Junior Researcher / PreDoc (Kiel or Berlin)
The Kiel Institute for the World Economy is looking for up to two highly motivated Junior Researchers / PreDocs to join our dynamic research team at the Kiel Institute for the World Economy. The positions are almost full-time (75-90 percent). One position should be based in Kiel and another one optional in Kiel or in our Research Hub in Berlin. Both positions are linked to the research group by Prof. Christoph Trebesch and his ERC project on Great Power Finance.
The two positions have the following focus, respectively:
- Digital chokepoints: geopolitical risk and telecom networks
- International capital flows: great powers and cross-border investments across 200 years
Your Role
Your main role will be to contribute to cutting-edge research on one or two of the projects. The work will involve extensive data collection and rigorous empirical analysis using historical and contemporary sources. A particular focus of these roles will be archival research and the construction of novel datasets from historical records and documents related to telecommunications, computer science, financial assets and international capital flows.
As part of Christoph Trebesch’s research group, you will work closely with senior researchers on high-impact projects in macroeconomics, economic history, and political economy. The positions offer an excellent opportunity to gain advanced research experience, develop strong empirical skills, and contribute to internationally visible academic work.
Your Profile
We are looking for a candidate who meets the following criteria:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in economics (completed or close to completion) with very good grades.
- Strong quantitative and empirical skills and experience, particularly:
- For position (1): experience with data on telecommunication and computer science
- For position (2): experience with data on financial assets and/or international capital flows, ideally also historical financial data
- Experience with advanced AI tools and statistical software such as Stata, R, and/or Python.
- Interest in historical research and archival work.
- Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in an international research environment.
- Excellent analytical and organizational skills, attention to detail, and commitment to high-quality research.
- The working language is English; excellent English skills are therefore required. Some knowledge of German would be useful, but is not important.
We are offering
The planned contract period is 10 months (starting in the fall of 2026). The salary will be based on the German public sector pay scale at grade EG 12 or 13 TV L. The position is part-time between 75-90%.
The Kiel Institute for the World Economy values diversity. We welcome applications regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. The Kiel Institute is an equal opportunity employer with a certified family-friendly policy. We promote the professional opportunities of women and strongly encourage them to apply. Women with equivalent qualifications, competence and expertise will be given preference. We are committed to employing persons with recognized disabilities and will therefore give them preference over persons without disabilities if they are equally qualified.
In order to be eligible for this position you have to hold EU citizenship or need to be able to provide a work permit that is valid throughout the time of your contract.
Please submit your application online using ID-No. “PreDoc_2026”. Please include (i) a letter of interest, (ii) your CV, (iii) one or two work samples (e.g. Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis), (iv) university transcripts, as well as (if applicable) (v) proofs of relevant work experience. Ideally submit just one PDF, including “PreDoc” and your family name as file name. The deadline for applications is September 7, 2026 Application photos should not be included.
For additional information, please contact Prof. Christoph Trebesch.
