PhD positions in Economics - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

The Department of Economics at Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics wishes to appoint two PhD students in Economics. We welcome your application no later than May 2, 2023. 

One PhD position is related to a project where the overall purpose is to examine the effects of new green industrial investments and geographical mobility on local labor and housing markets. One line of research will examine the effects that new industrial investments have on local labor market outcomes, migration patterns, and the regional distribution of human capital. A second will analyze the role of geography and housing in the search process for new jobs and employees.

The other PhD position focuses on the incentives and behavior of the self-employed as well as the underlying choice between self-employment and employment. One specific question is how recent tax reforms and changes in the capital requirement have affected the behavior of self-employed individuals as well as the behavior of workers in the Swedish labor market. Another is to examine the design of the social security system from the perspective of the self-employed and, in particular, their incentives to participate in this system.

Research environment
The Department of Economics has around 30 employees and teaches about 240 students per year (full time equivalents). The dominating research areas are Environmental Economics, Labor Economics and Public Economics. Other active areas of research are Behavioral Economics, Economics of Education, Econometrics, Health Economics, Industrial Organization and Welfare Economics.

Currently, there are six professors and four associate professors active at the department, providing young scholars with excellent opportunities for supervision and personal development. The research environment is open and friendly, and doctoral students are fully integrated into the department’s activities as staff members.

Work description
As a PhD student in the Department of Economics, you are expected to take courses specified by your study plan, to work independently on your PhD project as well as collaborate within the research group, and to participate in seminars and other department activities.

Requirements and qualifications

• The general requirement for admission is a degree on advanced level, or the applicant having a total of 240 ECT credits of which 60 credits are at the advanced level.
• The specific requirement for admission is that the applicant has at least 90 ECT credits in Economics.
• The main qualifications are scientific skills, a strong interest in research, and the ability to work independently as well as in a team to accomplish the required tasks.
• Applicants must be proficient in both oral and written English.
• Applicants with a degree from a non-Swedish university are encouraged to provide their results from the GMAT (and/or GRE) and TOEFL tests if available.
• Documented skills in using quantitative methods such as Mathematics and Econometrics is a merit.

Application
The application shall contain the following documents:

• A cover letter summarizing your qualifications, scientific interests and motives for applying (max 2 pages).
• Curriculum Vitae.
• A research proposal (max 2 pages) presenting your ideas and how they contribute to the current literature in Economics. The research proposal will play an important role for the selection of candidates.
• Degree certificates.
• Bachelor- and/or Master theses or similar documentation of research skills.
• Name and contact information of two references.

The application should be written in Swedish or English (preferably) and submitted via the University recruiting system. The last day to apply is May 2, 2023. USBE strives for an even gender distribution and we particularly welcome female applicants.

Additional information
The PhD program amounts to four years of full-time studies and this PhD position consists of a scholarship (up to 2 years) followed by a PhD student employment (minimum 2 years). The PhD position may also include part-time teaching (up to 20%). If so, the total time for the position is extended corresponding to the teaching time.

The location of the position is Umeå. Participation in the department's activities is expected. Information about the PhD program and general study plan can be found here: https://www.umu.se/en/usbe/education/doctoral-studies/economics/

For further information contact the director of doctoral studies, Tomas Sjögren, at: tomas.sjogren@umu.se.

More about USBE
As an internationally respected, nationally influential, and regionally rooted part of Umeå University, Umeå School of Business, Economics, and Statistics contributes to societal development through education and research of a high international standard.

Through interplay with surrounding society, we provide education and research that contributes to the understanding, ability, and responsibility of individuals in relation to societal challenges and the importance of sustainable development. 

In collaboration with our surrounding society, we provide education and research that contributes to individuals' understanding, ability and responsibility in relation to societal challenges and the importance of sustainable development. We are AACSB-accredited and sustainability certified according to the environmental management standard ISO14001.

The Department of Business Administration, the Department of Economics, the Department of Statistics and The USBE office form USBE, with about 150 employees. About 3800 students follow our programs every year and we offer education from the undergraduate to the doctoral program level in all of our main disciplines – Business Administration, Economics and Statistics. 

Read more about USBE here: https://www.umu.se/en/usbe/

We look forward to receiving your application!