Research Associate / Assistant & PhD student for Innovation Economics and Management (gn*)

We are seeking for

A highly motivated PhD student or postdoctoral researcher with a strong interest in conducting rigorous, high-impact research in innovation economics and management. The successful candidate is ambitious, intellectually curious, and committed to publishing in leading international journals. We are looking for a candidate who is highly dedicated, enjoys working on challenging research questions, and is eager to develop and apply advanced quantitative methods.

Research topic

The position focuses on individual decision-making regarding innovation, particularly on biases in the evaluation of novel ideas. The research examines systematic errors in how individuals assess ideas for innovative products and processes, and how such biases affect innovation outcomes. This research will be supervised by Prof. Dr. Christina Raasch. The successful candidate will be part of her group, which focuses on idea creation and idea evaluation in innovation. This research is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG).

Your Responsibilities

• Conduct collaborative research on the above topics together with Prof. Dr. Christina Raasch and her team
• Develop and implement research projects, prepare and analyze data
• Draft manuscripts summarizing results for submission to top-tier academic journals
• Present research at international conferences and workshops
• Contribute to the intellectual life of the research group

Your qualifications

• Excellent academic degree (Master’s for PhD applicants; PhD for postdoctoral applicants) in Economics, Management / Strategy / Innovation, Psychology, or a related discipline
• Strong academic performance and very good grades
• Interest in innovation, strategy, and organizational decision‑making
• Strong analytical abilities, solid quantitative skills or strong willingness and ability to acquire them
• High level of motivation and commitment to academic research
• Excellent written and spoken English skills

Admission and Eligibility

• Completed or about to complete a Master’s degree or equivalent (300 ECTS) from an accredited university with a good international reputation with the German grade 2.0 or better. Grade equivalents are required for international applicants.
• English language proficiency according to KLU requirements (if the official language of the previous degree wasn’t English)

PhD

KLU supports the scientific employee in writing a dissertation on the research topic. As a state‑recognized university, KLU has the right to award doctoral degrees. The dissertation is usually done cumulatively on the basis of three scientific papers.

We offer

We offer an attractive salary and a personal, annual research budget to cover research‑related costs (e.g., conference visits, research colloquia, hardware and software). In addition, tuition fees for doctoral studies at KLU are waived. KLU guarantees very good working conditions, a very positive working atmosphere, a dedicated team and an international environment with a high degree of creative freedom. The position is planned for four years. At KLU, you will work with open‑minded and ambitious colleagues in an international, multicultural atmosphere at the attractive HafenCity location. Part of the research can be conducted in collaboration with a research partner abroad.

We value diversity

We value diversity and therefore welcome all applications regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion and belief, disability, age and sexual orientation, and identity.

Contact

We look forward to receiving your complete application (cover letter, resume, relevant certificates). Please submit your application to us via email at or through the 'Apply' button. If you have any questions, please contact For questions regarding qualifications and requirements concerning the advertised vacancy, please contact the supervisor Prof. Dr. Christina Raasch directly, For further questions on the PhD program please see: The application deadline is . Interviews can be held before the application deadline if needed. The start date could be around Sep 1st, 2026, but could also be earlier or later, as it is ultimately defined based on the availability of the successful candidate.