Call for Applications: 8 Doctoral Positions at the Graduate School of the Social and Behavioural Sciences (GSBS)

The University of Konstanz is a dynamic and internationally successful research university with approximately 10,000 students. The campus university’s architecture promotes interdisciplinary cooperation and a sense of community among researchers, lecturers and students. The University of Konstanz has been continuously funded by the German Excellence Strategy since 2006.

The GSBS offers a first-rate structured doctoral programme, which brings together doctoral candidates from six disciplines (economics, linguistics, political science and public administration, psychology, sociology and statistics) to undertake high quality research in the social and behavioural sciences. Aside from a subject-specific focus, doctoral candidates can opt for an interdisciplinary specialisation in “Decision Sciences” or “Inequality”.

This year, we are particularly interested to fill positions with candidates interested in:

• Macroeconomics (Professor Stefan Niemann) (1 position)
• The Politics of Inequality (7 positions).

What we offer

• A comprehensive training programme of courses, research seminars and research colloquia, which provides doctoral candidates with the tools to complete their doctorate in line with the highest international standards.
• A vibrant research community of professors, junior professors, postdoctoral candidates, guest lecturers and doctoral candidates engaged in frontier research.
• All University Departments involved in the GSBS belong to the premier departments of their kind in Germany and enjoy an outstanding reputation in teaching and research. The Cluster of Excellence "The Politics of Inequality" also contributes to the training and research measures of the GSBS.
• Supervision of each doctoral candidate by two professors and an external adviser, who match the candidate’s research interests and provide guidance and support regarding doctoral training, the doctoral thesis and career plans.
• A wide network of international and national partners, providing opportunities for research stays, contact to external advisers and conference or workshop participation.
• Targeted career preparation to facilitate entry into academic positions at leading universities and research institutions, or into top positions in the private sector or the public service.
• The University’s first-rate infrastructure includes its award-winning 24-hour open library, state-of-the-art computer facilities and the provision of German and other foreign language courses.
• Constance is one of Germany’s choice destinations. Its unique setting on the shores of Lake Constance and the River Rhine, as well as its proximity to the Alps, Switzerland, Austria and France, make it the ideal location for study and leisure.

What we expect

• An outstanding Master’s degree (completed or pending) in a subject relevant to the open positions.
• A high level of motivation to conduct academic research, a solid background in the relevant methods, English language proficiency and a definite interest in the open positions, as documented by your application and supporting documents (cv, statement of purpose, academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.).

Further information about admissions requirements.

Please apply for the positions via the University’s application portal:

• Here for Macroeconomics
• Here for the Politics of Inequality

Application deadline for admission in October 2026: 15th April 2026.