Doctoral Student

SSRN; Vallendar; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management invites applications for a doctoral researcher position at the Vallendar campus. The role focuses on experimental accounting research with topics like reporting decisions, performance measurement, incentives, misreporting, sustainability, and AI in accounting.

You will develop and conduct independent research, present at conferences, and contribute to courses while pursuing WHU’s structured doctoral programme.

Qualifications

• Above-average master’s degree in accounting, economics, finance, business administration, or a related field.
• Strong interest in behavioral and experimental research; accounting questions a plus.
• Proficiency in at least one statistical programming language (R, Stata, Python) and excellent written/spoken English.
• German proficiency not required; analytical, critical-thinking, and quantitative skills valued.

Responsibilities

• Develop and conduct independent research in behavioral accounting using experiments (lab/online/field).
• Present research internally at WHU and at academic conferences; work toward publication.
• Contribute to courses in financial and management accounting; gain teaching experience.
• Participate in WHU’s structured doctoral programme with coursework, seminars, and colloquia.

Skills

Analytical skills

Experimental research methods

Statistical inference

Education

Masters degree in accounting/economics/finance/business administration

Tools

R

Stata

Python

Job description

Organization

WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management

Location

Vallendar campus

Posted

13 Aug 2026

Doctoral Student

The Chair of Behavioral Accounting at WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management, led by Professor Victor van Pelt, invites applications for a doctoral researcher position (f/m/d) at the Vallendar campus.

The position is intended for candidates pursuing an academic career who are interested in experimental accounting research. Potential research topics include reporting decisions, management controls, performance measurement and feedback, incentives, misreporting, sustainability, and the use of artificial intelligence in accounting.

Your responsibilities will include developing and conducting independent research in behavioral accounting using laboratory, online, or field experiments. You will also present your research internally at WHU and at academic conferences while working toward publication in leading academic journals. In addition, you will contribute to courses in financial and management accounting, gaining valuable teaching experience at one of Germany’s top business schools. Lastly, you will participate in WHU’s structured doctoral programme, including methodological and theoretical coursework, research seminars, and doctoral colloquia.

Your qualifications should include an above-average master’s degree in accounting, economics, finance, business administration, or a related field. You should also have a strong interest in behavioral and experimental research. It is an added advantage if this interest extends to accounting questions. We also expect proficiency in at least one statistical programming language, such as R, Stata, or Python, as well as excellent written and spoken English; German proficiency is not required. Your application will benefit from demonstrated analytical, critical-thinking, and quantitative skills. Familiarity with experimental design, statistical inference, and academic research methods is also a significant advantage. A final qualification that would distinguish you as a particularly strong candidate is the successful completion of a research-oriented graduate programme, such as a research master’s programme or a similar qualification.

About the Organization

WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management is an internationally oriented business school with campuses in Vallendar and Düsseldorf. The Chair of Behavioral Accounting is part of WHU’s Finance and Accounting Group, which organizes regular research seminars, reading groups, and other activities supporting doctoral development.

Doctoral researchers have access to WHU’s research infrastructure, including laboratory and online participant-recruitment resources, methodological training, and support for conference participation.

WHU is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds.