Ph.D. Candidate – Digital Platform Ecosystems in Developing Countries

About the Position

The University of Passau’s Chair of Development Economics, led by Professor Michael Grimm, in collaboration with the DFG Research Training Group 2720 “Digital Platform Ecosystems” (DPE), invites applications for the position of a Doctoral Researcher (Ph.D. Candidate). This role focuses on exploring the opportunities and risks associated with digital platforms in developing countries.

The successful candidate will have the unique opportunity to engage in field experiments and various forms of field research in Sub-Saharan Africa and Indonesia. The research will revolve around understanding the potential impact of Digital Platform Ecosystems on businesses, agriculture, health, and education. This is a fully funded position at 75% FTE (Fixed Term Contract) for an initial three-year term with the possibility of renewal.

The remuneration for this position aligns with pay grade E13 of the German public-sector collective agreement, TV-L, and will be determined based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Employer: University of Passau

Location: Passau, Germany

Application Deadline: Open until filled (Review begins on October 31, 2023)

What They Seek

The ideal candidate should possess the following qualifications:

• An excellent master’s degree in economics or a related field of study.
• Proficiency in analytical and econometric skills, including handling large and complex microdata sets in STATA.
• A strong passion for development economics.
• The ability to collaborate within a multidisciplinary team, open-mindedness, and self-motivation to conduct research independently.
• Strong proficiency in both spoken and written English. Knowledge of German is not a requirement.

What They Offer

The selected candidate will benefit from:

• The opportunity to pursue a doctoral degree at a prestigious German university within a highly reputable research team.
• Membership in the interdisciplinary Research Training Group 2720 Digital Platform Ecosystems, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG).
• A personal research budget for conference attendance and the hiring of student assistants.
• No formal teaching obligations, but opportunities to engage in the Chair’s teaching activities.
• A structured doctoral program, fully funded research visits abroad, external course programs (summer schools, workshops), co-supervision by international scholars, and more. The program is designed for students to complete their doctoral degrees within three years.
• Regular participation in international conferences, integration into a global research network, and contributions to public discourse.
• Access to excellent infrastructure, including IT equipment, on one of Germany’s most beautiful university campuses.

• Fully Funded University Winter Courses in Germany: Enhance Your Language and Cultural Knowledge
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How to Apply

For detailed information on the application process, please visit www.dpe.uni-passau.de/en/application.

You can submit your application at any time, as they will accept applications until the position is filled. Review of applications will begin on October 31, 2023.

This position falls under Research Area C.2, with primary supervision by Professor Michael Grimm. If you have any further questions, please contact michael.grimm@uni-passau.de.

The University of Passau is committed to increasing the proportion of female staff and encourages women to apply. This position is also suitable for candidates with disabilities. Applicants with disabilities receive preference over non-disabled applicants with similar qualifications. Emailed applications will be kept on file for six months after the appointment procedure concludes, after which they will be deleted from the system. Please visit the data privacy statement for more information.