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South East Technological University

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PhD in Buy Now Pay Later regulation and consumer finance across Germany and Ireland South East Technological University in Ireland

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Finance

Funding

Funded PhD project under the SETU Co-Fund Scholarship Programme. Scholarship value includes a stipend of €22,500 per year for four years, tuition fees of €5,750 per annum covered by the scholarship, and €3,000 research costs. Full-time, 4 years (48 months).

Deadline

Sep 25, 2026

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Country

Ireland

University

South East Technological University

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Keywords

Finance
Regulation
Business
Management
Law
Consumer Protection
Economics

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About this position

PhD opportunity at South East Technological University (SETU), Waterford, Ireland on Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), consumer finance, regulation, and digital finance.

The project is titled An exploratory study of the ecosystem underpinning Buy Now Pay Later; a comparative study across Germany and Ireland. It investigates BNPL from both a regulatory and behavioural perspective, using a mixed-method design that includes documentary and textual analysis, interviews, and a survey. The study aims to assess the adequacy of emerging BNPL regulatory frameworks for consumer protection and to generate practical recommendations for policymakers and regulators.

Research keywords include Buy Now Pay Later, consumer finance, regulation, consumer protection, and digital finance. The work is based in the Centre for Finance and Business Research within the Department/School/Faculty of Accounting and Economic/Business.

This is a funded PhD scholarship for 4 years (48 months), full-time. Funding includes a stipend of €22,500 per year, tuition fees of €5,750 per annum covered by the scholarship, and €3,000 in research costs.

Eligibility highlights: applicants should hold a Master’s degree (minimum Second Class) with a finance component, have postgraduate research experience using both primary and secondary data, and have experience with both qualitative and quantitative methods. Strong academic writing, analytical ability, independence, communication skills, and willingness to travel for workshops/conferences are also required. Non-native English speakers must meet SETU English language requirements.

Applications must be submitted online via the SETU website, quoting the advert reference number SETU_WD_2026_02_SPONS, and all supporting documents must be uploaded. Informal queries can be directed to Professor Sheila O Donohoe by email.

Deadline: Friday 25 September 2026 at 4pm Irish time. Interview week: 5 October 2026. PhD commencement: 19 October 2026.

Funding details

Funded PhD project under the SETU Co-Fund Scholarship Programme. Scholarship value includes a stipend of €22,500 per year for four years, tuition fees of €5,750 per annum covered by the scholarship, and €3,000 research costs. Full-time, 4 years (48 months).

What's required

Applicants must hold a Master’s degree (minimum Second Class) with a finance component, have conducted postgraduate academic research using both primary and secondary data, and have knowledge and experience of both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. Desirable: experience with NVivo. Applicants must demonstrate a high standard of academic writing, strong analytical and problem-solving skills, initiative, independence, ability to work under pressure, good interpersonal and presentation skills, motivation, self-direction, time management, willingness to travel for workshops and conferences, and if English is not their first language, evidence that they meet SETU English language requirements.

How to apply

Complete the online application form on the SETU website and quote the advert reference number. Upload all supporting documents with your submission. For application and admission queries, contact the Postgraduate Admissions Office by email or phone.

More information can be found here

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