PhD Student position RD Sustainable Solutions

The successful applicant will be involved in the research on climate change mitigation policies. This research activity is led by the Research Domain Sustainable Solutions chaired by Prof. Dr. Ottmar Edenhofer who also serves as IPCC Co-chair of Working Group III on the Mitigation of Climate Change.

PIK is an internationally renowned research institution in the areas of climate change, climate policy and climate economics, and provides excellent support for developing a career in these areas.

Please visit our homepage at

http://www.pik-potsdam.de/research/sustainable-solutions

We offer the following doctoral position:

PhD Student position: Second best policy instruments within the project CREW

The project 'CREW - Climate Policy in a Reluctant World' is a joint project of PIK's Research Domain 'Sustainable Solutions', the Chair of Public Sector Economics of Technische Universität Berlin (Prof. Marco Runkel), and the Institute for Microeconomic Theory at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (Prof. Roland Strausz). It addresses a series of highly relevant questions in the field of international climate policy, e.g. why have countries so far failed to reach a global and salient agreement on climate change; how can a limited number of countries (a 'climate coalition') effectively implement unilateral climate policy; and which policy instruments can help to facilitate international cooperation? A considerable range of methods will be employed to address these questions, including game theory, trade theory, mechanism design, numerical modeling, and institutional analysis. Further information about CREW is available on the project's website: http://www.pik-potsdam.de/research/sustainable-solutions/projects/current-projects/crew

The Successful candidate is expected to participate in the regular project meetings and to present her or his results at national and international conferences. Upon joining PIK, she or he will become PhD candidate under the formal supervision of Ottmar Edenhofer, Head of Research Domain III of PIK and Professor of Economics of Climate Change at the Technische Universität Berlin. Remuneration is according to 50% of E13 TV-L. A good command of written and spoken English is indispensable for these positions.

This position has the aim to investigate so-called second-best approaches, i.e. policy instruments that can be employed in the presence of one or more irremovable market failure. Specifically, three main questions will be studied: (i) How can unilateral emission reductions, e.g. by the EU, be effectively implemented when other countries do not restrict their emissions? (ii) In view of various known market imperfections, does efficient climate policy require additional instruments such as renewable energy subsidies? (iii) Could a more sophisticated design of international climate treaties increase the number of participating countries? These questions shall be investigated in formal analytical and numerical models from a microeconomic perspective using international economics (especially trade theory), game-theory, and industrial organization theory.   

Suitable candidates will hold a Master's Degree (or equivalent) in economics with a proven emphasis on formal-analytical modeling, or in a quantitative discipline (physics, mathematics) supplemented by some previous knowledge of economics.

Salary is according to E13/2 TV-L. A good command of written and spoken English is requested from all applicants for the doctoral position.

For further information on this position, please contact Dr. Robert Marschinski (Email: robert.marschinski [at] pik-potsdam.de)

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The Potsdam Institute for Climate Change Impact Research seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply. Applications of disabled persons with equal qualifications will be favourably regarded.

We expect candidates for all positions to have a strong quantitative background and interest in applied modelling. Candidates should be proficient in English, and be able to demonstrate the potential for excellence in research.

Application procedure: Applicants should submit a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, copies of university certificates (indicating all taken courses), relevant publications and one letter of recommendation. Electronic submission is preferred. Documents can only be sent back if an addressed and post-paid envelope is enclosed in the application.

Deadline for Applications: Applications will be evaluated on an ongoing basis until positions are filled.

Applications should be sent to: Johann Grüneweg, Email: grueneweg [at] pik-potsdam.de, Postal address: Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, P.O.Box 601203, 14412 Potsdam, Germany.