Interested Candidates
The Cologne Graduate School in Management, Economics and Social Sciences (CGS) is the doctoral school of the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences (WiSo Faculty) at the University of Cologne.
Our mission is to provide an outstanding environment for doctoral education by combining excellent research, high-quality academic training, and close supervision. We prepare the next generation of researchers for successful careers in academia and beyond.
Our doctoral researchers represent a broad range of disciplines, including:
- Business Administration
- Business Psychology
- Economics
- Energy Economics
- Econometrics and Statistics
- Sociology
- Political Science
Strong Research Partnerships
The CGS is embedded in a vibrant international research environment and maintains close collaborations with leading research institutions. Our key partners include:
- the Cluster of Excellence ECONtribute
- the International Max Planck Research School on the Social and Political Constitution of the Economy (IMPRS-SPCE) at the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies in Cologne,
- the International Max Planck Research School for Behavioral Economics (IMPRS BeSmart) at the Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods in Bonn, and
These partnerships provide doctoral researchers with access to an outstanding academic network, interdisciplinary exchange, and excellent research opportunities.
Become a Doctoral Researcher at the WiSo Faculty
There are two main pathways to join our faculty as a doctoral researcher:
1. Apply for an Open Research Position
Throughout the year our departments advertise open research positions via Stellenwerk or on their respective department websites. These positions are mostly 75% TV-L 13 appointments and include a teaching component. As an employed doctoral researcher, you will receive a salary and full social security coverage. If you are interested in pursuing a doctorate within a specific department, please check the department's website for current vacancies or contact the department directly. Please note that the Cologne Graduate School (CGS) is not involved in the recruitment process for these positions.
2. Apply for a CGS Doctoral Scholarship
The annual application period for CGS scholarships runs from 15 December to 15 March, with the programme starting in October. Application procedures vary by programme area:
- Management
- Social Sciences
- Economics
Through its doctoral scholarships, the WiSo Faculty supports outstanding graduates with excellent academic potential. Scholarship recipients are assigned to one of the faculty’s four Key Research Initiatives (KRIs) and are matched with a supervisor during the application process. Therefore, applicants do not need to contact potential supervisors before applying. The close connection between the scholarship programme and the KRIs promotes excellent doctoral training in the faculty’s core research areas while further strengthening these fields of research. CGS scholarship holders receive:
- €1,515 per month (tax-free) for up to three years
- A research budget of €3,000
- The opportunity to take on an additional research assistant position, if desired
Find out More
For comprehensive information on our doctoral programmes, funding opportunities, and the application process, please refer to the respective discipline-specific pages.
