PhD scholarship in Pension Economics

Copenhagen Business School invites applications for a vacant PhD scholarship within the field of pension economics. The expected start date is September 1, 2024.

Core research areas of the Department of Economics are: 

At the Department of Economics (CBS ECON) we continuously aim to be one of the leading economics departments at a European Business School. We recognize and embrace the business context in which we operate, and we aspire to be internationally recognized for our creative and rigorous contributions to important academic and public debates.

Teaching responsibilities of the Department comprise undergraduate and graduate courses in Microeconomics, Macroeconomics and Quantitative Methods. 

Examples of research areas a PhD scholarship might cover:

• Pension reform
• Longevity and retirement
• Demographic changes
• Inequality among the elderly
• Health and long-term care
• Pension saving and wealth
• The pension system and fiscal sustainability
• Home equity as a pension device

The three-year PhD programme at CBS gives you the opportunity to conduct research under the supervision of CBS’s associate professors and professors, supported by research related PhD courses. The programme is highly international, and you are expected to participate in international research conferences and to spend time at another research institution as a visiting PhD student. See the CBS homepage for more information about the PhD programme, https://www.cbs.dk/en/research/phd-programme .

CBS PhD graduates are held in high esteem not only in academia and research institutions but also in government and business where their research qualifications are in high demand.

CBS is committed to ensuring excellence, transformative and relevant teaching and research. Candidates who wish to join us must be interested in working in an organisation of this type and it is expected that the applicant shows an interest in joining the department's research environment. You can read more about the department's research here: www.cbs.dk/econ . 

Application and admission requirements
The department will give priority to applicants with high grades from their universities.

To be considered the applicant must

• have a basic education at master's level (corresponding to the 3 + 2 Bologna process).
• have received the grade of at least 10 (or equivalent) for the master's thesis according to the Danish 7-point grading scale (https://ufm.dk/en/education/the-danish-education-system/grading-system ).
• 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.
• have an educational background in the social sciences.
• have completed the master's programme before starting the PhD programme at CBS.
• master academic English at a high level in writing and speaking.

The application (see link below) must include a five-page project description. The project description must include:

• a presentation of an original research question.
• a description of the initial theoretical framework and method.
• a presentation of the proposed empirical material.
• a work plan for the three years.

More 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).

Recommendation letters are not a requirement. However, if applicants wish to include recommendation letters they must be included as part of the application material to be sent via the online link below.

The PhD student is enrolled in the CBS PhD School. Further information about PhD scholarships and the PhD programme can be found at https://www.cbs.dk/en/research/phd-programme .

The candidate selected for the position will be affiliated with the Pension Research Centre (PeRCent).  A key goal of the Pension Research Centre (PeRCent) is to make high-quality contributions in the pension research area, through publications in books and leading scientific journals in economics and finance. For further information please contact Professor Svend E. Hougaard Jensen, email [email protected] . 

Employment and salary
A PhD scholarship runs for a period of three years. The scholarships are fully salaried positions, according to the national Danish collective agreement. The monthly salary is currently approximately DKK 28,993 up to DKK 35,015 depending on seniority and a pension contribution totalling 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 procedure 
The Recruitment Committee shortlists at least two-five applicants to be assessed by the Assessment Committee. Applicants are informed whether their application has proceeded for assessment.

Applicants selected for assessment will be notified about the composition of the Assessment Committee and will receive their personal assessment later. Selected applicants will be invited for an interview. Please note that a positive assessment does not automatically result in an interview. Once the recruitment process is completed each applicant will be notified of the outcome of their application. 

The application must be sent via the online link below. 

Copenhagen Business School must receive all application material, including all appendices (see above), by the application deadline.

Details about Copenhagen Business School are available at www.cbs.dk/en .

Closing date: 15 May 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.