The Department of Finance at IESEG School of Management invites applications for a fully funded PhD position in Finance/Economics starting in September 2026. The project explores the intersection of gender, psychology and academic careers in economics, with the aim of better understanding the factors shaping career trajectories, professional choices and inequalities within academia.

The successful candidate will work on the GENRECO project, which investigates how individual characteristics (such as personality traits, values and motivations) interact with institutional and social environments to influence academic careers. The project relies on the collection of original survey data among economists in France, combined with advanced statistical and econometric analyses.

The position is affiliated with the Department of Finance and the research will be conducted within the LEM (CNRS-UMR 9221, Université de Lille/IESEG), an interdisciplinary research environment bringing together scholars in economics, management and social sciences.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Building on this objective, the PhD project investigates how the psychological profiles and value systems of economists differ by gender and how these characteristics evolve across academic careers, from PhD students to faculty members. While gender disparities in economics are well documented (particularly regarding access to senior positions and the distribution across subfields) the mechanisms underlying these patterns remain only partially understood. Conventional explanations, such as motherhood, age, or productivity differences, fail to fully account for the persistence of these gaps.

This project proposes a novel perspective by focusing on personality traits (measured through the Big Five framework) and value orientations (drawing on Schwartz’s theory of basic values) as potential determinants of academic career trajectories. By combining these perspectives, the research examines both gender differences in psychological profiles and the ways these profiles evolve as individuals progress through different career stages.

Empirically, the project will rely on the collection of an original large-scale survey of economists, first in France and later at the international level, covering researchers at different career stages. The data will be combined with advanced statistical and econometric analyses to investigate the relationships between psychological traits, professional trajectories, and gender disparities.

The project pursues three main objectives: (i) to measure the extent of gender disparities within the discipline; (ii) to better understand the psychological mechanisms that may contribute to their persistence; and (iii) to identify potential levers for action that could foster greater equity in academic careers.

More broadly, the research contributes to the literature by exploring the role of stereotypes, scientific socialization, and the transmission of psychological norms within higher education, as well as the gendered mechanisms shaping career choices in a high-status scientific field. By shedding light on these processes, the project aims to provide evidence that can inform academic institutions and policymakers in designing initiatives that support women’s participation and advancement in economics, ultimately promoting a more diverse and balanced discipline.

SUPERVISION & RESEARCH TEAM

The PhD student will be supervised by Aurore Burietz-Barakat, in collaboration with Caroline Perrin. The candidate will benefit from a stimulating and interdisciplinary research environment within the laboratory, interacting with scholars specializing in Management & Organization, whose work focuses on topics such as inequalities, governance, and organizational dynamics.

At the same time, being affiliated with the Department of Finance will provide strong exposure to quantitative and econometric approaches, as well as opportunities to interact with researchers working on empirical methods in finance and economics. This dual environment will offer the PhD candidate a rich intellectual setting combining interdisciplinary perspectives on gender and organizations with rigorous empirical training in applied econometrics.

 ABOUT IÉSEG SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT 

• IÉSEG is AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA accredited and is a member of the “Conférence des Grandes Écoles.” 

• The IÉSEG Research Center is accredited by the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS). 

• IÉSEG’s faculty is very diverse with more than 40 different nationalities represented. 

ABOUT LILLE ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT (LEM) 

• LEM is a research unit associating the CNRS (National Center for Scientific Research), the University of Lille and the Catholic University of Lille  

• LEM comprises about 150 researchers and 100 doctoral students in economics, management and statistics.  

• Research at LEM is multi-disciplinary in economics and management and is centered on societal issues. 

• LEM is a young, internationally oriented and dynamic laboratory with a strong scientific ambition. 

QUALIFICATIONS  

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a strong interest in gender, behavioral economics, and academic careers. Applicants should hold (or be close to completing) a Master’s degree in Economics, Finance, Management, or a related discipline.

The ideal candidate will have solid quantitative skills and a strong interest in empirical research methods, particularly econometrics and statistical analysis. Experience with statistical software such as R, Stata, or Python will be considered an asset. Experience in data collection and/or survey anlysis is of particular interest for this project as well.

Given the interdisciplinary nature of the project, candidates with an interest in psychology, behavioral sciences, or the study of organizations are particularly encouraged to apply.

Applicants should demonstrate excellent analytical skills, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an international research environment. A good command of written and spoken English is required.

WHY JOIN THIS PHD?

• Work on an original and timely research topic at the intersection of gender, psychology, and academic careers in economics.

• Collect and analyze unique survey data, offering strong opportunities for original empirical research.

• Benefit from an interdisciplinary research environment, combining expertise in management, organization studies, and behavioral research.

• Develop strong quantitative and econometric skills through interactions with researchers in the Department of Finance.

• Engage with an international academic network and contribute to research with potential impact on higher education policies and gender equality in academia.

WORKING CONDITIONS  

The successful candidate is expected to begin his/her assignment in September 2026. The PhD student will work under the conditions of a research contract. Gross salary will be competitive with other European research and academic institutions (2,300€/month). The student will be based in Lille and will enjoy additional benefits, most notably access to University facilities, restaurants. He/she will participate in the structured doctoral student training program run by the LEM and the Doctoral School SESAM.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE 

Interested applicants should submit:

• their curriculum vitae,

• transcripts of marks at undergraduate (Bachelor’s) and postgraduate (Master’s) level,

• two letters of recommendation from their academic referees (with their contact details),

• a sample of previous research work (e.g. Bachelor's or Master's thesis),

• a motivation letter explaining the reasons for which he or she wishes to undertake a PhD in this area

Interested candidates must send their application through this platform. To submit your application, please click on "apply" and follow the submission process. 

For any further question, please contact us by e-mail to a.burietz@ieseg.fr. and caroline.perrinwalter@gmail.com or for general information about to process to phd.recruitment@ieseg.fr.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

We will begin considering candidates immediately and will continue until the position is filled. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.   

Key Dates and expected timeline of the selection process:

· Deadline for sending complete applications: May 3rd, 2026.

· Date of Interviews: From May 4th to May 8th, 2026.

· Final deadline for the recruitment: May 15th, 2026.