University of Copenhagen (UCPH) – PhD scholarship(s) in Economics

This scholarship is part of a project funded by an Advanced Grant from the European Research Council, focussing on the development of a new generation of discrete choice models – so called generalized entropy models – that can be used to predict consumer demand in complex settings. The scholarship is offered from 1 February 2019 or earlier.

The PhD programme provides PhD students with strong research training, preparing for a variety of careers within the private and public sectors. The programme includes the writing of a PhD thesis, active participation in research networks, PhD courses, and knowledge dissemination. The PhD programme must be undertaken as a four-year full-time study within the framework of the 4+4 study programme of the Faculty of Social Sciences or as a three-year full-time study within the 5+3 study programme.

The PhD project must fit into the agenda of developing generalized entropy models. This is a new kind of micro-econometric model that is relevant for modelling consumer demand in the form of discrete choices or market shares. Initial papers on generalized entropy are

The PhD project should extend this line of research, focusing on the development and structural estimation of discrete choice demand models based on generalized entropy as well as their empirical application. The concept of generalized entropy is new; hence the project will be path-breaking in this respect.

The PhD student will join a growing team that currently consists of Mogens Fosgerau, Jesper Riis-Vestergaard Sørensen, Nikolaj Nielsen and Dennis Kristensen.

The ideal candidate has obtained a PhD in economics or a related field, demonstrating interest and ability in micro-economics, micro-econometrics, computer programming, and/or mathematics. The candidate must be motivated and able to engage in theoretical and empirical work, and have good oral and written communication skills.

Students who have completed a BSc plus 60 ECTS of an MSc degree programme would enrol as PhD students simultaneously with their enrolment in the MSc degree programme (4+4 PhD study programme). Applicants should check the study programmes for more detailed descriptions of the entry requirements. Until an MSc degree is obtained, the grant is paid partly in the form of up to 48 state education grant portions (in Danish: SU-klip). More specifically the PhD student will be paid two grant portions per month plus salary for work (teaching, presentations etc.) which totals a workload of at least 280 hours. Payment and conditions of employment are determined in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). Upon completion of the MSc degree the student is transferred to the salary-earning part of the PhD studies.

In order to be eligible for a scholarship in the 5+3 PhD study programme in Economics the applicant must have completed a two-year MSc degree programme in Economics, or have earned 120 ECTS credits at an equivalent academic level before starting his or her employment. Applicants should check the study programmes for more detailed descriptions of the entry requirements. In particular, applicants must have completed relevant advanced courses within the core disciplines of macroeconomics, microeconomics and econometrics. PhD students are paid a salary in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). The PhD student has a work obligation of up to 840 hours over the 3-year period of time without additional pay.

Further information on the PhD study programme in Economics is available on the website of Copenhagen Graduate School of Social Sciences:

In English: https://samf.ku.dk/phd-skolen/english.  In Danish: https://samf.ku.dk/phd-skolen/ Under “Legal basis” on the website you will find information about the rules and guidelines for the PhD programme, and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities.

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding society and invites all qualified applicants, regardless of personal background, to apply for the positions.

In order to be awarded the PhD scholarship the applicant has to enroll as a PhD student in Economics at the Faculty of Social Sciences, cf. the rules of the Danish Ministerial order No 1039 of 27 August 2013.

Information about the scholarship can be obtained from professor Mogens Fosgerau, Department of Economics, University of Copenhagen, email:mogens.fosgerau@econ.ku.dk, tel. +45 35 33 42 72.

The application can be in either Danish or English and should include a short motivation letter (maximum 1 page), a research project proposal, a study plan, a CV (including the applicant’s address and e-mail address), a list of publications (if any), a copy of the applicant’s Master thesis and a copy of the Master certificate.

Please note that it is only possible to upload one document per attachment category. If more than one document has to be uploaded in the same category, please make sure that they are scanned and collected into one file.

The application must be submitted electronically no later than 1 November 2018.

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager (in this case the Head of Department) selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Appointments Committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application have been passed for assessment by an expert assessment committee.

The following criteria will be when shortlisting candidates for assessment:

1. Research qualifications as reflected in the project proposal.

2. Quality and feasibility of the project.

3. Qualifications and knowledge in relevant Economics disciplines.

4. Performance (grades obtained) in graduate and post-graduate studies.

5. Department of Economics can offer adequate supervision for the research topic in question.

Selected applicants will be notified of the composition of the assessment committee, and each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself. You can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk 

Applications sent by regular mail or by email or received after the deadline will not be taken into account.