PhD Position (f/m/d)

Karlsruher Institut für Technologie; Karlsruhe; On-site; EUR 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working hours

Remote work options

30 days annual leave

KIT Family+ childcare

Fitness & mental health programs

JobTicketBW €25 monthly contribution

Corporate pension (VBL)

Job summary

Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT) invites applications for a PhD position in the Cognition and Consumer Behavior Lab. The project focuses on variability and risk, with behavioral experiments bridging cognitive psychology and economics.

A master’s degree is required, with strong English skills and methodological strength. The four-year funding and access to a well-equipped lab support extensive research and conference travel.

Qualifications

• Excellent oral and written skills in English.
• Solid methodological and statistical knowledge.
• Prior experience with R, Python, or any programming language is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Conduct excellent research and publish in international journals.
• Support research and teaching activities at the KIT Cognition and Consumer Behavior Lab.
• Develop and test quantitative models of judgment and choice behavior.
• Conduct behavioral experiments at the intersection of cognitive psychology and economics.

Skills

English proficiency

Statistical knowledge

Programming (R/Python)

Education

Master's degree

Tools

R

Python

Job description

Your Tasks

Successful candidates are expected to conduct excellent research, publish in international journals, and support the research and teaching activities at the KIT Cognition and Consumer Behavior Lab. A key research focus will be on how people perceive variability and risk. The position is particularly interesting for people who enjoy conducting behavioral experiments at the intersection between cognitive psychology and economics and who are motivated to develop and test quantitative models of judgment and choice behavior.

Your Profile

Applicants should have a background in Psychology, Cognitive Science, Behavioral Economics, or a related field. Further requirements are excellent oral and written skills in English, solid methodological and statistical knowledge, and a dedication to scientific research. Prior experience with either R, Python, or any other programming language is desirable. For the PhD position, a master’s degree (or an equivalent degree) is a requirement.

The position has a funding duration of up to 4 years. It provides excellent resources, including a well-equipped behavioral laboratory for conducting experiments and funds for research and conference travel. The lab is part of the KIT Institute of Customer Insights within the Faculty of Economics and Management.

We Offer

• Science for Impact: Engage with topics of societal relevance—in an excellent scientific environment that enables change.
• Career‑Building and Developmental Opportunities: We provide you with a structured onboarding program, a broad spectrum of continuing‑education options, and personalised support, thereby fostering your individual growth.
• Flexible Working Hours: Take advantage of flexible‑hours schemes, remote‑work options, and a 30‑day annual leave entitlement to achieve an optimal work‑life balance.
• Family-friendliness: The “KIT‑Family+” program assists you in reconciling work and family life by offering childcare services, holiday activities, a parent‑child office space, and assistance with caring for relatives.
• Stay Healthy: Under the motto “Fit at KIT – Body, Mind and Soul,” we promote your well‑being through fitness classes and mental‑health programmes.
• Individualised Extra Benefits: Enjoy a corporate pension (VBL), a €25 monthly contribution toward a JobTicketBW, plus a broad selection of cultural and recreational programmes.

Job location Karlsruhe (and Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen)

Salary Salary category 13 TV-L; classification is based on personal and professional qualifications.

Contract duration 4 years

Contact person in line-management Prof. Dr. Benjamin Scheibehenne [e-mail]

If you have general questions about the application process, please contact JuliaBoldt Personalservice (PSE) [e-mail]

At KIT we value the diversity of our employees; different perspectives and backgrounds enrich our work. We therefore welcome applications from all candidates. Women are especially encouraged to apply.Applications from recognized severely disabled individuals are given preferential consideration when qualifications are equal.

Application up to: 2026-10-31