Joost Luyckx

IÉSEG School of Management and Lille Economics and Management (LEM, CNRS UMR 9221) are inviting applications for a fully funded PhD position in Alternative Organizational Forms at the Lille campus in France. The project focuses on alternative organizations such as cooperatives and social enterprises, with particular attention to economic democracy , internal communication , member involvement, and the political context in which these organizations operate. The doctoral researcher will contribute to case-study-based research, including the Park Slope Food Coop in New York, and will work with a dedicated research team in management and organization studies. Supervision is provided by Benjamin Huybrechts and Joost Luyckx at IÉSEG, together with Frédéric Dufays (HEC Liège / KU Leuven). The post is linked to the LEM PhD program, co-organized by the University of Lille and IÉSEG. Eligibility highlights: an MSc or near-completion in Management, Economics, Sociology, Political Science, Communication Science, Business History, or a related field; strong qualitative research skills; excellent English writing; analytical ability; teamwork; and a strong interest in societally relevant academic research. Funding and conditions: the position starts in September 2026 , offers a competitive gross salary of 2300€/month , and includes support for housing search, visa, and relocation. The student will be based in Lille and enroll in a PhD program at the University of Lille with support from IÉSEG. Application deadline: 2026-05-15 . Apply via the recruitment portal and submit a CV, motivation letter, master thesis or writing sample, and statement of academic performance.

IÉSEG School of Management and Lille Economics and Management (LEM UMR CNRS 9221) are offering a fully funded Ph.D. position at their Lille Campus, France. The doctoral researcher will join a dynamic research team to investigate how internal communication within alternative organizations—those prioritizing social goals over profit—both shapes and is shaped by the political context in which they operate. The project aims to fill gaps in understanding the mechanisms and conditions through which internal communication enables or constrains member involvement in societal transformation processes. Case studies, including the Park Slope Food Coop in New York, will be examined to explore how member interactions and staff relationships influence organizational political positioning. Supervision will be provided by Professors Benjamin Huybrechts (IÉSEG), Frédéric Dufays (HEC Liège / KU Leuven), and Joost Luyckx (IÉSEG), all of whom are recognized for their research on alternative organizations such as cooperatives and social enterprises. Their work has been published in top international journals including Academy of Management Annals, Journal of Management, Organization Studies, and Journal of Business Ethics. IÉSEG School of Management is AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA accredited, and is a member of the Conférence des Grandes Écoles. The school is part of the CNRS research lab LEM, which comprises about 200 researchers and 100 doctoral students in economics and management. LEM is internationally oriented and committed to scientific excellence. The Ph.D. student will be based in Lille and will enroll in the Ph.D. program at the University of Lille, following the LEM PhD curriculum co-organized by the University of Lille and IÉSEG. The position offers a competitive gross salary of 2200€/month, along with support for housing search, visa, and relocation. The start date is expected to be September 2026. Applicants should have (or be close to completing) an MSc in a relevant field such as Management, Economics, Sociology, Political Science, Communication Science, Business History, or a related discipline. Strong knowledge of qualitative research methods (comparative case study, ethnographic methods, grounded theory), analytical skills, and a commitment to research excellence are required. Candidates must be fluent in English, able to write high-standard academic texts, and possess a dynamic, pro-active, creative, and serious personality with the ability to work in a team. To apply, submit your CV, motivation letter, master thesis or other writing sample, and statement of academic performance via the recruitment platform. Early applications are encouraged, as candidates will be evaluated as applications are received. The final deadline for applications is May 31st, 2026. For further questions, contact [email protected].