One or more PhD scholarships in applied economics and economic history: The Age of Crea-tivity – Understanding How Creativity Persists into Later Life

The Department of Economics at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) invites applications for one or more PhD positions within the project The Age of Creativity: Understanding How Creativity Persists into Later Life, funded by a Carlsberg Foundation grant awarded to Professor Karol J. Borowiecki. 

Applicants may be admitted through either the 5+3 or the 4+4 programme. The PhD position is based at SDU’s campus in Odense.

The starting date is flexible, with a preferred start of September 1, 2026.

Description

The successful applicant will join the Historical Economics and Development Group (HEDG), one of Europe’s leading centers for quantitative research in economic history, including the economic history of the arts. 

HEDG is recognized for its strong research profile, attracting substantial external funding and media attention, and publishing widely in top academic outlets. As part of an international department where the working language is English, HEDG provides a vibrant and collaborative research environment. The group and the department are currently expanding and recruiting several young researchers across multiple projects, offering an active and stimulating academic community.

The successful candidate will join the Carlsberg Foundation-funded project The Age of Creativity: Understanding How Creativity Persists into Later Life. The project examines how creativity evolves across the life course, with a particular focus on its persistence into older age. It investigates when creativity peaks, why it can endure, and which personal, social, and institutional factors allow it to flourish over long careers.

Using unique large-scale longitudinal data on artists and academic scholars, the project applies methods from applied econometrics and economic demography to analyze creative productivity, originality, and influence over time. This research addresses a fundamental scientific question and contributes to policy debates on innovation, aging, and lifelong productivity in modern societies.

The successful candidate will contribute to this predefined research agenda while also having the opportunity to develop their own independent research projects aligned with the overall theme of the project.

Qualifications

Applicants should have completed a relevant master’s degree in economics, Mathematics and Economics, or related disciplines. Furthermore, we expect applicants to:

• Have solid knowledge of econometrics and applied quantitative methods.
• Be dedicated, capable of working independently and in cooperation with a PhD supervisor.
• Have strong English skills, both spoken and written. 
• Have good interpersonal skills, be interested in engaging with national and international researchers.

The following qualifications are an advantage

• Demonstrated interest in economic history or cultural economics.
• Some knowledge of demographic methods, longitudinal data analysis, or life-course analysis is an advantage.
• Experience working with large datasets and conducting empirical research.

Further information about the position can be obtained from Head of Administration Astrid Holm Nielsen, e-mail: astni@sam.sdu.dk. For general questions regarding relocation, housing, taxes etc., contact the SDU’s International Staff Office. 

For more information on the department guidelines for qualification and recruitment please see our Appointment Guidelines.

How to apply for this position

Employment as a paid PhD fellow takes place in accordance with the circular of 20 December 2021 on the collective agreement for academics in the state – appendix 5, protocol on PhD fellowships.

An application must include (all attachments must be in Adobe PDF format): 

• A motivational letter describing why the applicant is a good match for the project.
• Detailed CV - the education and work history must be month and year specific.
• A certified copy of your master’s degree certificate including all examination results. Alternatively, the expected date to finish the master’s degree.
• A translation of grades according to the European ECTS system obtained in BA and MSc programmes. 
• A project description (max 5 pages of 2400 characters each, including spaces, notes, appendices, bibliography etc.)
• The application form available on our web page.

On the webpage of the PhD School, you can find the guidelines for preparing your project proposal.

All non-Danish documents must be translated into English.

Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee. The committee may request additional information, and if so, it is the responsibility of the applicant to provide the necessary material.

Once the assessment committee has submitted its report, the applicant will receive the portion of the evaluation that pertains to them.

Applications that are incomplete regarding the above requirements will not be assessed by the committee.

Shortlisting and tests may be used in the assessment process.

As part of the overall assessment of the applicant’s qualifications, an interview may be applied.

Documents should not contain a CPR number (civil registration number) – in this case, the CPR number must be crossed out.

The application and CV must not exceed 10 MB.

The application deadline is April 27, 2026, 23.59 CET/CEST.

Applications must be submitted electronically using the link "Apply online". Uploaded files must be in Adobe PDF (unlocked) or Word format.

We recommend that you read the guideline for applicants. If you experience technical problems, you must contact hcm-support@sdu.dk before the application deadline.

The University of Southern Denmark wishes to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position.