The Kiel Institute for the World Economy invites applications for the 2027 cohort of its Albert O. Hirschman Postdoc Program, offering one- or two-year postdoctoral appointments starting on 1 September 2027.
The program honors Albert O. Hirschman – who was born in Berlin, fled Nazi Germany, and became an eminent scholar in international economics, development economics, geoeconomics and international political economy. Hirschman valued creativity over conformity and left a lasting mark on economics and the social sciences. In his spirit, the program brings together exceptional early-career economists who are eager to pursue bold, relevant questions in international economics and help shape the future of the field.
Program overview
The program is highly selective and admits multiple postdoctoral participants per year, aiming to build a small, cohesive cohort. Participants can choose to work in our offices in Berlin or Kiel, embedded in the Kiel Institute's research environment and broader policy network. We expect participants to pursue independent research at the highest international standards, to engage with our seminar culture, and to contribute – by choice and fit – to collaborative projects.
The program focuses on international economics broadly defined, including fields such as international trade, international finance, macroeconomics, development, climate economics, as well as geoeconomics, security and defense, and the economics of conflict.
Contracts will be offered for one or two years, depending on the job market outcome. A one-year appointment is intended for candidates who plan to accept a subsequent position (for example, an Assistant Professorship). A two-year appointment is intended for candidates without a confirmed follow-up position.
Career development
Career development is a central feature of the program. Each participant will have one or more professors of the Kiel Institute as mentors and a small "peer board" of senior scholars (including external professors) for strategy and placement advice.
The program organizes structured job-market preparation for participants joining for two years, including paper polishing, application materials, mock interviews and talks, and targeted placement mentoring. Participants may also receive tailored grant-writing training with one-to-one feedback on proposals.
Your profile
To be eligible, applicants must hold a PhD in economics or a closely related field that was awarded within the three years preceding the program start or must have formally submitted their dissertation by 1 September 2027 (with the defense shortly thereafter). Strong written and spoken English is required; German is not required.
We seek candidates with excellent research potential in international economics (trade, finance, macroeconomics, development, climate, or geoeconomics). Applicants should demonstrate the ability to conduct high-quality independent research, as evidenced by a strong job market paper and/or clear potential to publish in leading academic journals, and a clear, feasible research plan with policy relevance.
Successful candidates will be based in Berlin or Kiel and take part in the Institute's regular research activities.
We particularly welcome applications from researchers working on geoeconomics, security and defense, or conflict, and aim to admit at least 50% women to the program. Eligibility is open to all nationalities; the Institute supports visa and work-permit procedures.
We are offering
Participants control their own budget to hire research assistants, for conference travel, research stays abroad, or to run a seminar series or mini workshop with external speakers. Teaching and administrative duties are kept to a minimum, but we offer teaching practice opportunities at partner universities, as well as participation in selected ASP training courses to learn state-of-the-art methods. Furthermore, the group receives financing and support to present and network at major Kiel–CEPR conferences – such as those on China, Africa, Geoeconomics, and the Kiel Trade Summit – which offer direct exposure to top scholars and policymakers.
Postdocs will earn a gross annual salary approximately in the €56k–€79k range, depending on experience and qualification, with a German TV-L E13 (100%) contract with full social security coverage, including health insurance. Participants benefit from travel and research support and from a family-friendly environment including paid parental leave in line with German law (with contracts extended for the duration of parental leave). Office space, IT support, and access to Institute data resources are provided at the host location.
The Kiel Institute for the World Economy values diversity. We welcome applications regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. The Kiel Institute is an equal opportunity employer with a certified family-friendly policy. We promote the professional opportunities of women and strongly encourage them to apply. Women with equivalent qualifications, competence and expertise will be given preference. We are committed to employing persons with recognized disabilities and will therefore give them preference over persons without disabilities if they are equally qualified.
How to apply
Applications for the 2027 intake are due 30 November 2026 (23:59 CET), with decisions by mid-January 2027. Application photos should not be included.
Please apply via EconJobMarket and submit the following documents online:
- A CV
- A cover letter stating your preferred host location (Berlin or Kiel) and naming one or two potential mentors at the Kiel Institute
- A research statement
- A job market paper or comparable writing sample
- Two or three confidential letters of reference, submitted directly by the referees
- Applications must be complete, and the proposed research must be anchored in economics.
For selection, we place special attention on research excellence and the potential for field-leading contributions, as well as the clarity, feasibility, and relevance of the research agenda.
Interviews will be conducted remotely by video starting December, 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview with potential mentors.
Contact
Head of the program: Prof. Dr. Julian Hinz (Julian.Hinz@kielinstitut.de).
Admission contact: Prof. Dr. Sonja Peterson (Sonja.Peterson@kielinstitut.de).
- Curriculum vitae
- Cover letter
- Research statement
- Job market paper
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