Doctoral Positions in Economic Sociology and Political Economy

The Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies (MPIfG) offers qualified graduate students an attractive research environment at the International Max Planck Research School on the Social and Political Constitution of the Economy (IMPRS-SPCE), a joint PhD program with the Department of Management, Economics and Social Sciences of the University of Cologne and the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Duisburg-Essen.

As Germany’s first graduate program in economic sociology and political economy, the IMPRS-SPCE welcomes outstanding doctoral students of political science, sociology, and organization studies from Germany and abroad. Research at the School explores the social and political foundations of modern economies and examines the interrelation between economic and social action. It combines approaches from economic sociology, comparative and international political economy, and organizational sociology.

The School’s students, German and international, benefit from the opportunity to contribute actively to the intellectual life of the MPIfG and its two partner universities in Germany. They also have the possibility to spend time at IMPRS-SPCE partner institutions abroad, where they can meet leading scholars in their fields. Students may also earn a French doctorate by entering the joint doctoral program (cotutelle de thèse) with Sciences Po in Paris. With these opportunities and its unique curriculum of seminars, colloquia, and summer schools, the IMPRS-SPCE offers students an environment in which they can build essential professional skills and make the best possible start to a research career.

Applicants must hold a master's degree (or equivalent) with at least 120 ECTS in a discipline related to the School’s program (sociology, political science, economics, organization studies, or a related field). As the doctoral degrees are awarded by the University of Cologne or the University of Duisburg-Essen, applicants must meet the requirements for admission to doctoral study at the degree-awarding university.

We look forward to receiving your online application. It should be submitted in English. Applications by email cannot be considered. For further information on the program and how to apply, please visit https://imprs.mpifg.de. Applications will be accepted from mid-December 2021 and must be submitted by 28 February 2022.