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This PhD position offered by IÉSEG School of Management is a fully funded doctoral opportunity in Finance and Behavioral Economics, starting in September 2026 on the Lille campus. The position is part of the GENRECO research project, which investigates the intersection of gender, psychology, and academic careers in economics. The main objective of the project is to better understand the factors shaping career trajectories, professional choices, and persistent gender inequalities within academia.

The selected candidate will be affiliated with the Department of Finance and will conduct research within LEM (Lille Economics and Management), a joint research unit associated with the CNRS, the University of Lille, and the Catholic University of Lille. 

The PhD project adopts an original perspective on gender disparities in economics. While such inequalities are well documented (particularly regarding access to senior positions and distribution across subfields), their underlying mechanisms remain only partially understood. Traditional explanations, such as differences in productivity, age, or family constraints, do not fully account for these persistent gaps. This project therefore introduces psychological dimensions into the analysis, focusing on personality traits and value systems, as well as processes of academic socialization.

The project is structured around three main objectives: first, to measure the extent of gender inequalities within the discipline; second, to identify the psychological mechanisms that may contribute to their persistence; and third, to explore potential policy levers to promote greater equity in academic careers. More broadly, the research contributes to the literature by examining the role of stereotypes, scientific socialization, and the transmission of norms within higher education, as well as gendered dynamics in career choices in a high-status academic field.

The PhD candidate will be supervised by Aurore Burietz-Barakat, in collaboration with Caroline Perrin. The affiliation with the Department of Finance will also ensure strong training in quantitative methods and applied econometrics.

Applicants should hold (or be close to completing) a Master’s degree in Economics, Finance, Management, or a related field. The ideal candidate will have strong quantitative skills and an interest in empirical research methods. Familiarity with statistical software such as R, Stata, or Python is an advantage, as is an interest in psychology or behavioral sciences. Candidates are expected to demonstrate strong analytical abilities, intellectual curiosity, and the capacity to work both independently and collaboratively in an international research environment. Proficiency in English is required, and French is appreciated as well.

The position offers a competitive gross salary of approximately €2,300 per month, along with access to university facilities and a structured doctoral training program. 

For more information on the application process, please click on APPLY.