Call for PhD applicants in Economics (f/m) - Ref: 26-03

The Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER)

is looking for

PhD applicants in Economics (f/m) – Ref: 25-39

LISER invites outstanding and highly motivated students to apply for a PhD scholarship. This is part of the Industrial Fellowships scheme of the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR). This funding scheme fosters close collaboration between Luxembourg-based companies engaged in R&D and public research institutions. We particularly welcome applicants interested in developing a PhD project within the following research theme, jointly supervised by LISER and the University of Luxembourg:

Shocks at the Border: Business Dynamics, Entrepreneurship, and Inequality in the Greater Region

 (Supervisor: Frédéric Docquier)

This PhD project examines how entrepreneurship subsidies and economic shocks shape cross-border dynamics in one of Europe’s most integrated labour markets, exploiting natural experiments at the Luxembourg-Belgium border. It combines cutting-edge empirical methods with privileged access to firm-level data and records through collaboration with LISER, Banque de Luxembourg, and Rotary Club Attert Sûre et Semois, offering strong academic and policy impact.

Your profile

• • You have (or expect to obtain) a Master’s degree in economics or a related field, with a strong command of empirical methods;
  • Strong interest in data-driven research and quantitative methods;
  • High motivation, intellectual curiosity, and critical thinking skills:
  • Excellent written and spoken English.

   

LISER is strongly committed to diversity and inclusion, and is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of background, and particularly encourage applications from female applicants.

Our offer

For successful AFR applicants, we offer:

• An exciting multi-disciplinary and international research environment with ample opportunities to exchange with scholars from related disciplines at both LISER and the University of Luxembourg;
• A highly competitive remuneration for a full-time PhD position according to the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in force and an employment contract at LISER for a period of maximum 4 consecutive years (3+1 years);
• A package of mentoring, training and career development as well as access to a wide range of courses and seminars, including language courses, offered by LISER and the University of Luxembourg;
• Flexibility in the organisation of the working hours and the possibility of teleworking;
• 32.5 days of annual leave for a full-time contract.

Doctoral candidates are encouraged to actively engage in disciplinary, interdisciplinary as well as transferable skills trainings and to develop their scientific profile and network through participation in high-level international conferences.

Application process

Please submit your complete application via https://jobs.liser.lu/jobs including:

• a detailed CV;
• a cover letter outlining your thematic interest, motivation and suitability for the PhD project;
• a relevant written document (e.g. a working paper, a chapter from your MA/MSc thesis);
• copy of relevant diplomas and transcripts;
• 1 reference letter from academic referees (to be uploaded with your online application or to be sent separately to recruitment@liser.lu).

Deadline for applications: January 25th, 2026 at noon (CET).

The shortlisted candidates will be invited for virtual interviews in February 2026.

The deadline for submitting the grant application to the FNR platform is set to 29th April 2026.

Applicants will be informed during the summer of 2026 whether their application has been selected for funding.

For administrative and recruitment matters, please contact Mrs Vanya KIROVA at recruitment@liser.lu

Why LISER?

LISER is a publicly funded research institute located in Luxembourg, devoted to applied empirical research in the economic, social and spatial sciences. The institute is located on the Belval campus in the south of Luxembourg (Cité des Sciences, Luxembourg), which hosts the University of Luxembourg and a substantial part of the country’s publicly funded research facilities, i.e. LISER, the Luxembourg Income Study (LIS) cross-national data centre, the Luxembourg institutes of Health (LIH) and of Science and Technology (LIST). 

Interdisciplinarity is a key element for stimulating scientific innovation. Research at LISER addresses current and future societal challenges and delivers relevant and independent societal impact and policy advice both at the national and European levels. The institute attracts researchers from all over the world, and delivers high-level doctoral training. The institute‘s staff consists of about 200 employees, 110 of which are researchers active in the fields of economics, sociology, and geography. Information on research in Luxembourg is accessible via the national EURAXESS platform.