PhD student position in Economics

Department of Economics
Are you looking for an exciting PhD position in Agricultural Economics? Would you like to work in a dynamic research group with several ongoing disciplinary and interdisciplinary collaborations? Are you highly motivated to undertake PhD training?

The Department of Economics at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) invites applications for a PhD student to join its research group “Decision-making and managerial behaviour”. The student shall develop and perform research to understand farmers’ decisions under energy price volatility.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at SLU at https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/

Description:
The position is embedded in the Horizon Europe project “AnalysinG of fossil-ENergy dependence in agriculture to increase RESilience against input price fluctuations (AgEnRes)”. AgEnRes designs sustainable pathways for policy making to reduce direct and indirect dependence of farmers and the agricultural sector as a whole on fossil fuels and fertilisers, and increase the resilience to volatile energy prices, taking into account farmers’ behaviour and the synergies and trade-offs between European economic and environmental objectives at micro- and macro-level.

The PhD student will collaborate closely with other colleagues at the department and researchers from Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands, the Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies in Germany, and the University of Trento in Italy.

Qualifications:
The student should have basic eligibility for third cycle education in Economics. The successful applicant is expected to have a solid background in empirical research methods and quantitative data analysis.

Familiarity with experimental methods and behavioral economics or farm-level or agent-based bio-economic modeling are a merit, but not a requirement. Good knowledge of the agri-food sector is also a merit. The position requires excellent communication skills in English. The successful applicant should be strongly motivated to work within the framework of the European research project outlines above. The successful candidate is expected to work to establish own initiatives to move the PhD project forward and to work well in a research team. Personal merits will play a significant role in the recruitment process.

A person has basic eligibility for third cycle education if he or she has taken a second cycle qualification or has completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, including at least 60 higher education credits at second cycle education. The specific entry requirement for the subject of economics is at least 90 HEC within economics-related subjects, with at least 30 HEC awarded at second-cycle level (see syllabus for doctoral proframme in economics). Upper secondary school grades equivalent to English B/English 6 are a basic requirement.

Place of work:      
Uppsala

Forms for funding or employment:
Fixed-term contract (four years of fulltime PhD studies)

Starting date:
As soon as possible upon mutual agreement, but not later than 31 March 2024.

Application:
Click the “Apply” button to submit your application. The deadline is 7 January 2024.

Selection among applicants meeting the requirements is made with reference to an interview to which we invite based on a written application including (1) a personal letter (no more than two pages), (2) tentative research questions/ideas that you would like to address within the framework of the project (not more than one page), (3) a curriculum vitae, (4) copies of degrees and transcripts of academic records, (5) one copy of the dissertation for masters or undergraduate degree, (6) contact information of at least two references familiar with the applicant's qualifications, and (7) certified knowledge of the English language.

Applicants who are not Swedish citizens need to submit an attested copy of their passport’s information page containing their photograph and personal details.

Read about the PhD education at SLU at www.slu.se/en/education/programmes-courses/doctoral-studies/

Academic union representatives:
https://internt.slu.se/en/my-employment/employee-associations/kontaktpersoner-vid-rekrytering/



The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) has a key role in the development for sustainable life, based on science and education. Through our focus on the interaction between humans, animals and ecosystems and the responsible use of natural resources, we contribute to sustainable societal development and good living conditions on our planet. Our main campuses are located in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala, however, the university also operates at research stations, experimental forests and teaching sites throughout Sweden.

SLU has around 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and doctoral students and a turnover of over SEK 3 billion. We are investing in attractive environments on all of our campuses. We strive to provide a work environment characterised by inclusivity and gender equality, where different experiences generate conversations between people and pave the way for science, creativity and development. Therefore, we welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.