PhD-student Positions in Finance

About the FDEF

The University of Luxembourg is an international research university with a distinctly multilingual and interdisciplinary character.

The Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance (FDEF) at the University of Luxembourg offers a unique academic and research environment.
Rooted in Luxembourg but with a European and international outlook, teaching and research benefit from the proximity of the European institutions, Luxembourg's leading international financial centre and its vibrant business community. Institutional and private sector partnerships, sponsored Chairs and a growing network of international partner universities make the FDEF a dynamic academic hub at the heart of Europe.

Your role

The Department of Finance at the University of Luxembourg invites students to apply for PhD-student positions in Finance.

The program follows the standard international format with rigorous coursework in the first year and for the remaining, up to five years, work on research projects that will make up the final thesis. The first year of the Ph.D. programme corresponds to the Master in Quantitative Economics and Finance (MQEF). All courses are in English and taught by local faculty and visiting scholars from renowned universities/business schools (e.g., Princeton, University of Chicago, etc.).

The Department of Finance is located in the financial center of Luxembourg at Campus Kirchberg. It consists of more than 15 full-time research-oriented faculty members from top economics and finance departments (e.g., New York University, Lausanne, Rochester, Carnegie Mellon). Despite its recent creation, it has become a prominent finance department in Europe over the last few years. In particular, it ranks among the top 10 European departments based on the number of top economics, finance, and mathematical statistics publications per professor over the last 5 years. It provides an international and stimulating environment with regular top research seminars and several top-quality conferences. It also benefits from close relations with other departments of the University of Luxembourg (Department of Mathematics and Department of Economics and Management). The Department of Finance also collaborates with the Luxembourg Financial Center, the European Stability Mechanism, the Central Bank of Luxembourg and other economic and financial institutions located in Luxembourg.

Financial support is available for promising first-year students in the MQEF to live in Luxembourg. Full-time positions with a competitive salary are available for candidates who continue in the second year.

For more information concerning the positions, please contact us via the following email: . The University of Luxembourg embraces inclusion and diversity as key values. We are fully committed to removing any discriminatory barrier related to gender.

Your profile

We are looking for candidates with

• genuine interest in Finance, Economics or Statistics / Econometrics
• excellent quantitative and computational skills
• good command of written and spoken English

Candidates with a degree in Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Engineering or another quantitative subject are particularly encouraged to apply.

We offer

• Multilingual and international character. Modern institution with a personal atmosphere. Staff coming from 90 countries. Member of the "University of the Greater Region" (UniGR)
• A modern and dynamic university. High-quality equipment. Close ties to the business world and to the Luxembourg labour market. A unique urban site with excellent infrastructure
• A partner for society and industry. Cooperation with European institutions, innovative companies, the Financial Centre and with numerous non-academic partners such as ministries, local governments, associations, NGOs …

How to apply

Applications should include:

• A motivation letter
• A detailed curriculum vitae with details on concluded university studies including a list of quantitative courses completed at the master level
• Transcript of university courses taken
• The contact details of two or more academic references

Please apply to both the MQEF and the University's Job Portal. Applications are reviewed regularly. Applications to the MQEF open in February.

Students are hired on behalf of the Department of Finance, and find their advisor in the second year of the programme. Starting dates are in September. Selected candidates will be contacted directly. Applications by Email will not be considered.

All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. In line with our values, the University of Luxembourg promotes an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and are dedicated to upholding equality and respect for our employees and students.

General information:

• Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract 36 Month
• Work Hours: Full Time 40.0 Hours per Week
• Location: Kirchberg Campus
• Internal Title: Doctoral Researcher
• Job Reference: UOL06948

The yearly gross salary for every PhD at the UL is EUR 40952 (full time).