PhD Position in Federal and Regional Financial Relations, University of Bremen, Germany

Summary

The University of Bremen seeks a part‑time (50%) scientific staff member (PhD candidate) in the Department of Economics to work on federal and regional financial relations. The three‑year contract is funded by a TV‑L salary ranging from €57,112 to €81,176 annually, with additional benefits such as pension, vacation, flexible hours and research support. Responsibilities include teaching duties, preparation of materials, grading, tutoring, participation in research projects, workshops, publications and conducting independent doctoral research. Applicants must hold a master’s degree (or be in the final phase), demonstrate strong analytical skills, and have good German and English proficiency. The position offers an attractive research environment with international collaborations.

Key Facts

Employer	University of Bremen
Department	Fachbereich 7 – Wirtschaftswissenschaft
Position Type	Scientific staff (PhD candidate)
Discipline	Economics
Research Area	Federal and regional financial relations
Degree Required	Master degree
Salary	€57,112.44 – €81,176.28 per year
Funding	Salary according to TV-L
Contract Duration	3 years
Language	German and English
Deadline	2026-11-11
Required Documents	Cover letter, Curriculum vitae, Qualification evidence, Certificates, Master certificate
Employer Address	Bibliothekstraße 1, 28359, Bremen
Employer Contact	finpolprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de

About the Project

The role focuses on the study of federal and regional financial relations within the broader field of economic and financial policy in multi‑level systems. The PhD candidate will contribute to ongoing research projects at the Institute of Labour and Economy, support workshops and conferences, and produce publications while developing an independent doctoral dissertation on related topics.

Key Responsibilities

• Teach two teaching‑hour units per week, including preparation of materials, grading, and tutoring in German
• Assist in the supervision of seminars, term papers, bachelor and master theses
• Conduct own research leading to a doctoral dissertation
• Participate in research projects of the work area, including workshops and conference organization
• Co‑author publications and contribute to research outputs
• Engage in academic self‑administration and departmental activities

Required Skills

• Strong analytical abilities demonstrated by a relevant thesis
• Good knowledge of German language
• Good knowledge of English language
• Solid understanding of economic and financial policy
• High commitment, teamwork and independent work style

Who Should Apply

Candidates who have completed a master’s degree (or are in the final phase) in economics, business economics or related fields with at least a “good” grade, possess strong analytical abilities, are fluent in German and have good English skills, and are motivated to conduct research on financial policy in multi‑level governance.

Benefits

• Attractive work environment with experienced team
• Collaboration with partners such as the Workers' Chamber Bremen and governmental bodies
• Funding for participation in national and international conferences
• Freedom for independent research within the PhD program
• Open and appreciative workplace atmosphere
• Annual gross salary according to TV‑L (€57,112 – €81,176)
• Potential annual bonus (Christmas allowance)
• Additional pension scheme (VBL)
• 30 days of vacation per year
• Flexible working hours (flexitime) and possibility of mobile work
• Free social and family counselling services
• Corporate health management and sport‑club discounts
• Job‑ticket option
• Various cultural and sports offers
• Canteen services on campus

About the Employer

The University of Bremen is a medium‑size German university with around 20,000 students and 3,500 staff. It ranks among the most research‑intensive universities in Germany, emphasizing interdisciplinary work, international cooperation, and sustainability. The institution promotes a family‑friendly, diverse, and inclusive environment and encourages innovative research and teaching approaches.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the application deadline?

The deadline is 11 November 2026.

What is the employment type and workload?

The position is a part‑time scientific staff role (50% of a full‑time week).

What documents must be submitted?

A cover letter, CV, qualification evidence, certificates and the master certificate must be submitted as a single PDF.