PhD/Postdoc Position: Formal Modelling of Economic Transformation Processes
The position focuses on formal modelling of dynamic economic transformation processes and is open to candidates with a strong background in areas such as operations research, mathematical economics, applied mathematics, dynamic optimisation, or related fields.
The full job advertisement is available here:
https://www.uni-osnabrueck.de/fb9/fachbereich/stellenangebote/details?tx_news_pi1%5Baction%5D=detail&tx_news_pi1%5Bcontroller%5D=News&tx_news_pi1%5Bmonth%5D=08&tx_news_pi1%5Bnews%5D=24208&tx_news_pi1%5Byear%5D=2026&cHash=91e110dbc42b24b4ff1beac96b9ce875
Application deadline: 18 September 2026.
Corporate Management at the School of Business Administration and Economics at Osnabrück University is seeking to appoint, at the earliest possible date,
a Research Associate (m/f/d) (pay grade E13 TV-L, 66.67% or 100%)
The position is part of the research programme Dynamic Incentives, Information, and Strategic Decisions under Uncertainty (DISCU).
Depending on the candidate’s qualifications, the successful applicant will be employed either as a postdoctoral researcher (100%) or as a doctoral researcher (66.67%), initially for a fixed term of three years.
The position is assigned to the Dynamic Optimization & Formal Analytical Modelling research area within DISCU. The research focus is on the development and analysis of dynamic economic models, particularly on questions of dynamic optimization, intertemporal decision-making, and decisionmaking under uncertainty. Further information about the research programme is available here: https://uos.de/fb9/ForschungsprogrammDISCU
Your responsibilities:
• Contribute to the DISCU research programme, particularly within the Dynamic Optimization & Formal Analytical Modelling research area
• Develop and analyse dynamic economic models
• Conduct analytical and numerical research on intertemporal decision problems, particularly in the areas of dynamic optimization, the evaluation of information, and decision-making under uncertainty
• Contribute to national and international research projects
• Participate in the preparation of third-party funding proposals
• Undertake teaching duties in accordance with the respective position category
• Contribute to the Corporate Management team and participate in organisational tasks
Requirements:
• for appointment as a doctoral researcher: an excellent Master’s or Diplom degree in Business Administration or Economics (in each case with a strong formal-analytical focus), Mathematical Economics, Mathematics, Operations Research, Systems Science, Physics, or a related discipline; for appointment as a postdoctoral researcher: a relevant doctorate completed with an excellent result
• excellent knowledge in at least one of the following areas: dynamic optimization, optimal control, dynamic programming, analysis of dynamic systems, decision theory under uncertainty, or comparable methods of formal dynamic modelling
• the ability and interest to investigate research questions in business and economics using formal methods • for appointment as a postdoctoral researcher: independent research experience with an international publication focus
• excellent command of English
Additional desirable qualifications:
• experience in the analytical and numerical analysis of dynamic models, e.g. using stability, bifurcation, or sensitivity analyses, as well as the numerical computation of optimal transition paths
• knowledge of advanced methods such as Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equations, ODE- or PDEbased modelling, differential games, or Value-of-Information analyses
• programming skills, e.g. in MATLAB, Mathematica, or Python • a focus on academic publishing or a strong interest in pursuing a doctorate
• the ability to work effectively in a team, a high level of commitment, and the ability to work independently
We offer:
• a distinctive research environment with a clearly defined research agenda
• involvement in national and international publication projects, as well as opportunities to participate in national and international conferences • structured supervision and support for your academic development • the opportunity to pursue a doctorate or habilitation
• the opportunity to work in a motivated, cooperative, and performance-oriented team with flexible working conditions T
he position is available on a full-time or part-time basis.
Osnabrück University is a family-friendly university and is committed to helping working parents balance their family and working lives.
Osnabrück University is committed to equal opportunities, diversity, and the professional equality of the genders. We promote a culture of science and work that enables fair opportunities and a discrimination-free environment for learning, teaching, and working. In doing so, we strive for fair representation of all social groups among our staff and work to counteract underrepresentation.
Applications from people with severe disabilities and those treated as equivalent under applicable law will be given preferential consideration where candidates are equally qualified.
Please submit your application including the following documents:
• cover letter
• CV and, if applicable, a publication list or work samples (maximum of two)
• two letters of reference when applying as a postdoctoral researcher, or one letter of reference when applying as a doctoral researcher
Note: Where possible, letters of reference should be submitted directly by the referees. • relevant degree certificates and evidence of qualifications Please send your application documents as a single PDF file by 18 September 2026 via email to Prof. Dr. Julia Müller, Corporate Management, Osnabrück University, at julia.mueller@uni-osnabrueck.de.
For further information about this call, please contact Prof. Dr. Julia Müller. We look forward to receiving your application.