PhD Scholarship in Finance

University College Dublin (UCD) invites applications from both home and international students for PhD Scholarship in the Banking and Finance Department within the UCD College of Business. The College is a dynamic, research-intensive Business School located in the vibrant European capital of Dublin, with a diverse faculty engaged in world-leading research. We seek a highly motivated candidate who is fully committed to undertaking a challenging and rewarding research journey and who aspire to build a successful future career in academia.

You will be supervised by Dr. Iason Kynigakis and Prof. John Cotter, who will provide close guidance and support in developing your research. You will be an integral part of the Department’s research activities, including attending our weekly departmental seminars that attract internationally renowned speakers. We also encourage and support you to present your PhD research at national and international conferences and submit to academic journals. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to study at one of Europe's top Business Schools.

This opportunity is incredibly competitive; therefore, we are looking for a highly motivated, self-driven, and well-qualified student with postgraduate degrees in finance, economics, statistics, mathematics, or related disciplines.

Research will cover topics in:

(1) Financial Econometrics and Forecasting

(2) Applications of Machine Learning in Finance

(3) Empirical Finance and Climate Finance

We provide a rich and engaging research environment for the student. The PhD scholarship offers an attractive package including a tax-free stipend of €25,000 per annum for four years and tuition fee coverage for four years, and support for research activities (such as travel funding, summer schools, and access to a wide array of research databases).

Expressions of interest should include:

• A statement of research interests
• A detailed CV
• Transcripts of degrees
• The name and contact details of two academic referees

Expressions of interest should be sent via email directly to Na Li (na.li@ucd.ie). Informal enquiries may be addressed to Iason Kynigakis (iason.kynigakis@ucd.ie) and John Cotter (john.cotter@ucd.ie). 

Expressions of Interest Deadline: January 31, 2026

Anticipated Start Date: On or before September, 2026

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