Steffen Korsgaard

The Department of Business and Sustainability at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) in Kolding invites applications for a fully funded PhD scholarship within the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN) project EPHEMERAL – Entrepreneurship and Place: How Entrepreneurs Manage Evolving Relationships Across the Life-cycle. This international, interdisciplinary project, funded by Horizon Europe, aims to train a new generation of researchers to advance rural development theory and practice through entrepreneurship. The EPHEMERAL network brings together five European universities and several non-academic partners, offering a unique environment for interdisciplinary supervision and training focused on rural entrepreneurship and development. The PhD project will focus on 'Left-behind places and entrepreneurial mobilization,' investigating how structural societal changes shape the emergence of opportunities and resources in rural areas, particularly through the lens of 'left behind' places as a new political narrative. The research aims to identify new forms of entrepreneurial agency that leverage both local and extra-local resources, addressing issues of geographical discontent and spatial justice. The successful candidate will collect and analyze qualitative data from emergent political movements in rural areas, develop research for publication in leading journals, and participate in dissemination activities targeting academic, industry, and public audiences. Applicants should have a relevant master’s degree in social sciences (such as business, political science, sociology, or related disciplines) and demonstrate strong English language skills, communication abilities, and enthusiasm for academic work. Experience with qualitative research, an interest in interdisciplinary and stakeholder-engaged research, and the ability to work independently and proactively are essential. The position is open to international candidates, but applicants must comply with the MSCA mobility rule, meaning they must not have resided or carried out their main activity in Denmark for more than 12 months in the 36 months prior to recruitment. The PhD student will join a vibrant research community within the Department of Business and Sustainability, particularly the Entrepreneurship research group, and will benefit from a dynamic, collaborative, and supportive work environment. The position includes participation in six international training weeks and secondments with academic and non-academic partners across Europe. The scholarship provides a monthly salary (including pension), office facilities, and financial support for conference travel and research visits abroad. The employment is for three years, with enrollment in the PhD programme at the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences in Economics. Applicants must submit an online application through the SDU recruitment system, including a project proposal, abstract, CV, master thesis summary, degree certificate, and any relevant teaching or publication experience. All documents must adhere to specified language and formatting requirements. The application deadline is January 6, 2026. For academic inquiries, contact Professor Steffen Korsgaard ([email protected]).