PhD Position in Finance and Behavioral Economics: Gender, Psychology and Academic Careers IÉSEG School of Management in France

The Department of Finance at IÉSEG School of Management invites applications for a fully funded PhD position in Finance and Behavioral Economics, focusing on gender, psychology, and academic careers. The successful candidate will join the GENRECO project, which investigates how individual characteristics such as personality traits, values, and motivations interact with institutional and social environments to shape academic career trajectories and inequalities within academia.

This interdisciplinary project is affiliated with the Department of Finance and the LEM (CNRS-UMR 9221, Université de Lille/IÉSEG), providing a vibrant research environment that brings together scholars in economics, management, and social sciences. The research will involve collecting and analyzing original survey data from economists in France and internationally, using advanced statistical and econometric methods to explore the relationships between psychological traits, professional trajectories, and gender disparities in academia.

The PhD project aims to: (i) measure gender disparities within the discipline; (ii) understand psychological mechanisms contributing to these disparities; and (iii) identify actionable levers to foster greater equity in academic careers. The research will contribute to the literature on stereotypes, scientific socialization, and the transmission of psychological norms in higher education, with the goal of informing institutional and policy initiatives to support women’s participation and advancement in economics.

Supervision will be provided by Dr. Aurore Burietz-Barakat and Dr. Caroline Perrin, offering the candidate access to expertise in management, organization studies, and behavioral research, as well as rigorous empirical training in applied econometrics. The candidate will benefit from an international academic network and a structured doctoral training program through LEM and the Doctoral School SESAM.

Applicants should have or be close to completing a Master’s degree in Economics, Finance, Management, or a related field, with strong quantitative skills and a keen interest in empirical research methods. Experience with statistical software (R, Stata, Python), data collection, and survey analysis is highly valued. Candidates with interests in psychology, behavioral sciences, or organizational studies are encouraged to apply. Proficiency in English and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively are essential.

The position offers a competitive gross salary of 2,200€/month, access to university facilities, and additional benefits. The PhD is based in Lille, France, with a start date in September 2026. The application deadline is May 3, 2026. Applicants should submit a CV, transcripts, two academic reference letters, a sample of previous research work, and a motivation letter via the IÉSEG recruitment platform. For further information, contact the supervisors or the general PhD recruitment email.