The University of Duisburg-Essen is offering a full-time, 36-month postdoctoral researcher position within an ERC-funded project focused on the gig economy and digital labour markets. The position is based in the Faculty of Economics in Essen, Germany, and is supervised by Professor Andrea M. Herrmann. The research will examine how specialization in distinct skill sets may help online gig workers resist international price pressure, leveraging access to one of the world's largest datasets on online gig work and opportunities for additional data collection through surveys or experiments.

Research Areas: The project centers on digital labour markets, the gig economy, online gig work, worker skill specialization, and international price pressure resistance. Main tasks include conducting research and publishing on these topics, preparing and analyzing large-scale data on gig workers and jobs, supporting supplementary data collection, organizing project activities such as international workshops and meetings, and supporting teaching and thesis supervision within the Chair.

Eligibility: Applicants must hold a completed PhD in social and economic sciences, including but not limited to business administration, political economy, economic sociology, labour economics, innovation studies, or related fields. Advanced quantitative methods and proficiency in Python, Stata, or R are required, as is experience with large individual-level datasets. Excellent English is mandatory, and candidates should have good German or be willing to reach B1 level within one year. Strong initiative, collaborative ability, attention to detail, and a strong work ethic are essential. Desirable qualifications include publications or promising working papers, awards or scholarly achievements, and experience supporting university-level teaching.

Funding: The position is fully funded for 36 months through an ERC project, with salary according to EG 13 TV-L. This is a research-focused, salaried postdoctoral position with no tuition fees.

Application Process: Interested candidates should prepare a motivation letter (in English or German), a CV, a scientific writing sample (article or PhD dissertation), and the names of two referees. Applications should be submitted by email to [email protected], referencing number 672-25, by January 31, 2026. For more information, visit the official posting or the Faculty of Economics website.

Supervisor: Professor Andrea M. Herrmann, University of Duisburg-Essen (Chair and Research Environment), is the mentor for this position.

This opportunity is ideal for candidates interested in the intersection of economics, business, and sociology, with a strong quantitative background and a focus on digital labour markets and the gig economy.