PhD scholarship at the Department of International Economics, Government and Business, CBS

Copenhagen Business School invites applications for a PhD scholarship in Political Economy with a focus on Ukraine. The PhD scholarship is based at the Department of International Economics, Government and Business (EGB). The PhD scholarship is part of a collaboration with the Danish Institute of International Studies (DIIS), based on a grant from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The PhD student is expected to divide work time equally between CBS and DIIS.

The project

Proposed PhD projects should be anchored in the field of political economy, political science, or a related field with a focus on the case of Ukraine. The candidate should have excellent skills in quantitative methods.

Relevant topics for the scholarship could revolve around, but are not limited to:

• Business tycoons and politics in Ukraine
• Money in politics in Ukraine
• Public administration and the interaction between state and businesses in Ukraine
• State-business relations in Ukraine
• Corruption and anti-corruption reforms in Ukraine

The expected starting date is December 1, 2024 (negotiable).

About EGB

EGB is a multidisciplinary department that conducts high-quality research in the fields of international business and political science / analysis that has direct relevance to business, decision-makers and the broader public whilst also addressing contemporary societal challenges. These challenges include the consequences of inequality; the impact of technological change and digital transformation; the ethical dilemmas facing MNEs, regulatory challenges, the changes brought about by emerging markets and the rise of Asia; the consequences of global shifts for public policy, and the relationship between business and democracy. Faculty apply advanced quantitative and qualitative methods. To learn more about the research and teaching profile of the department, please visit the departmental homepage here . You should also consult the EGB PhD page here .

The department’s PhD fellows can gain much from our research seminars and other activities. At the same time, applicants should consider the overall contribution that they themselves can make to the department’s research environment. They should also demonstrate relevant experience in higher education, business, and dissemination activities.

The three-year PhD programme at CBS gives candidates the opportunity to conduct research under the supervision of EGB faculty and senior faculty at DIIS, supported by research-related PhD courses. The candidate is expected to undertake course work on quantitative methods as part of the PhD studies.

The programme is highly international, and you will be expected to participate in international research conferences and research visits abroad. Applicants should also be prepared to undertake teaching activities (CBS) and policy work/dissemination (DIIS). See the CBS homepage for more information about the PhD programme, http://uk.cbs.dk/phd .

CBS PhD graduates are not only highly regarded in higher education and research institutions but also in government and business where their research qualifications are in increasing demand. Recent EGB graduates have secured positions in leading universities, consultancies, and government agencies.

About DIIS

DIIS is an independent public research institution for international studies. DIIS conducts and communicates high-quality multidisciplinary research and aims to be agenda-setting in research, policy and public debate. DIIS’ research covers foreign, security and development policy. This position is part of a broader initiative to develop DIIS’ research, policy studies, and dissemination on the Ukrainian political economy as it pertains to corruption, state-business relations, and public administration. To learn more about DIIS please visit www.diis.dk/en

Application and admission requirements 

To be considered the applicant should:

• have a weighted grade point average of at least 8.2 on the Danish 7-point grading scale for the bachelor's and master's degree combined or alternatively a weighted grade point average must be at least 9.5 for the master's degree alone. If the grade point average is not met, documentation for being in the top 40% of the class is also accepted. In rare cases, the grade requirement can be waived. The department will give preference to applicants with excellent grades from their universities.
• have a Master's degree corresponding to the 3 + 2 Bologna process
• have received a grade of 10 (or equivalent) for the Master's thesis according to the Danish 7-point grading scale (https://eng.uvm.dk/general-overview/7-point-grading-scale )
• have completed the Master's programme before starting the PhD programme at CBS Please note: the applicant may apply for enrolment before the completion of the Master’s degree. In this case, enrolment will be conditional upon the Master’s degree having been successfully completed by the time of enrolment.
• have an educational background in political economy, political science, or a related related field.
• have a command of academic English at a very high level. If the applicant’s Master thesis was written in English this will be considered as sufficient evidence of this.

The application  

The research proposal is considered the backbone of the application and should be very carefully prepared by the applicant. It may not exceed five pages and should include the following:

• a brief explanation of the aims of the project
• an outline of relevant research questions
• a positioning of the project in an appropriate research field
• a description of the research literature within that field
• an outline/explanation of the theories to be included
• an outline/explanation of the methods to be used
• an indication of the project’s potential contribution to scientific development
• a work plan (brief) which describes the main phases in the project.

Further information can be found here: https://www.cbs.dk/en/research/phd-programmes/admission

In addition to the project description, copies of the following must be included:

• diploma for bachelor's and master's degree or other certificates at an equivalent level as well as the grade transcripts
• documentation for being in the top 40% of the class (if grade requirements are not met)
• a concise curriculum vitae (CV)
• a list of articles and publications (if applicable)
• one example of a selected written work (e.g. master's thesis)

Please note that an offer of employment is conditional upon  successful enrollment  in the CBS PhD School. Further information about CBS PhD scholarships and the PhD programme can be found at https://www.cbs.dk/en/research/phd-programme .

Employment and salary

A PhD scholarship runs for a period of three years and includes teaching and dissemination obligations equivalent to six months’ work (624 net working hours). The scholarship is a fully salaried position, according to the national Danish collective agreement. The monthly salary is currently approximately DKK 28,897 up to DKK 34,898, depending on seniority, and a pension contribution totaling 17.1%. The scholarship includes tuition fees, office space, course and travel costs (according to the current CBS agreement). 

Salary level and employment take place in accordance with the Ministry of Finance's agreement with the Academics' Central Organization.

Recruitment procedures
Selected applications will be considered by an assessment committee, which will consider whether the applicant is qualified for the position. A number from amongst those deemed qualified will be invited to present themselves and their project at a departmental seminar and attend an interview. Please note that a positive assessment does not automatically result in an interview. Applicants will be kept notified of their status in the recruitment process.

Please find guidelines and further information on scholarships and the Doctoral Programme at http://uk.cbs.dk/phd .
The application must be sent via the electronic recruitment system, using the link below.
Copenhagen Business School must receive all application material, including all appendices (see items above), ahead of the deadline, September 1, 2024.
For further information on the project, prospective applicants can contact Professor (mso) Mogens K. Justesen (EGB) [email protected] , Head of Department Jens Gammelgaard (EGB) [email protected] , Head of Unit Lars Engberg-Pedersen (DIIS), [email protected] , or Director Peter Kragelund (DIIS), [email protected]

For information on the PhD programme at CBS, you can obtain details from the EGB’s PhD Coordinator Eddie Ashbee, [email protected]

Details about Copenhagen Business School and the department are available at www.cbs.dk  

Details about DIIS are available at http://www.diis.dk/

Closing date: 1 September 2024.

Apply online

CBS is a globally recognised business school with deep roots in the Nordic socio-economic model. Our faculty has a broad focus on societal challenges, and we have earned a reputation for high-quality disciplinary and interdisciplinary research and education. 

We are located at Frederiksberg and have approximately 20,000 full and part-time students, 800 full-time faculty members, 200 PhD students and 700 administrative staff, and a full portfolio of bachelor, master, MBA/EMBA, PhD and executive programmes taught in English and Danish. 

Our global profile carries the obligation to address critical challenges in our research and to develop the transformational capabilities of students, graduates and business leaders via our educational activities and opportunities for lifelong learning. Complex challenges call for joint action, and therefore our strategy focuses on strengthening current and starting new partnerships with other sciences, the business community, authorities and civil society.

CBS is working continuously on becoming a diverse and inclusive organisation, and we encourage all regardless of gender identity and expression, ethnicity, religious beliefs, LGBT+ status, cultural background etc. to apply.
Reach out to us if you need assistance in the application or recruitment process, if there is something we should know, or if as a person with disability you wish to make use of your preferential access.