Deadline:
March 16, 2025
Location(s)
Germany
Regensburger Strasse 104, D-90478 Nuremberg
Overview
GradAB is the joint doctoral programme in labour market research of the Institute for Employment Research (IAB) and the School of Business and Economicsof the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU). It offers an excellent environment to prepare graduates for a career in academia and in policy consulting. Each year, up to six scholarship holders are accepted into the programme.
The Institute for Employment Research (IAB) and the School of Business, Economics and Society of the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU) offer a joint doctoral programme in labour market research in cooperation with TU Dortmund. GradAB is an interdisciplinary and flexible structured programme. The courses provide high-level training on economic and sociological labour market and social policy research, on methods, and data. Quantitative as well as qualitative approaches are welcome. For the first time, GradAB offers two additional scholarships for candidates with a qualitative research approach.
We aim for equal opportunities and work-life balance!
Details
Doctoral students can participate in international classes given by renowned researchers in addition to the regular study programme in order to deepen their theoretical, methodological and empirical skills.
Our scholarship holders also benefit from a large network with the scientific community. Further individual support is provided by experienced mentors working at the IAB.
Programme
Doing one's doctorate is more than simply writing a dissertation.
The GradAB regulations organize all opportunities and obligations of the GradABs.
In order to offer graduates optimum conditions for the successful completion of their work towards gaining their qualification, the Graduate Programme relies on a combination of:
- Study programme
- Mentoring
- Networking
- Financial support
Structure of the Study Programme
Compulsory and compulsory optional courses
During the first year of the programme, all doctoral students participate in three compulsory courses: “Statistics and Econometrics” (including an introduction to IAB’s data products), “The Sociological and Economic Basis of Labour Market Research”, and “Good Scientific Practice”.
In the second year, doctoral students start to participate in compulsory elective courses to extend their knowledge about advanced theories and empirical methods in economics, sociology and survey methodology. Doctoral students can either complete all necessary compulsory optional courses within the IAB, or they can participate in external courses, e.g. within the framework of the " "Bavarian Graduate Program in Economics (BGPE)" or in Summer Schools.
To successfully complete the compulsory and compulsory optional courses, doctoral students have to fulfil the respective examination requirements.
Presentation of own research in the GradAB jour fixe meetings
All doctoral students are required to present the progress of their research in annual GradAB jour fixe meetings, which are open to all members of the Institute.
Research seminars
Research seminars of the IAB Colloquium or the School of Business and Economics of the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU) give doctoral students the opportunity to gather inspiration for their own work and to discuss new and ongoing projects with external researchers.
Internships, conferences, national and international research visits
Doctoral students have the opportunity to attend scientific conferences, participate in national and international research visits, or to do an internship at a political or social organisation.
Schedule 2024/2025
- Commencement of the programme: 1 October 2025
- Maximum programme duration: Up to 4 years
- Application deadline: 16 March 2025
- Personal interviews: April/May 2025
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
We invite applications from outstanding graduates in the fields of economics, sociology or other social sciences who hold a master’s degree or diploma and have a strong interest in labour market research and enthusiasm for issues of the labour market and occupational research, and a strong personality.
We are expecting excellent academic qualification, special interest in and enthusiasm for issues of the labour market and occupational research, and a strong personality.
Preference will be given to dissertation proposals that benefit from being attached to the IAB, and that will be of particular benefit to the IAB.
Dates
Deadline: March 16, 2025
Cost/funding for participants
Doctoral students benefit from:
- a professional research and policy-consulting environment in one of the key institutions advising high-ranking social policymakers,
- IAB’s large network of renowned national and international universities, research and policy institutions,
- IAB’s unique data resources on employment and social security (administrative and survey data)
The scholarship provides financial support of 1,600 euros per month plus 1,800 euros per year for participation in scientific conferences and further training. Extra support for research visits is available. In addition, most of our GradAB participants work as junior researchers on a 26 % position in one of IAB’s research departments (employment subject to social insurance contributions/ minimum 1,105 euros per month). Please note however that the IAB does not guarantee the availability of any vacant job positions at the start of the programme.
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
