3 PhD Positions in Empirical Economics & Data Science

3 PhD Positions in Empirical Economics & Data Science

The Professorship of Empirical Economics & Data Science at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Campus Heilbronn – part of the Heilbronn Data Science Center and the TUM School of Management – invites applications for PhD position, starting as soon as possible for an initial duration of four years.

Research Focus

The Professorship of Empirical Economics & Data Science offers a broad and interdisciplinary research environment at the intersection of econometrics, innovation policy, and technology management. Candidates are encouraged to pursue research across this portfolio, depending on their interests and strengths.
At the same time, a central focus of the professorship lies on causal data science, and applicants with an interest or background in this area are particularly encouraged to apply. As AI systems become increasingly influential in economic and managerial decision-making, important challenges remain regarding fairness, reliability, and transparency. Causal AI addresses these issues by moving beyond purely correlational approaches and focusing on cause-and-effect relationships.
Research within the professorship also explores the broader societal and managerial implications of causal AI, including its role in shaping decision-making, organizational design, and firm strategy. By combining rigorous empirical methods with interdisciplinary perspectives, we aim to better understand how these technologies can be effectively and responsibly deployed in business and society.

About us

The TUM Campus Heilbronn is part of the renowned Technical University of Munich (TUM), one of Europe’s leading universities. It is distinguished by excellence in research and teaching, a strong commitment to interdisciplinarity, and the development of outstanding talent. TUM also maintains close collaborations with companies and research institutions worldwide and is among Germany’s first three Universities of Excellence.
The TUM School of Management is the first management school at a technical university in Germany to receive Triple Crown accreditation (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS) – a distinction held by only around 1% of business schools worldwide.
The Professorship of Empirical Economics & Data Science is affiliated with the Department of Economics and Policy at the TUM School of Management and the Heilbronn Data Science Center. HDSR is dedicated to interdisciplinary research in data science and artificial intelligence, with a focus on applications in business and society. Our goal is to create value for academia, industry, and policymakers through practice-oriented research and innovative, data-driven solutions.

Your tasks

• Contribute to high-quality publications in leading international journals
• Present research at international conferences
• Teach and contribute to the development of courses within the Bachelor’s and Master’s programs of the TUM School of Management at Campus Heilbronn
• Supervise Bachelor’s and Master’s theses
• Collaborate with academic and industry partners and support the organization of academic conference
• Support administrative and organizational tasks

Your profile

• Master’s degree in Economics, Data Science, Management, or a related field
• Strong background in quantitative methods and statistics; experience in causal inference and econometrics is a plus
• Strong programming skills in Python, R, or comparable languages
• Ability to conduct independent, rigorous research
• Experience with large datasets is advantageous
• Excellent communication skills in English (written and spoken)
• Strong organizational and teamwork skills

We offer...

• A highly interdisciplinary and collaborative research environment
• Close integration into the Heilbronn Data Science Center
• Opportunities to publish and present at top international venues
• Access to a global academic and industry network
• A diverse, inclusive, and international workplace
• Structured training and professional development opportunities

Employment Conditions

PhD positions are initially funded at 75% (TV-L E13), with the possibility of increasing to 100%
The position is suitable for applicants with disabilities. Applicants with disabilities will be given preference in cases of equal suitability, aptitude, and professional performance. TUM is committed to increasing the proportion of women in its workforce and explicitly encourages applications from qualified women.

Application

We look forward to receiving your application documents (cover letter, CV, academic transcripts, and references, if available) by 30 May 2026, as a single PDF document via e-mail to jobs.udsm@mgt.tum.de (contact person: Ms. Elke Kröber) using the subject “PhD Empirical Economics and Data Science.”

You may also submit your application by post to:
TUM School of Management
UDSM
Elke Kröber
Bildungscampus 2
74076 Heilbronn

Please note that application documents sent by post should be copies only, as we are unable to return them after the selection process has been completed.

Note on data protection:
As part of your application for a position at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), you submit personal data. Please note our data protection information in accordance with Art. 13 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on the collection and processing of personal data in the context of your application. By submitting your application, you confirm that you have taken note of TUM's data protection information.