Call for 3 fully funded doctoral candidates in Economics

The Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER) calls for

3 fully funded doctoral candidates in Economics (f/m) – (Ref: 22-05)

• Full time, 40 hours/week
• Fixed-term working contract for 36 months (12 months extension is possible under conditions) in the framework of the ACROSS DTU on ‘Analysis of Cross-Border Mobility’
• Enrolment at the University of Luxembourg, Doctoral School in Economics and Finance (DSEF)
• PhD co-supervision by two members of the ACROSS consortium
• Deadline for application: 21st June 2022
• Earliest start date: 1st October 2022
• Interview of short-listed candidates: second week of July 2022

LISER, the University of Luxembourg and STATEC invite highly qualified and motivated applicants for PhD positions within the framework of the ACROSS doctoral training unit on ‘Analysis of Cross-Border Human Mobility’, funded by the PRIDE scheme of the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR). ACROSS gathers economists and geographers from LISER, from the Department of Economics and Finance of the University of Luxembourg and from the Research Division of STATEC. The project seeks to develop tools to monitor, analyze and improve the understanding of the causes and consequences of cross border workers’ flows. Special attention will be given to candidates interested in the link between cross-border mobility and entrepreneurship. More information about the composition of the consortium and research objectives as well as a list of indicative research topics can be found on the temporary ACROSS webpage available by clicking here:

https://sites.google.com/view/fredericdocquier/xingb-blog/across.

Co-promotion will be systematically encouraged within the consortium to reinforce the links between institutions. Hence, the successful candidates will benefit from expertise and knowledge offered by different members of the consortium. ACROSS builds on the Doctoral Programs of LISER and of the Doctoral School of Economics and Finance (DSEF). The present recruitment is the third cohort of a multiannual program that consists of 3 recruitment waves between 2020 and 2022 offering for each cohort an intake of PhD candidates in autumn and an excellent training and mobility program over a period of maximum 4 years.

Your Role

Your tasks include:

• Prepare a doctoral thesis on the causes and/or consequences of these migration and cross-border commuting flows;
• Contribute to co- and single-authored publication endeavors of the project team;
• Participate in the daily management of the project, including public outreach activities, site visits, stakeholder workshops, social media communication etc.

Your Profile

• Master Degree in Economics (equivalent to a Research Master) with honors or more;
• Methodological skills and/or previous quantitative research experience;
• Strong interest in the analysis of human mobility issues;
• Excellent verbal communication and academic writing skills in English;
• Enthusiasm for research, critical thinking, possibly including some first experience in publishing.

We offer

• An exciting multi-disciplinary and international research environment with ample opportunities to exchange with scholars from related disciplines at LISER, the University of Luxembourg and STATEC;
• Work under the supervision of two co-promoters;
• Work in a project team with several other Doctoral candidates and postdoc researchers;
• A work contract with full social security coverage at LISER or the University of Luxembourg;
• A highly competitive salary for the full-time PhD position for a period of maximum of 4 consecutive years (3+1 years);
• A tailor-made scientific training program with a wide range of courses and seminars offered by the consortium partners;
• A package of mentoring, training and career development.

About ACROSS Partners

LISER is a publicly funded research institute located in Luxembourg. LISER is devoted to applied empirical research in economic, social and spatial sciences. Interdisciplinarity is a key element for stimulating scientific innovation. The institute attracts researchers from all over the world and high-level doctoral training is a vibrant part of the Institute’s activities. The institute‘s staff consists of about 170 employees (including a survey and data center), about 90 staff being researchers, active in the fields of economics, sociology, and geography. The working languages at the institute are French and English.

Founded in 2003, the University of Luxembourg is the only public university of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Structured around three faculties and three interdisciplinary centres, the University of Luxembourg is a modern institution with a personal atmosphere, which aspires to be one of Europe’s most highly regarded universities with a distinctly international, multilingual and interdisciplinary character. It aims at fostering the cross-fertilization of research and teaching, is relevant to its country, known worldwide for its research and teaching in targeted areas, and becomes an innovative model for contemporary European Higher Education.

The National Institute of statistics and economic studies, STATEC, is an administration placed under the authority of the Ministry of the Economy. As a statistical office, STATEC compiles official statistics harmonized with the European Statistical System. Among those, social, labor force and earning statistics (SILC, SES, LFS) comprehensively portray the country’s labor force (including cross-border workers). Along data producing services, STATEC has a research division, which focuses on the areas of well-being, productivity and entrepreneurship. The division’s team of researchers carries out policy-relevant analyses and academic research resulting in peer-reviewed publications.

About Luxembourg

Luxembourg with its > 600,000 inhabitants is one of the wealthiest countries in the world and provides a stimulating mixture of modern culture and tradition. Contemporary urbanity of its capital lies in close vicinity to a rich nature. In addition to excellent health, education (public, private and high level international schools) and recreational services, the community offers a rich variety of cultural activities typical of a major university environment, including museums, music, art and theatre. The official languages are French, German and Luxemburgish. Information for foreign researchers interested in Luxembourg research is accessible via the national EURAXESS platform.

Application process

Please submit your complete application via https://jobs.liser.lu/jobs by providing the following documents:

• A letter of application outlining your thematic interest, motivation and profile;
• A CV;
• Copies of relevant degree diplomas, especially Master degrees that prepare to academic research, and related transcripts;
• A statement of equivalence for a Master of Science in Quantitative Economics and Finance;
• At least one letter of recommendation preferably by the promoter of your MA/MSc thesis (to be uploaded with the application documents or sent separately to recruitment@liser.lu);
• Proof of a good level in English (TOEFL, etc.);
• A relevant research paper (e.g. a working paper or your MA/MSc thesis).

Students graduating over summer 2022 are also encouraged to apply.

Closing date for applications: 21st June 2022

For DTU related information, please contact the DTU coordinator, Professor Frédéric Docquier (frederic.docquier@liser.lu), and Professor Michel Beine (michel.beine@uni.lu).

For administrative matters, please contact dsefm@uni.lu, chloe.schonckert@uni.lu and recruitment@liser.lu.

LISER and the University of Luxembourg are Equal Opportunity Employers