Scientific Assistant (PhD student) for the Institute of Macroeconomics and Econometrics (m/f/d)

The Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn is an international research university that offers a wide range of degree programs. Some 31,500 students and more than 6,000 employees study and work on the foundation of a 200-year tradition. Awarded the status of a University of Excellence, the University of Bonn is one of the leading universities in Germany and enjoys an excellent international reputation

The Institute of Macroeconomics and Econometrics is looking for a

Scientific Assistant (PhD student, 65%)

for a period of 3 years. The start date is 1.10.2025 or later.

This call is for the DFG-funded research project headed by Prof. Zainab Iftikhar. The research project aims to analyze the role of mobility friction and selection in explaining the Agricultural Productivity Gap (APG), sluggish economic development, and spatial income inequality in Africa. The objectives include compiling a rich data set on selected African countries, consisting of aggregate, sectoral, regional, and household-level data. In particular, the research will involve analyzing the Living Standard Measurement Survey (LSMS) to uncover empirical regularities and establish stylized facts. These facts will be used to develop and quantify a unified framework featuring self-selection and misallocation mechanisms to study structural transformation, convergence, and spatial income inequality between regions in a developing country. A mix of empirical and structural methods will be used for quantitative and policy analyses aiming at understanding and reducing APG and spatial income inequality.

Your duties:

• Responsibilities include writing and publishing scientific papers on the above described research project, making presentations at national and international conferences, and analyzing research data.

Your profile:

• PhD student with an interest in Development economics, applied micro and Quantitative macro,
• Strong background in Macroeconomics, Econometrics, Microeconomics,
• Knowledge of Stata, Matlab/Python/R,
• Knowledge of the English language,
• Committed, flexible, team-oriented and interested in further training.

We offer:

• A diverse and demanding job with one of the largest employers in the region,
• opportunity to earn a PhD,
• participation in the university-wide pension system (VBL),
• access to the extensive university sports program,
• easy access to the public transport system due to the central location in Bonn as well as the possibility to use inexpensive parking facilities,
• a salary based on the 13 TV-L scale.

The University of Bonn is committed to diversity and equal opportunities. It is certified as a family-friendly university. Its aim is to increase the proportion of women in areas in which women are underrepresented and to promote their careers in particular. It therefore strongly encourages relevantly qualified women to apply. Applications will be treated in accordance with the State Equal Opportunities Act. Applications from suitable people with proven severe disabilities and persons with equivalent status are particularly welcome.

If you are interested in this position, please send your application documents including cover letter, curriculum vitae and certificates by 17.08.2025 quoting reference 2025/105. For technical reasons applications may only be submitted by email as a single PDF file by to office.mee@uni-bonn.de. Please address any questions regarding the position described to Prof. Dr. Zainab Iftikhar at the same address.