Research Assistant / Associate (f/m/d) in the field of Network or Spatial Econometrics

Research Assistant / Associate (f/m/d) in the field of Network or Spatial Econometrics

Applied Econometrics Teaching and Research Unit

Contact:

Sabine Ott
Lehr- und Forschungsgebiet Angewandte Ökonometrie
Tel.: +49 241 80‑96034
Email: sabine.ott@ae.rwth-aachen.de

Additional Contact

Prof. Dr. Michaela Kesina
Lehr- und Forschungsgebiet Angewandte Ökonometrie
Tel.: +49 241 80‑96034
Email: michaela.kesina@ae.rwth-aachen.de

Please send your application by June 26, 2026, including the usual documents (cover letter, CV, academic transcripts), by email. In your cover letter, please provide a brief outline of your research interests. One letter of recommendation is required and should be sent directly by the referee to Mrs. S. Ott.

About us

RWTH is proud to be certified as a family-friendly university. As part of our Campus Health initiative, RWTH offers a wide range of health, counseling, and prevention services, including university sports. Employees under collective bargaining agreements and civil servants also benefit from a comprehensive continuing education program and the option to purchase a job ticket for convenient commuting. RWTH is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified candidates and make employment decisions without regard to national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability or age. RWTH is especially committed to supporting the advancement of women in academia. When women are underrepresented in a university unit, preferential consideration will be given to female applicants among candidates of equal merit and professional standing, unless compelling reasons favor another individual. In keeping with RWTH’s commitment to equality of opportunity, we ask that you do not include a photo with your application.

Our Profile

Within the framework of the newly established chair, a doctoral position (f/m/d) is to be filled. The research group of Prof. Dr. Kesina focuses on the development of innovative econometric estimation methods in microeconometrics. Particular emphasis is placed on network econometrics and spatial econometrics, which model various forms of interdependence, structural dependence, and spillover effects between observational units. The aim is to combine methodologically rigorous approaches with the analysis of practically relevant and socially significant research questions. Empirical applications include fields such as international economics, energy economics, regional economics and firm behavior.

We offer

• Participation in an innovative and developing research environment, with the opportunity to actively shape the emerging research group
• Access to an international network of leading researchers in econometrics
• Close supervision and support throughout the PhD process
• Opportunities to attend conferences, workshops, and summer schools
• Modern infrastructure and access to relevant software and data resources

Your Profile

• Excellent master’s degree (or comparable) in economics, econometrics, statistics, mathematics or a related field
• Strong background in econometrics and a keen interest in methodologically oriented research
• Experience with statistical software (e.g., Stata, R, Python, or Matlab)
• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken
• Very good command of German (minimum C1 level)
• Independent and analytically driven working style
• Prior teaching experience is an asset

Your Duties and Responsibilities

• Independent research as part of a PhD project in the field of network econometrics or spatial econometrics
• Development and empirical evaluation of econometric methods for modeling interdependencies
• Contribution to academic publications and presentations at international conferences
• Active involvement in teaching and supervision of students, including the supervision of bachelor’s and master’s theses and the delivery of tutorials and courses in both German and English

What We Offer

The successful candidate will be employed under a regular employment contract. The position is to be filled at the earliest possible date and offered for a fixed term of two years. It is intended to extend the initial contract period by one year. The option to extend the contract for three further years is available. The fixed-term employment is possible as it constitutes one of the fixed-term options of the Wissenschafts­zeitvertrags­gesetz (German Act on Fixed-term Scientific Contracts). This is a part-time position (50% of the standard weekly hours for full-time employees). The successful candidate has the opportunity to pursue a doctoral degree in this position. The salary is based on the German public service salary scale (TV‑L). The position corresponds to a pay grade of EG 13 TV‑L.

More Information