Doctoral Positions for Evidence-Based Economics Program in Germany, 2015

Applications for doctoral positions starting in October 2015 are available for graduate program “Evidence-Based Economics” (EBE). For the first two years, these positions are funded by the Elite Network of Bavaria. Continuation funding until completion of the doctoral degree will then be provided by the students’ supervisors. During the course phase of the program (the first two semesters) students will generally be based in Munich. Thereafter, students will be based at the principal advisor’s institution. The application deadline is March 31, 2015.

Study Subject(s): Positions are available for “Evidence-Based Economics” (EBE) program. The first year of the program is devoted to acquiring the necessary methodological competence needed to conduct research in the field of EBE and to develop first research ideas. The second year of the program is then focused on defining and developing a research agenda. The third and fourth years of the program are devoted to writing and finishing the thesis.
Course Level: Positions are open for pursuing doctoral programme at University of Munich, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg) and University of Regensburg.
Scholarship Provider: Elite Network of Bavaria (Evidence-Based Economics” (EBE) is a joint undertaking of the Universities of Munich, Erlangen-Nuremberg and Regensburg generously).
Scholarship can betaken at: Germany (During the course phase of the program (the first two semesters) students will generally be based in Munich. Thereafter, students will be based at the principal advisor’s institution.)

Eligibility: The standard entry requirement is a completed Master’s degree in economics. They expect a solid knowledge in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics at the level of a first-year graduate program at a leading research university. Exceptions from this rule are possible only in special circumstances, for instance for candidates from neighboring disciplines. In these cases, any missing graduate-level training will be specified in an individual supervision agreement, with suitable courses to be chosen from the participating Departments’ Economics Master programs. These courses have to be passed in the first graduate program semester. Applications from students with outstanding Bachelor degrees are considered as well in special circumstances.

Scholarship Open for International Students: Citizens of all nationalities can apply for these doctoral positions.

Scholarship Description: The graduate program “Evidence-Based Economics” (EBE) is a joint undertaking of the Universities of Munich, Erlangen-Nuremberg and Regensburg generously funded by the Elite Network of Bavaria. During the course phase of the program (the first two semesters) students will generally be based in Munich. Thereafter, students will be based at the principal advisor’s institution.

Number of award(s): In total, a cohort of 20 students will form the graduate program “Evidence-Based Economics”. While funding for 10 of them comes from the Elite Network of Bavaria, they will admit up to 10 additional students, funded from other sources such as positions at the core faculty members’ chairs, who meet the same strict entry standards as those students who obtain graduate program-funded positions.

Duration of award(s): For the first two years, these positions are funded by the Elite Network of Bavaria. Continuation funding until completion of the doctoral degree will then be provided by the students’ supervisors.

What does it cover? Students will receive positions (75% TV-L E13, meaning ca. 1500€ net of taxes and social security dependent on personal circumstances). Students will be employees of the Free State of Bavaria, Germany, and covered by the mandatory social security in Germany, i.e. health insurance, unemployment insurance, retirement insurance, and superannuation scheme of German retirement fund for federal and state employees (for the latter an application for exemption is possible). Additionally, all students will be provided with office space, work stations, relevant computer programs as well as office material. Moreover, the graduate program has ample resources to provide:
-Travel support for conferences, exchange visits, and summer schools
-Seed funding for research studies
-Support for language courses, specific affirmative action activities, and presentation, communication, and soft skill courses.
-Funding for services of professional language lectors.

Selection Criteria: The EBE aims to recruit excellent graduate students with a strong and credible interest in Evidence-Based Economics. The selection process is highly competitive on performance, but we are committed to ensuring gender equality and international diversity. An admission committee will screen applications on a rolling basis. Some candidates might be asked to schedule an interview prior to admission to the graduate program. Applicants who present a detailed and adequate offer by another doctoral program may ask the admission committee to reach an early decision on their admission.

Notification: In any other case, please refrain from contacting directly about the status of your application. You will be notified in due time. Thank you.

How to Apply: The application procedure takes place via an online application tool. Students will need the following documents to complete their application (in pdf format):
-Letter of motivation: Please express your intention to study at the MGSE in a motivation letter. Be specific about your past studies and your reasons for being interested in the MGSE program as well as about your fields of interest, and your long-term professional aims. Your letter of motivation must be in English and shall not exceed one page.
-CV (Your CV must be in English and shall not exceed two pages).
-Certificate of secondary education (if available)
-Bachelor’s diploma and transcript of records
-Master’s diploma and transcript of records (if you have not yet finished your current degree, please attach a preliminary grade report)
-Proof of sufficient command of English (e.g. TOEFL)
-GRE/GMAT test score unless you graduated from a US or EU University. (Note that, even if the TOEFL and GRE-test are not mandatory for you, it is a supportive document for your application!)

Scholarship Application Deadline: The application deadline is March 31, 2015.

Further Official Scholarship Information and Application