Lille Economics and Management (LEM UMR CNRS 9221) and IÉSEG School of Management invite applications for a fully funded Ph.D. Position in Marketing at its Paris Campus.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

This research project examines how socioeconomic inequality shapes the way consumers interpret and morally evaluate social stereotypes in market contexts. While stereotypes are known to influence consumer judgments and marketplace interactions, less is understood about how broader societal inequalities influence the moral interpretation of these stereotypes.

The project investigates how perceptions of socioeconomic status affect the evaluation of different social stereotypes and how these evaluations translate into marketplace judgments. In particular, it explores whether stereotypes targeting individuals perceived as high or low in socioeconomic status are interpreted differently by consumers, and how such perceptions influence judgments about fairness, responsibility, and legitimacy in consumption contexts.

By integrating perspectives from consumer behavior, social perception, and moral psychology, the research aims to develop a deeper understanding of how inequality shapes moral evaluations in market settings.

The project is designed as an article-based Ph.D. and aims to produce research suitable for publication in top international journals in marketing and consumer behavior.

The PhD will adopt a primarily quantitative approach, with a strong emphasis on experimental research methods to investigate causal relationships in consumer judgments and decision making.

The PhD student will be responsible for:

• Conducting a comprehensive literature review on social perception, inequality, and consumer judgments.

• Developing theoretical frameworks and hypotheses related to stereotypes, socioeconomic status, and moral evaluations in market contexts.

• Designing and executing empirical studies using quantitative methods.

• Collecting, managing, and analyzing data using statistical software.

• Publishing findings in academic journals, presenting working papers at conferences, and communicating research findings to broader audiences when relevant.

The Ph.D. student will be co-supervised by Dr. Benjamin Boeuf and Dr. Jorge Jacob, and will be affiliated with the Marketing and Sales department. The student will also have the opportunity to collaborate on one of the projects with Dr. Nico Heuvinck.

ABOUT IÉSEG SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT

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

• IÉSEG is a member of a CNRS (French National Center for Scientific Research) research lab: LEM.

• IÉSEG’s faculty is very diverse with 45 different nationalities represented.

ABOUT LILLE ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT (LEM)

• LEM is a research unit, that comprises the CNRS, associating the University of Lille and IÉSEG School of Management

• LEM comprises about 200 researchers and 100 doctoral students in economics and management.

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

QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must:

• Have an academic MSc (or be close to completion) in a relevant field such as marketing, consumer behavior, psychology, behavioral science, management, quantitative methods or economics.

• Demonstrate an interest in research topics on marketing, consumer psychology and behavioral sciences.

• Demonstrate strong personal and research interest topics on Diversity.

• Demonstrate strong analytical and quantitative skills and academic masters’ level in statistical methods and quantitative research.

• Have initial knowledge in SPSS or STATA.

• Show clear motivation for academic research and a commitment to research excellence.

• Be curious, rigorous, organized, receptive to feedback, and able to work collaboratively.

• Be fluent in English, with the ability to write high-quality academic texts in English.

Applicants should (desirable):

· Have experience with any or all of the following softwares: Qualtrics, and Zotero or Mendeley.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The selected candidate is expected to begin the Ph.D. student role in September 2026. The gross salary will be competitive with other European research and academic institutions (around €2400 gross per month).

The Ph.D. student role will be based in Paris, on the campus of IÉSEG School of Management.

The selected candidate will enroll in a Ph.D. program at the University of Lille, with support from IÉSEG. The Ph.D. student will follow the LEM PhD program, co-organized by the University of Lille and IÉSEG.

The Ph.D. student will benefit from a dynamic international research environment and will receive support and resources to conduct innovative research projects with strong potential for publication in international peer reviewed journals.

Assistance with visa procedures, and relocation will also be provided.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

IÉSEG places tremendous value on diversity and inclusion, and we therefore encourage applications from all backgrounds. Underrepresented groups in academia (notably women, minority ethnic groups, people identifying as LGBTQIA+, people with a (non-)visible disability, and people from lower socio-economic backgrounds and/or economically developing countries) are particularly encouraged to apply, as we are highly committed to ensuring that IÉSEG reflects and benefits from the diversity present in society.

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. conference or journal paper, working research project or Academic Master’s thesis),

- a motivation letter explaining the reasons why they wish to undertake a PhD in this area.

Interested applicants must submit their application through the recruitment platform, here. For any further question, please contact us by e-mail to b.boeuf@ieseg.fr and j.jacob@ieseg.fr or for general information about to process to phd.recruitment@ieseg.fr.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Early applications are encouraged, as candidates will be evaluated as applications are received. The final deadline for applications is April 25th, 2026.