Doctoral Researcher in Health Economics

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:
1. Effects of policy interventions in the area of family economics on health outcomes throughout the lifecycle.
2. How health care services by general practitioners (GPs) should be organised enhancing patient outcomes and equity across health systems.have a good command of English and German.

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 tasks:
• 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 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.

We offer you:
• 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.
• HEPARD-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.
• Family-friendly policies including childcare support.
• Excellent public transport connections.

The position is full-time (39.83 hours/week) and is initially limited to a period of three years. An extension is possible and desirable; the duration of the fixed-term contract is based on the desired qualification. Remuneration is based on the collective agreement for the public sector of the federal states (TV-L) with the special rules for employees at universities and research institutions in accordance with the responsibilities associated with the position in TV-L E13 at 100% (approximately 4,629.74 € gross per month). Compliance with the guidelines for severely disabled persons and the provisions of the law on part-time work is guaranteed. We promote professional equality for all genders.

For more information about the position, please contact Prof. Dr. Hendrik Schmitz (hendrik-schmitz@rwi-essen.de), and for more information about the application process, please contact Mr. Tilo Schneider (humanresources@rwi-essen.de). Please send your application documents (cover letter, resume, relevant certificates, etc.), preferably by email, quoting the reference number 70100-17/25 by January 19, 2026, to

RWI – Leibniz Institute for Economic Research
Mr. Tilo Schneider
PO Box 10 30 54, 45030 Essen
humanresources@rwi-essen.de

For more information on the Institute, please visit https://www.rwi-essen.de

_{Please note, when you submit your application by email your data will be unencrypted, which may result in third parties to note and falsify your documents. Therefore, you can also submit your application by post.}

More Information