PhD in Economics

University of Southern Denmark; Esbjerg; On-site; DKK 324,000 - 402,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully funded PhD stipend

Research stay abroad

Job summary

The University of Southern Denmark invites applications for a fully funded PhD scholarship in the Department of Economics, located at Esbjerg campus. Enrolment is in the 5+3 PhD programme with a start target of 15 January 2027.

The successful candidate will work on the BRAVE project, focusing on environmental and resource economics and non-market valuation. The position includes a research stay abroad and the opportunity to contribute to a high-profile international research environment, with

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Environmental and Resource Management, Economics, Mathematics and Economics, or related disciplines.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills and ability to conduct empirical research.
• Experience or interest in non-market valuation, GIS and bioeconomic modelling.
• Knowledge of Danish or Scandinavian language is advantageous but not required.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the BRAVE project and the Danish BRAVE case study on invasive species management.
• Publish at least one single-authored paper within the project timeframe.
• Teach and supervise economics at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• Collaborate in an international research group with access to a global network of researchers.

Skills

Quantitative and analytical skills

Empirical research

Non-market valuation

GIS

Danish language

Education

Master’s degree in Environmental and Resource Management or Economics

Tools

R

Stata

Job description

Applications are invited for one fully funded PhD scholarship at the Department of Economics, University of Southern Denmark. The position is based at SDU’s Esbjerg campus. The successful candidate will be enrolled in the 5+3 PhD programme. The programme includes a research stay abroad, typically of six months’ duration, and offers a competitive full-time salary. We aim to appoint the successful candidate as soon as possible, ideally with a start date of 15 January 2027, while remaining flexible regarding the exact timing.

Further information about the position can be obtained from Head of Administration Astrid Holm Nielsen, e-mail: [e-mail]. For general questions regarding relocation, housing, taxes etc., contact the SDU’s International Staff Office.

About the Department and Research Environment

The Department of Economics is an international department with a strong tradition of excellence in research and teaching across a wide range of fields within economics. Research, teaching, and outreach activities are organized within five research groups: Econometrics and Data Science; Economic History; Macroeconomics; Microeconomics; and Environmental and Resource Economics. Further information about the department and its research groups is available on the department website.

The PhD student will be affiliated with the Environmental and Resource Economics (ERE) group, which focuses on Environmental and Natural resource economics on a variety of topics, namely ecosystem conservation and use, marine resource use, management and conservation, energy transitions, climate regulation, and interdisciplinary research at the interface between economics and the natural sciences. The group applies economic theory and tools to policy and analysis to provide guidance for more efficient use of environmental and natural resource goods and services.

The successful candidate will become part of an international research environment and work closely with Associate Professors Ana Faria Lopes and Melina Kourantidou. Part of the work will contribute to the BRAVE (Biological Invasions Resolved through Adaptable, Versatile, and Engaging Nature-Based Solutions) project, a Biodiversa+ -funded project that investigates the complex ecological and societal challenges associated with invasive species and their management.

In particular, the research will contribute to the Danish BRAVE case study on the invasive Pacific oyster in the Wadden Sea, including work on stakeholder preferences, economic values, and trade-offs associated with its management. For further information about the project, please see this link or this link.

The project relies on the application of economic theories, namely non-market valuation and bioeconomic modelling, to investigate the management of invasive species. We welcome candidates with strong quantitative and analytical skills from economics or related disciplines, including candidates with interdisciplinary backgrounds and an interest in environmental and resource management.

There will be considerable scope for the PhD student to develop their own research questions within the broader themes of the project.

The successful candidate is expected to contribute to high-quality research within the scope of the project, through both collaborative research and independent work, including a single-authored paper. In addition, the candidate will be involved in teaching and supervision within economics at both undergraduate and graduate levels. The PhD student will be supervised by Associate Professor Ana Faria Lopes as the main supervisor and will join a research group that includes postdoctoral researcher and research assistants, with access to an international network of collaborators.

Applicants should have completed a relevant master’s degree in Environmental and Resource Management, Economics, Mathematics and Economics, or related disciplines.

The following qualifications are an advantage

• Have an interest in, or potentially experience with, non-market valuation, press analysis, GIS and/or bioeconomic modelling.
• Experience conducting empirical research.
• Demonstrated interest in environmental and resource economics.
• Knowledge of Danish or another Scandinavian language would be an advantage for stakeholder engagement and work with locally relevant material but is not a requirement.

Have solid quantitative and analytical skills, with experience in data analysis and applied quantitative methods using R, Stata, or similar tools, and be eager to learn and apply new methods. Be dedicated, capable of working independently and collaboratively as part of a research team. Have strong English skills, both spoken and written. Have willingness to participate in stakeholder engagement activities and communicate research findings to different audiences. Have good interpersonal skills, be interested in engaging with national and international researchers.

Salary and employment terms

Salary is determined in accordance with the applicable collective agreement and based on objective and gender-neutral criteria, including the content of the position, responsibilities, and qualification requirements. As an applicant, you are entitled to information about the starting salary and salary range for the position. This information will be provided during the recruitment process. SDU does not collect information on applicants’ previous salary.