Matti Muhos

The University of Oulu, a leading multidisciplinary and international research university in Finland, is offering a Doctoral Researcher (PhD Student) position in Entrepreneurship Research at the Kerttu Saalasti Institute. The university is renowned for its global scientific community and commitment to producing impactful research and education. The Kerttu Saalasti Institute specializes in micro-entrepreneurship, regional excellence, and future production technologies, with a strong societal focus. This fixed-term, full-time position (3 years) is part of the GEM-Finland project, utilizing Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) survey data to advance empirical and theoretical understanding of entrepreneurial attitudes, activities, and aspirations in Finland. The research environment combines academic rigor with real-world analysis of the entrepreneurship ecosystem, offering flexibility in research topics, which can be developed in collaboration with the supervisor. The successful candidate will pursue a doctoral degree in management or economics (field of entrepreneurship) or a closely related discipline, within the Department of Marketing, Management and International Business at Oulu Business School. Oulu Business School is AACSB accredited and provides a vibrant academic setting, with access to tailored doctoral courses through the Finnish Doctoral Program in Business Studies (KATAJA), supporting both national and international networking. Key responsibilities include leading an independent research project based on GEM survey data (APS and NES), analyzing survey data from adult populations and expert panels, publishing in peer-reviewed journals, presenting at academic and policy forums, participating in seminars and conferences, and collaborating with faculty and GEM stakeholders. Research themes may cover entrepreneurial intentions and behavior, comparative analysis of Finland’s entrepreneurial landscape, gender, age, and regional dynamics, institutional and ecosystem determinants, and policy implications for entrepreneurship support environments. The position offers a gross salary of 2600-2800 €/month, with increases as doctoral studies progress, and includes a job-specific and personal performance component. Staff benefits such as ePassi, flexible work arrangements (Oulu, Nivala, or remote within Finland), professional development, and integration support for international candidates (Buddy Program, Spouse Network) are provided. Applicants must hold a master’s degree (or equivalent) in Business Administration and Entrepreneurship, with high grades (4/5 or at least 80% for coursework and thesis) or, for applied sciences degrees, excellent grades (5/5 or at least 90%). Required skills include quantitative and mixed-methods research, statistical data analysis (R, Stata, SPSS), motivation for GEM research, and excellent English communication. Finnish proficiency is advantageous but not mandatory. Experience with survey data, entrepreneurship research, innovation, public policy, or strategic management is desirable. To apply, submit a cover letter (including motivation and proposed GEM thesis topic), CV, academic transcripts, research proposal (2–4 pages), and contact information for at least two references via the University of Oulu recruitment system by 10 May 2026. For further information, contact Assistant Professor Robert van der Have, Professor Matti Muhos, or Research Director Martti Saarela. This opportunity is ideal for candidates seeking to contribute to entrepreneurship research with societal impact, benefit from a supportive academic community, and develop their expertise in a dynamic environment.