Job Description

The climate needs bright minds. The Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) addresses crucial scientific questions in the fields of global change, climate impacts and sustainable development. It is one of the world's leading research institutions in its field and offers natural and social scientists from around the world an inspiring environment for excellent interdisciplinary research.



For the research department Climate Economics and Policy, PIK, located at EUREF Campus in Berlin-Schöneberg, is offering a

Research assistant - position (m/f/d)

(Position number: 37-2025 SHK Research assistant)



in the field of Political Economy of Climate Policy, starting at earliest convenience, preferably on 01.01.2026.



The position

is funded for 9 months

. The remuneration is determined according to the guidelines of the TdL. The current hourly rate for a student assistant with a Bachelor's degree is 14,59 € (without a Bachelor's degree 13,98 €). This is a part-time position with a weekly working time of 10 to 20 hours per week.

Key responsibilities:

support our research on policy instrument design for climate change mitigation, contribute to assessments of cause-effect-relationships in the domain of climate policy, review academic articles in economics and political science, take part in data science and empirical analyses, and engage with other opportunities conditional on individual interests.

You are a Bachelor or Master student, enrolled at a German university, and ideally meet the following requirements:

strong motivation and active interest to work on policy instruments for climate change mitigation, high level of diligence and an acute attention to detail, a solid grasp of causal relationships and mechanisms is desired ideally, experience with (quantitative) research methods including econometrics

We expect:

the ability to work independently and on your own initiative a methodical and systematic approach structured and goal-oriented thinking capacity to familiarise yourself quickly with new topics creativity and openness to new approaches a high level of competence in oral and specificly written German and English reliability, engagement, and a high level of motivation capacity for teamwork

We offer:

the chance to be part of an engaged, interdisciplinary team, excellent opportunities to get hands-on experience in a world-leading research institute in the field of global change, a stimulating working environment and an attractive working space at the EUREF-Campus in Berlin Schöneberg, flexi-time and mobile working (up to 50% of your hours), a collective pay scheme and associated benefits as well as a subsidized travel card or Deutschland-Ticket Job.



PIK values equality and diversity. We encourage applications without photo. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of ethnic and social origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, care responsibilities, or age. PIK seeks to increase the share of women in scientific positions and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply. In cases of equal qualification and within the given legal scope, women will be given preference. PIK also encourages applications by parents returning from parental leave.



Please apply by

23.11.2025

directly via our application form .



For further information or to discuss the position please contact Dr. Leonard Missbach .