PHD Special Call: in Econometrics at the Aarhus Center for Econometrics

Aarhus BSS Graduate School, Aarhus University invites applicants for a PhD Scholarship in connection with the research project PHD in Econometrics at the Aarhus Center for Econometrics at the PhD Programme Econmics and Business Economics.

The position is available from 1 September 2027.

The research project
The PhD project will focus on econometric theory and methodology within the research agenda of the Aarhus Center for Econometrics (ACE). A central aim of ACE is to develop methods for estimation and inference that remain reliable when conventional assumptions do not adequately describe the data or the statistical problem.

Applicants are invited to propose a focused and original project within this broad framework. Potential research topics include:

• Cluster dependence: developing and studying methods for estimation and inference when observations within groups are dependent.
• High-dimensional models: developing methods and establishing their properties in settings with many parameters or explanatory variables relative to the sample size.
• Outliers: understanding how unusual observations affect econometric procedures and developing methods that are less sensitive to their influence.
• Bootstrap methods: studying when bootstrap procedures provide reliable approximations and developing procedures for settings in which standard approaches perform poorly.
• Nonparametric inference: developing methods for estimation and inference under flexible assumptions about functional forms or distributions.

These topics illustrate the scope of the call rather than prescribe particular research questions. Applicants may propose other closely related topics within ACE’s research agenda. Projects should make a clear contribution to econometric theory or methodology. Simulation studies and empirical applications may form part of the research where relevant, but they are not the focus area.

The research group/center
ACE is hosted by the Department of Economics and Business Economics at Aarhus University and is funded by a Danish National Research Foundation Center of Excellence grant for 2025–2031. The center focuses on developing econometric theory and methodology, particularly methods that remain reliable when classical assumptions fail.

ACE brings together researchers from Aarhus University and an international network that includes the University of Oxford, Princeton University, MIT, and UC Berkeley. The PhD student will become part of this research environment, with opportunities to discuss ongoing work, present research, and develop collaborations through seminars, conferences, visits, and a research stay abroad.

Further information about the center and its research is available at www.econ.au.dk/ace

Jobdescription
The successful applicant will join the Aarhus Center for Econometrics (ACE) and develop an independent PhD project in collaboration with researchers at the center. The research will involve formulating research questions, developing econometric methods, establishing their theoretical properties, and communicating the results through research papers and presentations. Depending on the project, the work may also include simulation studies and empirical applications.

Applicants must submit a project description explaining how they would carry out research within the scope of the call. The description should identify a focused research question, explain its relevance to the existing literature, outline the expected contribution and proposed approach, and describe its connection to research at ACE. Applicants should also discuss the feasibility of the project within the relevant PhD program. The proposal should demonstrate an understanding of the research problem and a promising approach; applicants are not expected to have resolved the main theoretical questions in advance.

The PhD student will participate in ACE’s seminars, conferences, and other research activities, working both independently and with other researchers. The project will include a research stay abroad of three to nine months, potentially with one of ACE’s external members. There will also be opportunities to interact with external members during their visits to Aarhus.

Coursework and teaching form part of the position. The successful applicant will complete the PhD education in accordance with the rules and regulations for the PhD program.

The PhD project is to be carried out as part of the research project. The PhD student´s role in the research questions listed above will depend on the chosen candidate and his / her own PhD project description related to the topic of the overall project. Hence, you must write a project description on how you would carry out the research within the frames of the overall project.

During the project you will complete a PhD education as described in the rules and regulations for the PhD programme

Your qualifications
We seek applicants with a strong quantitative background in economics and econometrics or statistics, excellent analytical and mathematical skills, and a strong interest in research in econometric theory and methodology.

Applicants should have a solid foundation in econometrics or statistical theory, probability, and mathematics relevant to their proposed research. They should demonstrate the ability and motivation to engage with theoretical arguments and develop independent research questions. Relevant preparation may be documented through coursework, a thesis, research projects, or research-assistant experience.

We also expect applicants to be able to communicate research clearly in written and spoken English and to work both independently and collaboratively. Finally, we expect you to have a sincere interest in the world of research and academia in general.

Further information
For further information about the position, please contact morten Ørregaard Nielsen, Email: mon@econ.au.dk,

If you need help uploading your application or have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Coordinator Ulla Bjørn, upb@au.dk

Place of work
Universitetsbyen 51-55, 8000 Aarhus C

Formal Requirements
You can read more about how to apply in the application guide and find the rules and regulations of the PhD education here.

The following criteria are decisive in the assessment of the candidates:

• the applicant’s academic qualifications (assessed on the basis of the qualifying degree)
• the quality and relevance of the project proposal
• the applicant’s level of academic aptitude and assessed ability to complete the project within the framework of the PhD programme

You can read more about the assessment procedure and committees appointed by the dean here.

Applicants are very much encouraged to supply documentation as to how they rank compared to their class (both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees). This may for example be in the form of a letter from your University stating either how you rank as an individual student compared to other students the year you graduated ("ranks as no. 6 out of 111" or "ranks as among the best 8 percent") or if that is not possible, general information from your University as to how grades were distributed in the year of your graduation, will be appreciated.

Please note that Aarhus BSS Graduate School reserves the right to evaluate the applications on the basis of the documentation received before deadline, and you will not necessarily be asked for further documentation. Furthermore, Aarhus BSS Graduate School reserves the right to reject application that do not comply with the limitations as stated in the application guide (see link above).

Terms of enrolment
PhD students at Aarhus BSS Graduate School are always enrolled at one of the six PhD programmes. It is not a prerequisite for admission to a PhD program to have an educational background within the specific program. What matters is that the PhD project is relevant to the program. Relevant professional experience may also serve as an additional qualification when assessing applicants. The enrolment happens in accordance with the Ministerial PhD Order no. 1124 of 19 September, 2025 and the terms stated in the Rules and Regulations for the PhD programmes at Aarhus BSS Graduate School. Both can be found here.

Terms of employment
If you are offered employment at Aarhus University in connection with enrolment in the 3-year scheme, the appointment is made in accordance with the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities as well as the circular on the Collective Agreement for Academics Employed by the State (in Danish). The job content and qualification requirements are described in further detail in the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

You can read more about the structure of the PhD education here.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Aarhus University
Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 37,000 students (FTEs) and 8,700 employees and has an annual revenue of EUR 1.106 billion. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/