Welcome to Linnaeus University! Here you'll meet 2 200 staff members and 40 000 students, all united in following the vision to set knowledge in motion for a sustainable societal development. With us, research and education are conducted with an eye towards the future. Our proximity to the business world, both locally and globally, gives us a wide reach and the ability to create change that makes an impact. All that's needed is a place where ideas have the space to meet and grow. That's what we've created – and you are invited.

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The School of Business and Economics at Linnaeus University conducts research and education in business administration, economics, statistics, and legal tourism studies. Our mission is to advance knowledge that contributes to the development of individuals, organizations, and society. We combine academic excellence with close collaboration with industry and society and have been AACSB-accredited since 2022. 

Activities are primarily conducted at our campuses in Växjö and Kalmar.

The School of Business and Economics offers doctoral education in business administration, economics, and statistics. For more information, please see: https://lnu.se/en/research/PhD-studies/economics/

Subject area: Economics
Location: Växjö, Sweden
Number of positions: One
Starting date: September 1, 2026 (or later)

Research Project

The PhD position is affiliated with the research project Domestic Forest Governance and Global Timber Markets: A Policy Impact Assessment funded by the Marianne and Marcus Wallenberg Foundation and part of the WiForce research program.

The project addresses an important and timely research question at the nexus of climate policy, international trade, and environmental and natural resource economics. The aim is to analyze how forest policy instruments affect climate outcomes, with a particular focus on so-called forest harvest leakage. Harvest leakage occurs when reduced timber harvesting in one country leads to increased harvesting in other countries due to market adjustments, potentially reducing or offsetting the intended climate benefits.

The PhD candidate will examine how policies designed to increase carbon sequestration in forests affect harvesting levels, trade flows, and market dynamics. The work involves the analysis of large international datasets, the application of quantitative and empirical methods, and the development of scenario models to evaluate alternative policy interventions and their effects on climate and the bioeconomy.

The doctoral student will be part of an active and international research environment and will work closely with the project’s researchers. The position offers opportunities for international collaboration, conference participation, and publication in leading academic journals. The dissertation will be written as a compilation of scientific papers.

The project is particularly suitable for candidates with an interest in environmental economics, international trade, applied microeconomics, and quantitative methods.

Doctoral Education

The doctoral program comprises four years of full-time study. The candidate is expected to primarily devote their time to doctoral training but may also engage in teaching and other departmental duties up to a maximum of 20% of full time.

The coursework is conducted in collaboration with other universities in Sweden and includes courses in mathematics, microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics, as well as elective courses related to the dissertation.

The program prepares graduates for international academic careers as well as qualified analytical positions in government agencies, international organizations, and the private sector.

The position is fully funded and includes a salary in accordance with Linnaeus University’s doctoral employment agreement.

General syllabus:
 https://lnu.se/globalassets/feh/organisation/utbildning/forskarutbildning/asp-nationalekonomi-rev-210210-eng.pdf

Entry Requirements

General entry requirements

Applicants must have:

• a Master’s degree in Economics, or
• completed at least 240 ECTS credits, of which at least 60 ECTS credits are at the advanced level, or
• equivalent qualifications acquired in Sweden or abroad.

Specific entry requirements

Applicants must have:

• at least 90 ECTS credits in Economics, or equivalent
• strong proficiency in English, both written and spoken

The entry requirements must be fulfilled at the time of admission.

Selection Criteria

Selection is based on the applicant’s ability to successfully complete the doctoral program.

Particular emphasis will be placed on:

• academic performance
• quality of the Master’s thesis
• quantitative and analytical skills
• motivation and research interests
• ability to work independently and collaboratively

GRE test results are highly recommended. TOEFL or IELTS results are recommended for applicants whose native language is not English.

Contact

Professor Hans Grönqvist, Director of PhD Studies in Economics

hans.gronqvist@lnu.se

Professor Andreas Stephan (project leader)
 andreas.stephan@lnu.se

HR Partner Jessica Drott
 jessica.drott@lnu.se

Faculty Administrator Ivana Tomic-Kokic
 ivana.tomic-kokic@lnu.se

Union representatives can be reached via the university switchboard: +46 772-28 80 00

Application

The application must include:

• cover letter
• CV
• academic transcripts and certificates
• Master’s thesis
• contact details of two academic references
• application form:
  https://lnu.se/globalassets/feh/organisation/utbildning/forskarutbildning/ansokningsblankett-antagning-forskarniva-lnu.pdf

Apply via:
 https://lnu.se/en/meet-linnaeus-university/work-at-the-university/

Please indicate reference number: HR-2026/552

Application deadline: June 15, 2026

Linnaeus University has the ambition to utilize the qualities that an even gender distribution and diversity brings to the organization.

Please apply by clicking on the Apply button at the bottom of the ad. Applicants are requested to the application resolving CV, cover letter , a copy of a relevant essay , grades and certificates and other relevant documents. The applicant also requested to submit with their application a proposed research plan within the current area of research. All documents must be attached to digital in the application. The application and other documents shall be marked with the reference number. All documents cited must be received by the University no later than 23.59 (Local time in Sweden) on the closing day.




Linnaeus University is an employer that meets the requirements of the European Charter for Researchers and follows the recruitment guidelines. Therefore, the university has received the HR Excellence in Research award.

Please note that a valid identification must be presented at the time of the interview.