Program Overview

PhD Program in Economics

The PhD Program in Economics investigates central questions in economics, with doctoral students engaging in a broad range of research topics. Students are closely integrated into the department's research activities and establish contact with the international scientific community at an early stage.

Research Areas

• Current and future projects address central economic issues, including:
  • Trade networks in times of crisis
  • The influence of social norms on trust and behavior
  • The impact of automation on energy consumption and climate goals
  • The long-term development of real interest rates and their significance for inflation and monetary policy
• Further research focuses on the question of why children of migrants often have poorer health outcomes than their parents

Program Overview

The program combines research in macroeconomics, markets, and individual behavior, and develops modern scientific methods to better understand the central challenges of the 21st century. The department's research activities are designed to provide students with a rigorous and relevant education in economics.

Alumni Success

Graduates of the program have been extremely successful, holding positions at renowned international universities or important political institutions, such as the Austrian National Bank or the European Commission.

Program Coordinator

The program coordinator, Klaus Gugler, notes that the program offers rigorous research on central societal challenges, making economics tangible and relevant. The department's performance and cooperative spirit have enabled the program to achieve excellence in research.