Institution: Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences

Salary level: EGR. 13 TV-L

Start date: October 1st, 2025, fixed for a period of three years. (This is a fixed-term contract in accordance with Section 2 of the academic fixed-term labor contract act [Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz, WissZeitVG]).

Scope of work: part-time

Weekly hours: 75 % of standard work hours per week

Quality of care in the long-term care sector

With an aging population, the demand for long-term care (LTC) services in Germany is growing rapidly.

The German LTC system is characterized by compulsory LTC insurance that pays out fixed subsidies for informal care, formal care at home, and formal care in nursing homes. These services are provided by private firms (ambulatory care services and nursing homes), who engage in competition. Market entry is not restricted.

The number of beneficiaries has been constantly rising (tripled over the last 25 years) and so has the number of places in nursing homes. The demographic change intensifies staff shortages and increases demand for professional care. There are narratives in the press about substantial shortages of places in the long-term care homes market and low quality of care.

Ph.D. students will use methods from industrial economics to investigate how labor quotas and the adoption of new technologies could affect quality of care in the German long-term care market, as part of the Research Training Group of the HCHE.

The Research Training Group of the HCHE is in cooperation with the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE). It started with the first cohort in October 2023. This is the first call for the second cohort. The second call (for another 10 positions) will follow in September/October 2025.

Your responsibilities

PhD students will participate in our course program which consists of seven research-related courses (comprising three core courses, two methods electives, and two free electives designed to facilitate further specialization in methods or other specific topics). In addition, we will offer electives focusing on statistical software packages and training in complementary skills. The formal education of the PhD students will be augmented by their participation in research seminars and workshops. They will take part in international conferences, benefit from exchange with visiting researchers and will have the possibility to undertake research stays abroad.

PhDs are to complete the doctoral qualification program and to write a doctoral dissertation in Economics on one of the two following topics:

(1) Staffing regulations in the long-term care market

(2) Adoption of new technologies in the long-term care market

More information about the scientific program, training program and the supervisors/professors of the Research Training Group can be found on the following website:
https://www.hche.uni-hamburg.de/en/graduiertenkolleg.html

Your profile

A university degree in the field of economics (master's with a research orientation).

Applicants will be required to and belong to the best students within their cohort. Applicants should be methodologically strong and interested in empirical industrial economics.  We expect proficiency in English (proficiency in German is an advantage, but not a prerequisite) and STATA usage. Other programming languages such as R, Python or Matlab are a plus. On completion of the Master’s degree (including a Bachelor’s degree) applicants ideally should have reached the equivalent of 300 ECTS points.

In addition, applicants are required to submit a longer motivation letter (2-3 pages), explaining why they are interested in quality of care and in the long-term care market more specifically.

We offer

• Reliable remuneration based on wage agreements
• Continuing education opportunities
• University pensions
• Attractive location
• Flexible working hours
• Work-life balance opportunities
• Health management, EGYM Wellpass
• Educational leave
• 30 days of vacation per annum

Universität Hamburg—University of Excellence is one of the strongest research educational institutions in Germany. Our work in research, teaching, educational and knowledge exchange activities is fostering the next generation of responsible global citizens ready to tackle the global challenges facing us. Our guiding principle “Innovating and Cooperating for a Sustainable Future in a digital age” drives collaboration with academic and nonacademic partner institutions in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region and around the world. We would like to invite you to be part of our community to work with us in creating sustainable and digital change for a dynamic and pluralist society.

The University of Hamburg is committed to equity. Diversity enriches our university life, whether in our studies, research, teaching, education, or workplace. We therefore welcome all applications, regardless of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic or social background, age, religion or belief, disability, or chronic illness.

Severely disabled and disabled applicants with the same status will receive preference over equally qualified non-disabled applicants.

Instructions for applying

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Iris Kesternich
iris.kesternich@uni-hamburg.de
+49 40 42838-5101

Prof. Dr. Biliana Yontcheva
biliana.yontcheva@uni-hamburg.de
+49 40 42838-4429

Reference number:

121

Location

Esplanade 36
20354 Hamburg
To Google Maps

Use only the online application form to submit your application with the following documents:

• motivation letter
• a curriculum vitae
• copies of degree certificate(s)

If you experience technical problems, send an email to bewerbungen@uni-hamburg.de.

More information on data protection in selection procedures.