LIfBi Job Offers
Doctoral researcher (w/m/d) in the project SKILLS
The Leibniz-Institute for Educational Trajectories invites applications for the following part-time position (salary according to the collective agreement "TV-L" max. E13, 75% working time, starting as soon as possible, ending 31.12.2028, subject to the approval for funding) as:
Doctoral researcher (w/m/d) in the project SKILLS
The Leibniz Institute for Educational Trajectories (LIfBi), with about 250 employees, is an independent research and infrastructure institution for empirical educational research and a member of the Leibniz Association. The core of the institute is the National Educational Panel Study (NEPS), the largest long-term educational study in Germany.
The position is located in the research unit “Returns to Education and Post-School Education”. You will work in the interdisciplinary project “Skills that Matter: Workplace Skills in a Changing World” (SKILLS), which is funded by the Leibniz Association and carried out in cooperation with renowned partners at GESIS – Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences (Prof. Dr. Beatrice Rammstedt) and ifo Institute for Economic Research (Prof. Dr. Ludger Wößmann).
Based on PIAAC and NEPS data, SKILLS will investigate (a) to what degree returns to cognitive and non-cognitive skills on earnings differ across societies and if they have changed over time, (b) the relevance of skill mismatch, namely the discrepancy between individual skills and job skill requirements, for labor market success, and (c) the role of age on skill declines and skill enhancements through further education. Within the project, LIfBi is mainly responsible for analyzing the incidence, causes, and consequences of skill mismatch in various dimensions in Germany and in international comparison. Besides, LIfBi will participate in research on questions (a) and (c), in particular by contributing its expertise in the preparation and analysis of NEPS data.
Your tasks
- Systematizing the state of research on skill mismatch and deriving theoretical explanations on its causes and consequences
- Preparation and analysis of NEPS data (SC4 and SC6)
- Conducting research on skill mismatch, independently and in the team
- Presenting and publishing research findings, nationally and internationally, and writing a doctoral thesis in the thematic area
- Communicating and collaborating with our partners at GESIS and ifo
Your profile
- Master’s degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject area (e.g., sociology, economics, social sciences, empirical education research)
- Very good knowledge of quantitative analysis methods and confident use of statistical programs (Stata, R)
- Experience in analyzing large-scale longitudinal studies such as NEPS
- Knowledge in the field of education and the labor market, in particular regarding the utilization of skills and skill mismatch, or willingness to familiarize yourself with this topic
- Interest in investigating labor market-relevant skills and the desire to pursue a doctorate in this field of research
- Very good English language skills, the ability to work independently as well as in an interdisciplinary team
We offer
- Integration into in a highly visible third-party funded project, including close interactions with the teams in Mannheim and Munich and connections to a network of national and international collaboration partners
- Extensive opportunities, support and good conditions for further academic qualification and continuing professional development
- Performance-related remuneration according to the collective agreement of the federal states (TV-L) as well as a company pension plan with VBLU
- Flexible working hours and opportunities for mobile working
- Modern equipped offices, social rooms, company health promotion, parent-child room, etc. for a pleasant working environment (details on our social benefits at https://www.lifbi.de/Career-at-LIfBi)
LIfBi advocates gender equality and staff diversity. Our institute promotes the compatibility of family, care and career through flexible working and part-time models.
Your contact
Please send your meaningful application by the 05.12.2025 via our online form. Questions regarding the content of the position will be answered by Prof. Dr. Corinna Kleinert (+49 951 700 60 020, corinna.kleinert@lifbi.de).
