Why a doctoral programme at IWH

The researchers at the IWH are world-leading experts in these fields, among others:

• Financial markets
• Legislation, regulation and factor markets
• Macroeconomics
• Structural change and productivity

At the IWH, we train young researchers as part of their doctoral studies so that they can analyse and interpret current challenges in science, society and politics using state-of-the-art methods. To this end, we are looking for the best graduates with a Master's degree in economics or related subjects such as mathematics, statistics, business administration, accounting and finance to apply each year.

Doctoral students at IWH are characterised by very good degrees, academic ambition and performance and the ability to work in an academic team.

Compared to a doctorate directly at a university, doctoral programmes in economics at IWH have the following key advantages:

1. Close supervision by professors with excellent international networks in science and policy consulting
2. Excellent access to commercial and proprietary data for your own research
3. Active support in building your own research networks, e.g. through funded visits to conferences, summer schools, seminars or research stays.
4. Early involvement in ongoing research and policy advice projects and clear assignment to a research group and department

28 students from 15 countries are currently working towards a doctorate in economics as part of the DPE programme. Many of our alumni have taken up excellent positions worldwide after completing their PhD studies at IWH, for example at universities, research institutions, central banks, ministries and in the private sector.

The IWH PhD programme has been in existence since April 2012 and has received international recognition, most recently in the prestigious INOMICS Career Guide 2023 and 2024.

Read more: This is the doctoral programme at the IWH

Read more: Applying for the IWH doctoral programme (Call for Applications ongoing until 2025-01-15)