The European Central Bank (ECB) is inviting students and recent graduates to apply for the Student Research Assistant Traineeship Programme. This role is divided between the Monetary Policy Research Division, the Senior Management team, and the newly established Research Task Force on Artificial Intelligence (AI RTF).

General Information

• Type of contract Traineeship
• Who can apply? EU nationals eligible for the traineeship programme
• Grant The trainee grant is €1,170 per month plus an accommodation allowance
• Working time Full time
• Place of work Frankfurt am Main, Germany
• Closing date 12.01.2026

About the Teams

• Monetary Policy Research & Senior Management: You will join a team of approximately 40 economists and 10 research assistants conducting cutting-edge research on monetary policy strategy, macroeconomic dynamics, and macro-financial linkages.
• Research Task Force on AI (AI RTF): This task force coordinates research across the ECB into how artificial intelligence affects the macro-financial environment and its implications for monetary policy and financial stability.

Your Role

As a Student Research Assistant Trainee, you will work with state-of-the-art modelling and data visualization techniques. Key responsibilities include:

• Data Analysis: Working with diverse datasets, including macroeconomic data and granular firm-, bank-, and household-level data.
• Modelling: Contributing to the development and solving of New-Keynesian models (including HANK models) and macro-econometric models like structural vector autoregressions.
• Policy Support: Supporting economists in analytical projects and research-based policy advice for the ECB’s Executive Board and Governing Council.

Qualifications and Skills

Essential:

• Education: A bachelor’s degree or higher in Economics, Statistics, Finance, Data Science, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related field.
• Technical Skills: Practical knowledge of at least one programming language (Python, R, Stata, or MATLAB) and proficiency in MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint).
• Academic Knowledge: Familiarity with econometrics (time series, panel data, micro-econometrics), statistics, and model solution methods.
• Languages: Advanced (C1) English and intermediate (B1) command of at least one other official EU language.

Desired:

• A master’s degree or enrollment in a PhD programme.
• Experience with machine learning techniques (web scraping, text analysis), cloud computing (AWS), or market data services (Bloomberg, LSEG Workspace).

Further information

Initial traineeship of six months, with a possible extension to up to 12 months in total. Some positions will start before and some after summer 2026.Other details on the conditions applicable to traineeships at the ECB can be found on their 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 their 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.