection 3 HmbHG
InstitutionFaculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities
Salary level
Start date01.11.2026, 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 deadline31.03.2026
Scope of workpart-time
Weekly hours75 % 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) ofEconomics (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
1. Reliable remuneration based on wage agreements
2. Continuing education opportunities
3. University pensions
4. Attractive location
5. Flexible working hours
6. Work-life balance opportunities
7. Health management, EGYM Wellpass
8. Educational leave
9. 30 days of vacation per annum
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.