Postdoctoral Researcher in Economic Geography and Regional Science at RWTH Aachen University RWTH Aachen University in Germany

RWTH Aachen University is advertising a Postdoctoral Researcher position at the Chair of Economic Geography (Wissenschaftliche/r Mitarbeiter/in, Qualifizierungsstelle Postdoc), with a start date of 1 September 2026. The role is a full-time TV-L E13 / EG13 position and is initially limited to 3 years, with a possible extension of up to another 3 years depending on suitability, evaluation, and budget/legal conditions.

The research environment is centered on Economic Geography, Regional Science, Innovation Studies, regional development, transformation, and spatial inequality. The chair’s current themes include regional innovation processes, technological and economic transformation, knowledge/innovation/actor networks, regional labor markets, and the role of media, narratives, and public discourse in regional development.

Applicants should have a completed university degree and a very well-completed PhD in economic geography, human geography, innovation research, regional economics, or a related discipline. The post is especially suitable for researchers with a strong quantitative profile: very good empirical social research skills, experience with quantitative methods, programming, and large datasets are expected. Strong skills in R or Python are required, and additional experience in GIS, network analysis, text analysis, or machine learning is welcome.

Language requirements are important: candidates must have very good German and English skills. German is particularly necessary for teaching, student supervision, and academic administration. The position also expects independent working style, reliability, teamwork, interest in publishing, and motivation to help shape an emerging chair profile.

The role is explicitly designed as a scientific qualification position, supporting the development of an independent research profile and aiming toward Habilitation or an equivalent qualification. Duties include publishing research in internationally visible journals, contributing to ongoing and planned projects, developing third-party funding proposals, teaching in the Geography Institute, supervising theses, supporting students, participating in academic self-administration, and helping build research data infrastructures and methodological capacity.

Application deadline: 15 July 2026.

How to apply: Submit a cover letter outlining your research interests and fit with the chair, a tabular CV, publication list, proof of PhD completion, 1–2 selected publications or working papers, a short research/Habilitation sketch (2–3 pages max), and relevant certificates. The official advertisement is in German and the application is handled through RWTH Aachen University’s recruitment process.