Doctoral Positions (Ph.D. Candidates) - DFG Research Training Group 2720 «Digital Platform Ecos[...]

Overview

The University of Passau owes its strong visibility and good repute to excellent research, innovative teaching and its international academic networks. The university hosts about 11,000 students and more than 1,300 staff on a campus near the historic Old Town of Passau, combining state-of-the-art infrastructure with award-winning architecture. Passau offers a vibrant setting with international high‑tech companies, a dynamic start-up scene, rich culture and Lower Bavarian traditions.

The DFG Research Training Group 2720 “Digital Platform Ecosystems” at the University of Passau invites applications for

Doctoral Positions

Ph.D. candidates to start at the earliest convenience. We offer fully funded full- and part-time positions (75%–100% FTE, TV-L 13) based on a fixed-term contract with social security and healthcare contributions. Remuneration follows pay grade E13 of the German public-sector collective agreement (TV-L). The positions are intended to be awarded for three years. Continued employment from October 2028 onward is subject to renewal of project funding.

Research Training Group (RTG)

The RTG is a postgraduate excellence programme and interdisciplinary research community, comprising about 20 doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, seven principal investigators / doctoral supervisors and an international network of research partners from information systems, management, organisation, marketing, economics and communication studies. Funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), the RTG investigates the idiosyncratic characteristics of digital platform ecosystems and their implications for the transformation and design of economic value-creation architectures as well as broader socio-economic and regulatory developments. The RTG seeks positions supervised by the following professors: Stefan Bauernschuster; Michael Grimm; Carolin Häussler; Andreas König; Jan Krämer; Hannah Schmidt-Petri; and Thomas Widjaja.

What we seek

• You are a highly motivated postgraduate with an excellent master’s degree (awarded by a university) in information systems, management, organisation, marketing, economics, communication studies, or a related field. You may apply before graduating if you are near completion—please contact us for details.
• Excellent analytical skills and a keen interest in digital platforms.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team, open-mindedness, and the motivation to work on a research project independently and diligently.
• Excellent spoken and written English language skills. Knowledge of German is not a requirement.

What we offer

• The opportunity to pursue doctoral study at a renowned German university as part of a strong research team with internationally recognised activities at the highest scholarly level.
• Mentorship by at least two professors.
• Your own research budget for conference visits and hiring student workers to assist with research.
• No formal teaching obligation, but opportunities to participate in and contribute to the DPE curriculum.
• A tailored and interdisciplinary doctoral training programme, including a fully funded three-month research visit abroad, external course programmes (summer schools, workshops), co-supervision by leading international scholars and more. The programme is designed to enable completion of the doctoral degree within three years.
• You will participate regularly in international conferences and become integrated into an international research network.
• Excellent infrastructure including IT equipment on one of Germany’s most beautiful university campuses.

How to apply

• Please visit for details on the application process.
• Direct your application and motivation letter to any of the above-mentioned professors, indicating areas of mutual interest.
• You can apply at any time, as rolling admissions will continue until the positions are filled.
• We will start reviewing received applications on 15 February 2026.
• If you have questions, please contact Dr. Verena Komander by email at or reach out to the relevant professors for questions about their research areas.
• The University of Passau encourages women to apply. The positions are suitable for candidates with disabilities; those registered as disabled are given preference when qualifications are equal.
• Emailed applications are kept on file for six months after the appointment process and are then deleted. See the university privacy policy at
• DFG Research Training Group 2720 “Digital Platform Ecosystems” · University of Passau · Dr.-Hans-Kapfinger-Str. 16 · 94032 Passau, Germany