PhD Position (75% E 13 TV-L) in the area of judgment and decision making

The Cognition and Consumer Behavior Lab at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) seeks applicants for a

PhD Position (75% E 13 TV-L)

To conduct experimental research in the area of judgment and decision making together with Prof. Dr. Benjamin Scheibehenne.

Requirements

Successful candidates are expected to conduct excellent research, publish in international journals, and support the research and teaching activities at the KIT Cognition and Consumer Behavior Lab. A key research focus will be on how people perceive variability and risk.  The position is particularly interesting for people who enjoy conducting behavioral experiments at the intersection between cognitive psychology and economics and who are motivated to develop and test quantitative models of judgment and choice behavior.

Applicants should have a background in Psychology, Cognitive Science, Behavioral Economics, or a related field. Further requirements are excellent oral and written skills in English, solid methodological and statistical knowledge, and a dedication to scientific research. Prior experience with either R, Python, or any other programming language is desirable. For the PhD position, a master’s degree (or an equivalent degree) is a requirement.

Working Conditions

The position has a funding duration of up to 4 years. It provides excellent resources, including a well-equipped behavioral laboratory for conducting experiments and funds for research and conference travel. The lab is part of the KIT Institute of Customer Insights within the Faculty of Economics and Management.

The KIT is one of the leading technical Universities in Germany and is part of the recent “excellence initiative”. The city of Karlsruhe is a great place to live and work. It is situated in the Rhine valley between France and the Black Forrest. The region is known for its pleasant climate and its thriving technology sector. As customary in the German University system, the position comes with a light ‘research oriented’ teaching requirement.

The salary will be based on 75% of the E13 salary band in the German public sector.

Starting Date

The position can start in January 2027 or a later time upon mutual agreement.

Application Details and Deadline

Applications should include a cover letter, cv, copies of university degrees (Bachelor and Master), and either a letter of recommendation or a list of referees that may be contacted if needed. In your cover letter, please describe your past research experience. Applications should be submitted via the KIT Jobportal: https://jobs.pse.kit.edu/en/jobs/170894/phd-position-fmd-to-conduct-experimental-research-in-the-area-of-judgment-and-decision-making-part-time-75

The job posting number is: 1242/2026. Please do not add a picture to your application.

All applications submitted until the 8th of November 2026 will receive full consideration.

For further inquiries and questions, don’t hesitate to send an email to scheibehenne@kit.edu

Lab website: https://www.cin.kit.edu/1819.php

Disclaimer

The KIT is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from women.