Your team

We are seeking candidates who have recently completed, or are close to completing, a PhD in economics, finance, or another relevant field.

You will be part of the Directorate General Research (DGR). Our Directorate General has around 60 staff and consists of the Financial Research Division and the Monetary Policy Research Division. Depending on the Division, our colleagues conduct research on monetary policy transmission and implementation, financial institutions and markets, financial stability, regulation and supervision, monetary economics, international finance and economics, macroeconomics, labour economics, macro-econometrics and the economics of climate change.

We offer a unique, international working environment that combines research excellence with policy impact; a competitive compensation package, relocation allowance, and generous child and retirement benefits. You will be part of a multicultural team that strives for continuous innovation to make a positive impact on the lives of European citizens.

As a Senior Economist you will conduct state-of-the-art research aimed at publication in top finance and economics journals, provide research-based policy advice to DGR management, other ECB business area and senior policy-makers, share your latest research findings in internal and external research seminars, conferences and policy fora, and publish your work in academic journals.

The ECB is an inclusive employer and we strive to reflect the diversity of the population we serve. We encourage you to apply irrespective of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or other characteristics.

Your role

As a Senior Economist you will:

- conduct high-quality research and publish in top finance and economics journals;

- provide research-based policy advice and analysis on key central bank policy issues;

- contribute to developing analytical frameworks and tools to support policy analysis;

- establish and maintain productive working relationships with internal and external counterparts (e.g., through active participation in international research conferences and research networks).

For this role we are seeking candidates who demonstrate the potential for growth, and we will support the selected candidate in their development of the required skills.

We actively support professional development for our staff. Besides learning opportunities, such as training and mentoring, we encourage horizontal mobility after some years in the same position.

The position offers you excellent opportunities to join a dynamic team and to develop your research agenda. You will work in a stimulating environment in which you can apply your research to analyses supporting policy decisions. We provide access to research assistance, top computing facilities and a rich set of confidential and proprietary datasets, as well as the opportunity to interact with academic consultants. You will be able to travel to and participate in external conferences and seminars in your area of expertise.

Qualifications, experience and skills

Essential:

- a PhD or equivalent in economics, finance, or another relevant field, or close to completing a PhD in one of these fields (see How you can join us for details on degree equivalences);

- research papers suitable for publication in high-quality, peer-reviewed academic journals in the areas of financial or monetary policy research;

- if you received your PhD more than three years ago, a publication record in line with your seniority, comprising papers published in high-quality, peer-reviewed academic journals.

- extensive knowledge of state-of-the-art empirical and/or quantitative methods;

- excellent writing and communication skills;

- an advanced (C1) command of English and an intermediate (B1) command of at least one other official language of the EU, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

You engage collaboratively with others. You pursue team goals and learn willingly from other people’s diverse perspectives. You signal any need for change by explaining it and proposing alternative solutions. You analyse complex information effectively and can evaluate different views to arrive at solutions. You know and anticipate stakeholder needs.

You are motivated to contribute to the ECB’s mission, to serve the citizens of the EU as a member of a public institution and to work with colleagues from all over Europe.

You are motivated to be part of our team and to develop and use your skills and competencies to achieve the aims of this position.

Working modalities

We offer internationally competitive salaries and allowances. Taxes on salaries, allowances and benefits are paid to the European Communities instead of the national tax authorities. These positions are allocated to salary band F/G, bracket 2 (see What we offer, including the net salary table).

We would be happy to discuss a part-time arrangement for this role.

Further information

The contracts will be convertible into permanent contracts after three years subject to individual performance and organisational needs.

Application and selection process

You are eligible for appointment if you are a national of a Member State of the European Union or an acceding country.

When submitting your application, you will be asked to provide us with a copy of your cover letter, curriculum vitae, job market paper and copies of two recommendation letters.

The recruitment process for these positions will include a short online interview in the pre-selection phase, which will take place between 10 and 15 December 2026. If you are invited to participate in the subsequent selection phase, you will be asked to present and answer questions on your research paper in seminar format, and to attend further interviews. These seminars and interviews will take place in Frankfurt between 11 and 19 January 2027.

If you are not selected for this position but are still considered suitable, you will be placed on a reserve list (see step 4 of How we hire), from which you might be considered for similar positions within the ECB.

Find out how to apply for a position at the ECB.

Read more about how you can join us.