PhD in Economics, Accounting, Finance or Management at Berlin School of Economics, Germany

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin; Deutschland; Vor Ort; EUR 60.000 - 80.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A leading German university is inviting applications for its PhD program in economics, starting in October 2026. Candidates are expected to have a Master’s degree and a strong background in economics or business studies. The program includes funding during the qualification phase and offers a unique research environment. Applications are accepted until January 15, 2026, through the online portal.

Leistungen

Monthly stipend of 1,650 Euros

Family allowance for children

Public transport access

Qualifikationen

• Strong background in economics or business required.
• Master's degree or related qualifications preferred.
• Demonstrated English proficiency through tests like TOEFL or IELTS.

Aufgaben

• Participate in the PhD program starting October 2026.
• Engage in a qualification and dissertation phase.
• Conduct independent research with faculty support.

Kenntnisse

English proficiency

Research skills

Ausbildung

Master’s degree in economics or business studies

Bachelor's degree with fast-track option

Jobbeschreibung

Organisation/Company Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Department Berlin School of Economics Research Field Economics Economics » Applied economics Economics » Econometrics Economics » Economic theory Economics » Financial science Economics » Macroeconomics Economics » Management studies Economics » Microeconomics Management sciences Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country Germany Application Deadline 15 Jan 2026 - 23:59 (UTC) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Offer Starting Date 1 Oct 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The Berlin School of Economics offers career development programs in economics, accounting, finance and management at the PhD and Postdoc levels in a single and unique structure. Nine major institutions active in economics research in the Berlin-Brandenburg are a cooperate within the Berlin School of Economics: European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder), Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin, University of Potsdam, ESMT Berlin, Hertie School, ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin Institute for the Economy and the Future of Work (RFBerlin) and WZB Berlin Social Science Center . Together they are pooling their efforts in the education of young researchers in economics.

The Berlin School of Economics is welcoming applications for the new cohort of its PhD Program starting in October 2026.

General structure of the curriculum

The Berlin School of Economics PhD Program provides outstanding doctoral students with a vibrant, intensively networked research community. The program develops the students’ talents in a unique combination of a high-level, academic research environment together with applied, policy-oriented research opportunities. Students receive state-of-the-art coursework training and can select from a wide array of specializations for their doctoral research.

The Berlin School of Economics PhD Program offers four different PhD tracks : PhD in Economics, PhD in Accounting, PhD in Finance, and PhD in Management. All tracks share the same structure and general curriculum, and allow for numerous specializations.

The curriculum is divided in a qualification and a dissertation phase. During the qualification phaseof the program (about three semesters), students acquire methodological and research-oriented training in mandatory and elective courses in economic theory, applied economics, business studies (accounting, finance, management), econometrics, and economic policy. Students define their research area and find supervisory support from two supervisors. They write research proposals that are discussed with faculty members individually and in seminars in order to provide early feedback on the scientific potential of research ideas. This is a central part of the Berlin School of Economics PhD Program, in which the students have full flexibility in the choice of their research topics and of the supervisors. During this phase, students are funded through stipends that allow for this flexibility. A minimum of 90 ECTS credits have to be obtained in order to finish the qualification phase of the program.

During the subsequent dissertation phaseof the program (about three to four years), students write their doctoral thesis while having the opportunity to apply their knowledge in the professional research environment that is provided at the research institutions participating in the Berlin School of Economics. During this phase, students are typically employed at the research institution their supervisor is affiliated with. The PhD will be awarded by the Berlin School of Economics institution one of the student’s supervisors is affiliated with.

Graduates of the Berlin School of Economics PhD Program are excellently prepared for positions in academia as well as for policy-related institutions and organizations, which has been documented by a list of outstanding placements .

Applicants should have a Master’s degree in economics or business studies. Applicants from related fields (such as industrial engineering, statistics, or quantitative social sciences) may also fulfill the admission requirements if they have a sufficient background in economics or business studies.

Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree are eligible to apply for the program if they also apply for a Master’s program offering a fast track option.

Applicants whose native language is not English are asked to demonstrate their English language proficiency, unless they hold a degree from a university in an English-speaking country or can document at least one year of studies at an English-speaking university. Sufficient evidence of a good command of English can be demonstrated with a high score in the “Test of English as a Foreign Language” (TOEFL) or the “International English Language Testing System” (IELTS). Providing TOEFL or IELTS scores is highly recommended but not mandatory.

All applicants are asked to provide GRE General Test scores with their application. Providing GRE General Test scores is highly recommended but not mandatory.

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

Additional Information

Berlin School of Economics students will receive funding for the expected length of the program. For the Qualification Phase, a monthly stipend of 1,650 Euros and a family allowance for your children (if applicable) is provided; funding during the Dissertation Phase is normally provided through employment at one of the Berlin School of Economics member institutions. Funding for the Dissertation Phase is conditional on having fulfilled the program's performance criteria.

Note that the Berlin School of Economics institutions charge a semester fee of approximately 300-350 Euros per semester. Among other benefits, this provides access to public transport in Berlin at no additional cost.

Selection process

Applications may only be sent during the application period via Berlin School of Economics Application Portal (the link to the online portal is available only during the application period). Applications sent outside of this application period via email will not be considered.

Applications for an intake into the Berlin School of Economics PhD Program in October 2026 will be accepted via online application portal until January 15, 2026 (CET).

All information on the application for the Berlin School of Economics PhD Program can be found on the official website .