The project, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) studies how early warning systems can improve decision-making in socio-ecological systems that may exhibit tipping points. It combines economic theory and experiments to develop and test design principles for warning systems that differ across decision environments ranging from one-shot to dynamic settings and from single-agent to strategic multi-agent interaction.
The postdoctoral researcher will be based in Kaiserslautern and, under the supervision of Prof. Daniel Heyen, will lead the theoretical analysis of the project. The successful candidate will work on formal models of decision-making under uncertainty, learning, and strategic interaction, and will collaborate closely with the project’s experimental team at the University of Augsburg.
Your area of responsibility:
1. Lead and further develop the project’s theoretical work packages on early warning systems and tipping risks
2. Develop analytical and numerical models of decision-making under uncertainty
3. Work on one-shot and dynamic optimization problems with learning
4. Analyze strategic multi-agent settings using game-theoretic tools
5. Contribute to joint theory-experiment integration within the project
6. Present research at international conferences and prepare papers for submission to leading journals
7. Contribute to project coordination and collaboration within the Kaiserslautern–Augsburg team
Your requirements profile:
8. A relevant, successfully completed academic degree and PhD in economics, mathematics, or a closely related field
9. Strong background in economic theory, especially one or more of the following: decision theory, dynamic optimization, game theory, information economics, environmental economics
10. Excellent analytical skills and experience conducting independent theoretical research
11. Strong interest in questions related to uncertainty, learning, climate or environmental tipping points, or the value of information
12. Ability and willingness to collaborate in an interdisciplinary project linking theory and experiments
13. Very good English skills, written and spoken
14. Experience with numerical methods and programming (for example Python, Matlab, Julia, or R) is desirable
We offer:
Health promotion
Family Service Center
Vocational Training
Flexible working hour and
home office
Jobticket
Retirement provision
Sport & Fitness programms
Culture & Leisure offers
Local recreation in the Palatinate Forest
RPTU stands for diversity among all employees. We welcome applications from all interested parties, regardless of their ethnic and social origin, age, religion, gender, disability and sexual orientation or identity. Preference will be given to severely disabled persons and persons equivalent to them if they have the appropriate qualifications and suitability.
The RPTU aims to increase the proportion of women in areas where women are underrepresented. Applications from researchers from abroad are expressly encouraged. The position can also be filled on a part-time basis.