PhD Studentship (3 years): Firm internationalisation and R&D strategy in the evolving global value chains

PhD Studentship (3 years): Firm internationalisation and R&D strategy in the evolving global value chains

Closing Date: 19^th May 2023 [11.59pm GMT]

The position is available to start in October 2023.

Interviews are expected to take place on 5^th and 6^th June 2023.

Applications are invited for a three-year Postgraduate studentship, supported by the College of Business and Social Sciences, to be undertaken within Economics, Finance and Entrepreneurship Department, Aston Business School at Aston University. The successful applicant will join the Centre for Business Prosperity working on Global strategy and performance.

This studentship includes a fee bursary to cover the tuition fees, plus a maintenance allowance. The figure of the maintenance allowance is yet to be confirmed. For reference, the figure for the 2022/3 academic year is £17,668. 

The PhD research will build on the work Centre for Business Prosperity has done in recent years to examine firm’s global strategy of investment and R&D collaboration in the fast-evolving global value chains and the twin-transition mission. The study will take perspectives of firms, industries, regions and nations, both aiming at furthering our understanding on existing trends but also identifying future opportunities for growth. Projects will be jointly designed with the successful candidates, taking on board the broad contexts – likely movement of capitals globally due to the US’ Inflation Reduction Act and EU’s Green Deal Industrial Plan, UK’s EU exit and new geopolitical environment.

The successful applicant will work with Professor Jun Du, Dr Agelos Delis and Dr Dalila Ribaudo on interdisciplinary research in the following areas:

• Firm internationalisation strategy
• Global value chains development;
• Sustainability and net zero transition
• Internationalisation of technology development

The research will draw on COMTRADE product level data, Orbis IP database, ONS/HMRC Trade in Goods and International Trade in Services Database, as well ONS enterprise level data. Advanced econometrics will be used to develop rigorous analysis for answering the research questions.

The successful applicant should hold the equivalent of a UK First or Upper Second Class Honours undergraduate degree from an approved university or higher education institution. They should also hold, or expect to achieve, a Masters degree with an overall weighted average of 65% in economics or economics of management. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in economics, international economics, or international business (using quantitative methods), excellent analytical, quantitative and computing skills, and excellent written and oral communication skills in English. He/she will have a good understanding of, and interest in, applied research on international economics, particularly from a business and/or regional lens. Additional research training will be offered in research methodologies.

Contact: Professor Jun Du (j.du@aston.ac.uk)

As part of the application, you will need to supply:

• A copy of your current CV
• Copies of your academic qualifications for your Bachelor degree, and Masters degree; this should include both certificates and transcripts, and must be translated in to English.
• A research proposal statement*
• A personal statement
• Two academic references
• Proof of your English Language proficiency

*Candidates should take this opportunity to detail how their knowledge and experience will benefit the project and should also be accompanied by a brief review of relevant research literature.

For details of how to submit your application, and the necessary supporting documents, please click on the ‘Apply’ button above.

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