PhD position in Economics: Economic History, Family Economics, and Economic Development Using Historical Data
IÉSEG School of Management, in partnership with the LEM (UMR 9221) research unit of the University of Lille, is offering a 3-year fully funded PhD position in Economics, with a focus on Economic History, Family Economics, and Economic Development using historical data. The position is part of the ANR project “Families, Migration and Long-run Economic Growth in Europe” (FaMiGrowth), which investigates the long-term interactions between demographic behavior, mobility, and economic development. The successful candidate will work on the project “Access to Healthcare, Human Capital and Economic Growth in France,” exploring how inequalities in access to medical services shaped demographic behavior, human capital accumulation, and regional economic trajectories during France’s transition to modern economic growth in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
The research will involve constructing and analyzing a novel dataset measuring access to healthcare across French municipalities, using historical registers of medical practitioners, genealogical data, census records, and local economic indicators. The candidate will apply modern empirical methods, including panel data analysis and causal inference techniques, to newly digitized historical microdata. The dissertation will examine the impact of healthcare diffusion on outcomes such as infant mortality, fertility, migration, longevity, education, and long-term socioeconomic advantages, situating the French case within a broader European comparative perspective.
The PhD student will be closely integrated into the FaMiGrowth project and benefit from collaborations with researchers in family dynamics, migration, and intergenerational outcomes. The position is ideal for students interested in economic history, health economics, family economics, and long-run development within an international and collaborative research environment. IÉSEG is AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA accredited, and LEM is a dynamic, internationally oriented research unit with over 200 researchers and 60 doctoral students.
Applicants must have a master’s degree in economics or econometrics, strong knowledge in relevant fields, proficiency in English, and experience with econometric software (STATA, SAS, or R). The position offers a competitive gross salary of 2300€/month, access to university facilities, lunch vouchers, social security, and participation in the structured doctoral training program at LEM and the Doctoral School SESAM. The successful candidate will be based in Lille, France, and supervised by Professors Thomas Baudin and Adrien Montalbo, with additional support from the IFLAME Research Centre and the LEM research unit.
To apply, candidates must submit their application via the official recruitment platform, including a CV, transcripts, two academic recommendation letters, a research sample, and a motivation letter. The application deadline is May 1, 2026. For further information, applicants may contact the supervisors or the general PhD recruitment office by email.
