Doctoral Student in Economics – up to 6 positions

The PhD program at the Department of Economics prepares you both for an academic career and for qualified work in the private and public sectors. Our alumni hold fulfilling and important positions throughout society. We offer an intellectually stimulating research environment with several research seminars every week and many international visitors.

Duties

As a doctoral student, you will primarily devote your time to your own studies and research. The position is full-time for four years, with the possibility of extension for up to one additional year through departmental duties, such as teaching.

You can read more about the PhD program on the Department of Economics’ website.

Regulations for PhD students can be found in Chapter 5, Sections 1–7 of the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance as well as in the university’s rules and guidelines.

Eligibility and selection

General eligibility for admission to doctoral studies is held by anyone who has a degree at the advanced (master’s) level, has completed at least 240 ECTS course credits (corresponding to four years of full-time studies), of which at least 60 credits (one year of full-time studies) at the advanced level, or has otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge.

There is also a specific eligibility requirement for admission that the applicant has completed at least 90 ECTS course credits in economics, or has otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge.

The eligibility requirements must be fulfilled when the PhD program begins, but not necessarily at the time of application. Applicants who expect to meet the eligibility requirements no later than in early August 2026 are therefore welcome to apply.

Selection among applicants who meet the eligibility requirements is made with regard to their ability to complete the PhD program.

Application procedure

Applications are submitted via the application platform Headhunter.

The application must include:

• Cover letter (maximum two pages) in English, in which you describe why you want to pursue a PhD in Economics, your previous research experience, and which fields within economics you are primarily interested in.
• CV with relevant qualifications and contact details.
• Certified copies of all degrees and of all completed academic courses including transcripts/grades.
• A copy of your master’s thesis or another thesis you have written.
• Contact details for two academic referees who have agreed to write you letters of recommendations (name and email address).

After you have submitted your application, your referees will receive an email with a link for uploading their letters of recommendation. You will receive a confirmation by email when the letters have been received. The letters should be submitted as soon as possible and no later than 3 February 2026. It is your responsibility to remind your referees to upload their recommendation letters on time.

We strongly recommend that applicants take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). The result should be sent directly to the department via GRE using School code 0247 and Department code 1801. The results should also be stated in the application.

We use the GRE to assess whether applicants have the necessary mathematical skills. Applicants who do not submit GRE results must demonstrate equivalent knowledge in another way, for example through extensive university studies in mathematics. Studies in economics alone are not sufficient to demonstrate the required mathematical knowledge.

The PhD program is taught in English, and applicants must demonstrate sufficient language skills. Extensive previous university studies in English or a longer stay in an English-speaking country is usually sufficient to demonstrate this. You can also demonstrate your language skills through the TOEFL or IELTS tests. In that case, send the test results directly to the department. TOEFL: institution code 7996. IELTS: no institution code. It is also possible to attach other documentation supporting your English proficiency in the application platform.

See the department’s website for more information about the application and admission process.

About the position

Fixed-term employment in accordance with Chapter 5, Section 7 of the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance. Scope: 100%. Starting date: 17 August 2026 or as agreed. Location: Uppsala.

Further information about the position is provided by the admissions officers Guillaume Nevo and Fredrik Sävje via phdadmissions@nek.uu.se, or the Director of Graduate Studies, Mikael Bask, via mikael.bask@nek.uu.se.

Please submit your application no later than 30 January 2026, UFV-PA 2025/3467, via the Headhunter application platform: editorialexpress.com/apply/uppsala_university_phd_program_in_economics_2026