Research Assistant / Doctoral Student - Chair of Behavioral Economics

General information

The new Chair of Behavioral Economics (Prof. Dr. Rainer Michael Rilke) at WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management in Vallendar is dedicated to the empirical and experimental analysis of decision-making behaviour in business and society. The focus is on behavioural economics, field experiments and the use of artificial intelligence in decision-making processes. Our research examines how individual preferences, social norms, and institutional frameworks shape economic decisions. WHU has an international orientation, offers an excellent research environment, and has a vibrant doctoral programme.

Your mission

Research

• Conducting independent research in the field of behavioural economics, in particular on experimental and AI-supported issues in the field of algorithmic fairness.
• The aim is to present research results at international conferences and publish them in leading journals.

Teaching

• Collaboration in the implementation and further development of courses in the field of economics and business ethics (e.g. preparation of materials, supervision of students, data analysis or support with experiments).
• Opportunity to gradually take on your own teaching responsibilities and further develop your teaching skills as part of your doctoral programme.

Doctoral programme

• Active participation in WHU's structured doctoral programme, which includes methodological and theoretical courses, research seminars, and presentations in the doctoral colloquium.
• Use of the international research environment for professional and personal development, including access to laboratory and online recruitment resources and support for conference travel.

Your profile

Academic background

• Above-average master's degree in economics, business studies or a related subject.
• Ideally, your master's thesis was written in a subject area related to behavioral economics, ethics or artificial intelligence.

Technical and methodological skills

• Strong mathematical and analytical skills.
• Experience with experimental design, statistical inference, power analyses and common replication and pre-registration practices.
• Proficiency in at least one of the following programmes: R, Python or Stata.

Research interests

• Strong interest in experimental behavioral research, particularly in the areas of behavioral economics, behavioral ethics and artificial intelligence.
• Interest in topics such as algorithmic fairness or LLM-based behavioral experiments is particularly welcome.

 Personal requirements

• Enjoyment of scientific work in an international environment.
• Excellent written and spoken English skills (German skills are not required).

What we offer

Academic environment

At WHU, more than 60 faculty members conduct research and teach in the fields of management, finance and accounting, economics, entrepreneurship and innovation, marketing and sales, and supply chain management. WHU's high level of research expertise is the result of a focus on three key research principles: quality, internationality, and practical relevance for teaching and practice. 

Contact

If you have any questions in advance, please contact:

Prof. Dr. Rainer Michael Rilke

e-mail: rainer.rilke@whu.edu

Please upload your complete application documents (CV, cover letter, and any other relevant documents). Your thesis should be uploaded under “Other”.

About us

WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management is the leading private business school in Germany and is continuously ranked among the top business schools in Europe. On WHU’s two campuses in Vallendar (near Koblenz) and Düsseldorf, faculty, students, and staff enjoy working in a stimulating international environment. The organizational culture combines an entrepreneurial attitude and international orientation with a strong sense of community and diversity and a high commitment to excellence.

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