Doctoral Researcher (2 positions) in Health Economics

RWI - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research; Deutschland; Vor Ort; EUR 40.000 - 60.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A leading research institute in Essen seeks two Doctoral Researchers for its Health Economics Department. The positions involve conducting independent research, analyzing health outcomes, and are part of an interdisciplinary European network. Candidates should have strong quantitative skills, knowledge of health economics preferred, and must not hold a doctoral degree. Remote opportunities and academic exchanges with top universities are included, along with competitive pay.

Leistungen

Family-friendly policies

Professional development opportunities

Excellent transport connections

Qualifikationen

• Candidates must not already be in possession of a doctoral degree.
• Knowledge of health or public economics is ideal.
• Intellectual curiosity and interest in policy-relevant research.

Aufgaben

• Conduct independent research within the HEPARD project.
• Analyze administrative data for health outcomes.
• Engage with European project partners through institutional visits.

Kenntnisse

Strong quantitative skills

Advanced training in econometrics

Data analysis

Simulation modelling

Programming in Stata, R, or Python

Ausbildung

Master Degree or equivalent

Jobbeschreibung

RWI - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research

Organisation/Company RWI - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research Department Health Economics Research Field Economics » Health economics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country Germany Application Deadline 19 Jan 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Berlin) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 39.5 Offer Starting Date 1 May 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number 101226455 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The RWI – Leibniz Institute for Economic Researchis seeking, for the Health Economics Department in Essen, a

Doctoral Researcher (2 positions)(Pay grade 13 TV-L,100 %)

The positions are part of HEPARD (Health Economic Policy Advice with Real-world Data), a European interdisciplinary doctoral training network funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie programme (MSCA). HEPARD equips early-career researchers with solid theoretical foundations, advanced empirical methods, and the ability to collaborate across disciplines.

Each candidate will focus on one of the following two areas:

• Effects of policy interventions in the area of family economics on health outcomes throughout the lifecycle.
• How health care services by general practitioners (GPs) should be organised enhancing patient outcomes and equity across health systems.

Key objectives include:

• Examine Health Outcomes: Carry out empirical analyses to study health outcomes of policy interventions in one of the two areas.
• Contribute to Policy Discussions: Provide evidence-based recommendations for policies based on the results.

Position 1 includes a three-months research stay at University of Oslo. Position 2 includes a three-months research stay at Tilburg University. Both positions include a two-months internship at a practitioner partner.

Your responsibilities:

• You conduct independent research within the HEPARD project, contributing to the development and application of simulation-based models, causal inference methods, and advanced empirical techniques in health economics.
• You analyse rich administrative data including German sickness fund claims and/or Dutch insurance data.
• You engage with European project partners through institutional visits, secondments (academic and non-academic), workshops, conferences, and joint research activities.
• You participate in HEPARD’s structured, interdisciplinary doctoral training programme, which integrates economics, epidemiology, public health, data science, microeconometrics, policy engagement and transferable skills (e.g. leadership, communication, grant writing).
• You contribute to network-wide research seminars, journal clubs, online meetings and scholarly exchange formats (blended learning).
• You are a part of the health department at RWI and actively contribute to our goals.
• You disseminate research results through presentations, academic publications, and contributions to policy dialogue.
• You work towards your doctoral qualification within the programme.

We are looking for candidates with:

• Strong quantitative skills, with advanced training in econometrics, data analysis, and/or simulation modelling.
• A solid background in economics or a closely related field, ideally with knowledge of health or public economics.
• Programming experience in Stata, R, or Python.
• Intellectual curiosity, analytical rigour, and a keen interest in policy-relevant research.
• Eligibility in accordance with the MSCA mobility rule: candidates must not have lived or carried out their main activity (work or studies) in Germany for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date. Exceptions apply only for compulsory national service (for example mandatory military or civilian service) or recognised refugee status under the Geneva Convention.
• Candidates must not already be in possession of a doctoral degree.

Both positions offer:

• A robust methodological component, including methods from causal inference at the research frontier.
• A strong policy orientation, contributing evidence-based recommendations to improve social policy and the organisation of health care delivery to address socioeconomic inequalities.
• An interdisciplinary research environment, integrating economics, public health, and data science.
• Participation in network-wide activities including training in health economics, microeconometrics, policy engagement, and transferable skills.
• Academic secondments with international partners (Universities of Oslo and Tilburg) offering collaboration and cross-country research experience.
• The remuneration is commensurate with the grades stipulated in the public sector agreements TV-L E13 at 100% (approximately 4,629.74 € gross per month).

The doctoral training programme in particular offers:

• Core courses in health economics, causal inference, microeconometrics, health inequalities, medical epidemiology, and healthcare decision-making.
• Electives covering data science, public health, implementation science, and empirical microeconomics.
• Two secondments: one academic, fostering research collaboration and methodological expertise, and one non-academic, providing real-world policy and practice experience.
• Network-wide workshops and conferences fostering interdisciplinary exchange and policy engagement.
• Regular online meetings featuring research seminars and journal clubs.
• Career development sessions including leadership, team building, and grant writing.

In addition, the RWI offers:

• Family-friendly policies including childcare support
• A broad range of professional development and training opportunities
• Contact to many other researchers from related fields such as labour economics, education economics or environmental economics
• Excellent public transport connections

Please submit (in English):

• Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages recommended).
• Motivation letter outlining your interest in the position and your relevant experience.
• Research statement describing your research interests and their relevance to the project (maximum 1500 words).
• Names and contact details of two academic references .
• Degree transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's and Master's degrees (if the Master’s degree is ongoing, please provide current transcripts).

Interviews are expected to take place in mid-February.

Where to apply

E-mail [e-mail]

Requirements

Research Field Economics » Health economics Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Additional Information

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available 2 Company/Institute RWI - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research Country Germany State/Province North Rhine-Westphalia City Essen Postal Code 45128 Street Hohenzollernstraße 1-3