PhD in Economics - Research Projects on Business & Labour Market

Örebro University is applying for a doctoral student for doctoral degree in economics at the School of Economics. The doctoral student will be part of a research project conducted in collaboration with the research institutes Handels Forskningsinstitut (HFI) and Ratio.

About the research project

Through empirical economic analysis, the project aims to study how changes in the business environment, with a focus on crime and structural change, affect companies and the labour market. Issues such as employment, wage formation, labour mobility, business dynamics, productivity and business growth and survival can be studied within the project.

The research is to a large extent based on extensive microdata from SCB with linked registers of individuals and companies and other relevant units. The project thus provides particularly good opportunities to study the interaction between companies and individuals over time and between regions and sectors.

The doctoral student will be employed at Örebro University and be included in the research environment Economics and Statistics at the School of Economics. The work is carried out simultaneously in close collaboration with researchers at HFI and Ratio. The doctoral student is expected to participate actively in joint research activities, seminars and work meetings and to develop research issues within the project area together with researchers in the three environments. Recurrent activities in Stockholm will be included in the project.

Since the doctoral project is conducted in close collaboration with researchers at HFI and Ratio, the ability to develop and conduct research together with others will be an important part of the assessment.

The education and doctoral position

The doctoral programme consists of courses and an independent research project presented in a doctoral thesis. The programme comprises 240 credits, corresponding to four years of full-time studies.

The place of education is linked to a full-time doctoral position during the training period. Any departmental service and extension of the employment are regulated in accordance with current regulations and Örebro University's procedures. In the rule manual (https://www.oru.se/globalassets/oru-sv/utbildning/utbildning-pa-forskarniva/regelhandbok-for-utbildning-pa-forskarniva.pdf) you can read more about doctoral studies and part-time employment. The starting salary for doctoral position is 32 300 SEK per month (salary period 2025/2026).

The doctoral student will be an integral part of the research environment Economics and Statistics at Örebro University and at the same time be part of the research collaboration conducted together with HFI and Ratio.

Competences, selection and assessment criteria

To be admitted to doctoral education, basic eligibility  (https://www.oru.se/utbildning/utbildning-pa-forskarniva/blivande-doktorand/) is required, special eligibility and the applicant is deemed to have the other skills needed to take advantage of the education. The full eligibility requirements are included in the admissions order (https://www.oru.se/globalassets/inforum-sv/centrala-dokument/styrdokument/utbildning_forskning_samverkan/utbildning_grund_avancerad_forskar/antagningsordning-for-utbildning-pa-forskarniva.pdf) and in Appendix 2 to the general study plan in economics (https://www.oru.se/globalassets/oru-sv/utbildning/utbildning-pa-forskarniva/allmanna-studieplaner/allman-studieplan-nationalekonomi-beslut-2019-10-22.pdf).

To read the ad and assessment grounds in full, visit: https://www.oru.se/jobba-hos-oss/lediga-jobb/jobbannons/?jid=20260247

Registration for the programme and doctoral position

You can sign up for the training on our website by clicking the "Apply" button.

A complete notification shall contain the following electronic documents:

• personal letter with a short justification for interest in the doctoral position and the research project;
• CV,
• copies of official diplomas and certificates of results certifying that you meet the requirements for basic and specific competence;
• independent work at advanced level and any other scientific work; and
• a brief project description of a maximum of three pages in which the applicant formulates one or more possible research questions within the project area and discusses how these could be investigated empirically.

As a general rule, the notification and appendices must be written in Swedish, Danish, Norwegian or English. Documents relating to qualifications in other languages shall be translated by authorised translators into Swedish or English. List of translators can be obtained from Kammarkollegiet (http://www.kammarkollegiet.se).

An application for admission to education is also valid as an application for employment.

More information for applicants can be found on our Vacancies page: https://www.oru.se/jobba-hos-oss/lediga-jobb/information-for-dig-som-sokande-och-sakkunnig/

Practical information

The position is located at Örebro University School of Economics. The work is conducted in Örebro and within the framework of the project cooperation also through recurring activities with HFI and Ratio, including in Stockholm.

Access: as soon as possible in autumn 2026.

Contact

• Questions about the research project: Oana Mihaescu, Research Manager Trade Research Institute, oana.mihaescu@hfi.se.
• Questions about the position and doctoral studies in economics: Henrik Jordahl, professor and subject manager, henrik.jordahl@oru.se.

Application deadline is 8 October 2026. Welcome with your application!

Since we have already made our choices regarding external partners and marketing in connection with this recruitment, we are not in contact with recruitment companies and advertising sellers.

According to the regulations of the National Archives, we must archive a set of application documents excl. publications for two years after the appointment decision has become final.