Type of contract:  PhD traineeship

Who can apply?:  EU nationals eligible for our traineeship programme

Grant:  The trainee grant is €2,120 per month plus an accommodation allowance (see further information section)

Working time:  Full time

Place of work:  Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Closing date:  19.01.2024

Your team

You will participate in the summer 2024 Research Graduate Programme within the Directorate General Research. The programme is intended for PhD students who have completed their coursework and are at the dissertation stage of their studies in economics, finance, statistics, mathematics or a related discipline. The successful candidates will work in one of the Directorate General’s two divisions – Monetary Policy Research or Financial Research. 

You will spend around three months conducting research on the project you outlined when applying for this programme. You will be expected to present your research plans in a seminar at the beginning of the programme and your progress in another seminar at the end of the programme. An ECB economist from the Directorate General Research will serve as a contact person for you.

The ECB is an inclusive employer and we strive to reflect the diversity of the population we serve. We encourage you to apply irrespective of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or other characteristics.

Your role

As a summer Research Graduate trainee you will:

• carry out research on a topic of relevance for the ECB (as outlined in the research proposal you submitted when applying for the programme);
• present your research in seminars at the beginning and end of the programme;
• engage and collaborate with economists from across the ECB;
• become familiar with the working environment in the Directorate General and with the ECB and its policy challenges more generally.

The position offers you excellent opportunities to discuss and advance your current research projects and receive feedback from the ECB’s economists and visiting academics. You will be part of a multicultural team that strives for continuous innovation to make a positive impact on the lives of European citizens.

Qualifications, experience and skills

Essential:

• a master’s degree and at least two years of PhD studies in the field of economics, finance, statistics, mathematics or a related field, with all coursework completed;
• a good knowledge of the MS Office package;
• an advanced (C1) command of English and an intermediate (B1) command of at least one other official language of the EU, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

You are curious and eager to learn, and want to further develop your ability to analyse complex information. You are keen to collaborate with others, pursue team goals and learn from other people’s diverse perspectives. You strive to know and anticipate stakeholder needs, and will signal any need for change and propose alternative solutions.

You are motivated to contribute to the ECB’s mission, to serve the citizens of the EU as a member of a public institution and to work with colleagues from all over Europe. You are keen to be part of our team and to use your skills and competencies to achieve the aims of this position.

Further information

PhD traineeship of three months in total in the summer of 2024. 

Other details on the conditions applicable to traineeships at the ECB can be found on our website.

Application and selection process

The recruitment process for this position will include an online interview.

Further information on how to apply is available on our website.

Your application should include (i) a proposal (two to four pages) for research to be undertaken during the programme, along with a description of how it is relevant for policy (this proposal could be a new project or a continuation of your existing work); and (ii) a brief CV with a complete list of the PhD courses you have taken, including the grades you have received (the list should be issued by the relevant academic institution). If the list is not in English, please also provide an English translation (translated by yourself or someone else).

The documents should be uploaded in the “Further information” section of the online application before the closing date for applications. 

More information about the programme and a list of past participants can be found on our website.

If you are not selected for this position but are still considered suitable, you will be placed on a reserve list for 12 months from the closing date for applications, from which you might be considered for other traineeship positions within the ECB.