InstitutionUniversity of Hamburg Business School, Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences, Faculty of Medicine

Salary levelEGR. 13 TV-L

Start date01.04.2026 or later, 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]).

Application deadline05.03.2026

Quality of care in the long-term care sector

With an aging population, the demand for long-term care services 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. Both ambulatory care services and nursing homes are private firms that compete with each other, and 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 shortage and increases demand for professional care. There are narratives in the press about huge shortages of places in long-term care homes market and low quality of care.

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 a call for the second cohort who will start in April 2026 (with some flexibility regarding the starting date).

More information about the scientific program, training program and the supervisors / professors of the Research Training Group can be found on the following website:

Your responsibilities

Active participation in a structured graduate program.

For their first project, Ph.D. students will combine self-collected survey data with administrative data and use methods from industrial economics to investigate how the adoption of new technologies will affect quality of care in the German long-term care market.

PhD students will participate 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. PhD students are invited to participate regularly 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.

Your profile

A university degree in the field of economics, ideally a research-oriented Master’s program in economics. Applicants should belong to the best students within their cohort and be methodologically strong. They should be interested in empirical industrial economics. We expect proficiency in English as well as German at B1-level. Applicants should be proficient in one or more programing languages such as Python, R, Stata. On completion of the Master’s degree (including a Bachelor’s degree) applicants ideally should have reached the equivalent of 300 ECTS points.

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.