Type of contract PhD traineeship
Who can apply? EU nationals eligible for our traineeship programme
Grant The trainee grant is €2,120 per month plus an accommodation allowance (see further information section)
Working time Full time
Place of work Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Closing date 12.01.2026
Your team
You will participate in the summer 2026 research graduate programme, and will be part of one of the Directorate General Research’s two divisions – Monetary Policy Research or Financial Research.
Our Directorate General carries out and coordinates economic research on monetary policy, financial stability and the conduct of banking supervision and regulation by the ECB. We give policy advice to ECB decision-making bodies and foster collaboration on research within the ECB and beyond.
The Monetary Policy Research Division is made up of a team of economists who provide ECB decision-makers with up-to-date research on a wide range of monetary policy topics. The Financial Research Division focuses on research into financial institutions and markets, financial stability, integration, regulation and related areas. In your role as a summer research graduate trainee, you will be assigned to one of the two divisions but will work closely with colleagues in both areas.
The ECB is an inclusive employer and we strive to reflect the diversity of the population we serve. We encourage you to apply irrespective of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or other characteristics.
Your role
As a summer research graduate trainee you will:
- carry out research on a topic of relevance for the ECB (as outlined in the research proposal submitted when applying for the programme);
- present your research proposal and subsequent progress in seminars at the beginning and end of the programme;
- engage and collaborate with economists from across the ECB;
- become familiar with the working environment in the Directorate General Research and, more generally, with the ECB and the policy challenges it faces.
The traineeship offers you excellent opportunities to discuss and advance your current research projects and receive feedback from the ECB’s economists and visiting academics. You will be part of a multicultural team that strives for continuous innovation to make a positive impact on the lives of European citizens.
Qualifications, experience and skills
- a master’s degree and at least two years of PhD studies in economics, finance, statistics, mathematics or a related field;
- a good knowledge of the MS Office package;
- an advanced (C1) command of English and an intermediate (B1) command of at least one other official language of the EU, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
You are curious and eager to learn, and want to further develop your ability to analyse complex information. You are keen to collaborate with others, pursue team goals and learn from other people’s diverse perspectives. You strive to know and anticipate stakeholder needs, and will signal any need for change and propose alternative solutions.
You are motivated to contribute to the ECB’s mission, to serve the citizens of the EU as a member of a public institution and to work with colleagues from all over Europe. You are keen to be part of our team and to use your skills and competencies to achieve the aims of this position.
Further information
PhD traineeship of three months, taking place in the summer of 2026.
Other details on the
conditions applicable to traineeships at the ECB can be found on our website.
Application and selection process
The recruitment process for this position will include an online interview.
Further information on
how to apply is available on our website.
Your application must include: (i) a proposal (two to three pages) for research to be undertaken during the programme, including a description of the proposal’s relevance for policy (it could be a new project or a continuation of your existing work); and (ii) a complete list of PhD-level courses you have taken (the list should be issued by the relevant academic institution). The two documents must be combined and uploaded as one single PDF file. The file must be labelled with your name and uploaded in the “Further information” section of the online application before the closing date for applications.
More
information about the programme and a list of past participants can be found on our website.
If you are not selected for this position but are still considered suitable, you will be placed on a reserve list for 12 months from the closing date for applications, from which you might be considered for other traineeship positions within the ECB
