PhD Candidate in Economics

Handelshøyskolen BI; Oslo; On-site; NOK 572,000 - 659,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading business school in Oslo is offering a four-year Ph.D. program in Economics. Candidates will engage in scientific research, collaborate with faculty, and receive a scholarship tied to a work obligation. Applicants must have a relevant Master's degree by 2026 and strong research interests. The program aims to prepare graduates for prestigious academic positions worldwide.

Qualifications

• Master's degree completed by autumn 2026 with a GPA of B or higher.
• Strong research interests in economics and related fields.
• High proficiency in English or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Engage in high-quality scientific research using economic methods.
• Collaborate with faculty and participate in seminars.
• Contribute to the department’s research excellence strategy.

Skills

Research potential

Economic theory proficiency

Quantitative analysis skills

Language proficiency (English)

Education

Master of Science degree with thesis

Job description

Overview

BI Norwegian Business School offers a four-year Ph.D. Programme with specialization in Economics, which trains students to engage in high quality scientific research using economic theory and state-of-the-art econometric methods. The Department of Economics has a strong research-oriented faculty working within microeconomic theory, macroeconomics, econometrics, labour economics, natural resource and energy economics, political economics, industrial organization, and international and development economics. The department hosts five research centres: Centre for Monetary Economics (CME), Centre for Research in Economics and Management (CREAM), Centre for Applied Macro and Petroleum Economics (CAMP), Centre for Experimental Studies and Research (CESAR), and Centre for Applied and Theoretical Econometrics (CATE).

The doctoral programme is an important element in the department’s research excellence strategy and in BI’s vision to become one of the leading research business schools in Europe. Selected candidates will join a group of talented PhD candidates who work in close collaboration with faculty members. PhD students are expected to participate actively in research seminars and workshops. The place of work will be at BI Norwegian Business School in Oslo.

A PhD from BI can be a gateway to prestigious academic positions at universities and research institutions around the world. We encourage and support our candidates in the international job market. Recent graduates of BI\'s PhD specialization in economics have been hired by Sciences Po, University of Chicago, Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics, University of Oslo, and the European Central Bank.

Eligibility and Admissions

Eligible applicants must have completed a Master of Science degree with thesis work, a Research Masters/M.Phil degree, or a comparable degree relevant for the specialization in Economics by the time the programme starts in early autumn 2026, with a grade point average of B or higher. An MBA degree does not fulfill the admission requirements. The four-year scholarship is set according to the Norwegian State Salary Scale and currently pays NOK 572,800 annually. The position is linked to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (Statens Pensjonskasse). The scholarship involves a 25% work obligation. BI Norwegian Business School is an equal opportunity employer and we encourage women to apply.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted electronically by using the "Send Application" button on the right-hand side of this announcement. Paper or e-mail applications will not be accepted. You are required to submit the following electronically with your application:

• A short personal statement describing your research interests and potential research projects. Include BI Department of Economics faculty members you may be interested in working closely with (faculty list is available here).
• Letters of Recommendation: We require a minimum of two (preferably three) letters of recommendation from people who can comment on your research potential. These should be emailed directly to us by the letter writers rather than uploaded by you. You must include the names of your letter writers in your application. Please arrange with the letter writers to email their recommendations to [e-mail] by the application deadline.
• Academic Transcripts: Certificate of a Master of Science degree or equivalent, including transcript of grades; certificate of a Bachelor degree or equivalent, including transcript of grades; a Diploma Supplement or similar document describing the study and grade system; a signed transcript verification document (to be found here). Note that this document should be uploaded with your application and not sent to your university. It will be used to request an official transcript if you are considered for admission to the program and to check for discrepancies with the uploaded transcript.
• GRE/GMAT and English language test scores as described below.
• Any additional documents as described in the section below.

Test Scores and Language Proficiency

• GRE/GMAT: All applicants, except those who hold a master’s degree from an institution inside the European Economic Area/EU or Switzerland, must submit GRE General or GMAT results. Scores should include Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical Writing sections. Incomplete or partial scores are not sufficient.
• TOEFL/IELTS: Applicants whose native language is not English must take TOEFL or IELTS. Minimum: TOEFL 575 (written), 233 (computer), or 90 (internet); IELTS 6.5. A waiver may be requested by submitting a waiver form with the application in some cases. Exemptions are generally made for two years or more of higher education in English or for applicants from EU/EEA countries with English as the first foreign language taken over at least seven years of schooling.
• We accept scanned copies of test scores. TOEFL/IELTS scores must be from within the last two years. For scanned IELTS scores, the TRF number must be visible. When sending official score reports from the test center, use BI Norway’s codes: TOEFL/GMAT: 0529; GRE: 7365.

Additional Documents

You may upload the following documents:

• A writing sample that documents relevant research activities (e.g., a Master’s thesis or an academic paper).
• Certificates from previously completed doctoral-level courses if requesting approval of these for the PhD programme (see section 2 in the PhD Regulations). If you have taken any PhD-level courses, please complete the accompanying form (maximum 18 ECTS).

All documents, apart from recommendation letters, must be uploaded electronically with the application and may not be submitted by e-mail or on paper. Documents submitted after the application deadline will not be considered. Exceptions will be made for students who are completing their Master\'s degree in 2026 and do not yet have a final certificate when applying. You will not be able to revise your application after submission.

Candidates may be asked to provide additional information later and may be called for an interview. Admitted candidates must provide a more detailed progress plan with milestones and courses for the four years of study. For more information, contact the doctoral administration at BI Norwegian Business School: [e-mail].