PhD in Economic Policy & Public Administration

3 years, full-time, English-taught, based in Ostrava and Prague (Czech Republic)

About the programme

The PhD in Economic Policy & Public Administration at the European Research University is a three-year, full-time, English-taught doctoral programme based in the Czech Republic and accredited by the Czech Ministry of Education. It is delivered using ERUNI's European research network, with research colleges in London, Amsterdam, Rome, and Paris. The programme operates as a structured research platform. Our funding track provides full financial support of up to EUR 250,000 over three years (plus publication rewards, where applicable).

Core programme features

• Team-based supervision (primary supervisor and second advisor),
• Regular work-in-progress seminars and internal peer review,
• Milestone-based progress monitoring (quarterly updates and an annual panel review),
• Opportunities for research mobility across our European Research Colleges.

Scope

Research must fall within Economic Policy & Public Administration. Indicative pillars include:

• Public finance, taxation, expenditure programmes, and policy evaluation,
• Labour, inequality, and social policy,
• Monetary and financial policy, regulation, macro-financial stability,
• Competition policy, market power, and productivity,
• Governance, public administration, and policy implementation,
• Trade, geopolitics, and policy risk.

What the programme offers

• A fully accredited, English-taught doctoral programme within a European research network,
• Structured supervision with a primary supervisor and second advisor,
• Platform infrastructure: work-in-progress seminars, writing and publishing support, methodological support, internal peer review,
• An above-standard funded track for outstanding candidates, with correspondingly higher output expectations.

Funding & financial conditions 

• Monthly stipend: up to EUR 4.000
• Doctoral research grant (Foundation FOR THE FUTURE): up to EUR 80.000 over 3 years for dissertation-related research costs  
• Full support for conferences, summer schools, workshops, etc.: up to EUR 8.000 per year  
• Performance-based rewards for high-quality publications  

Candidate profile

We invite applications from candidates with:

• A strong academic background in Economics, Public Policy, or a closely related discipline (MSc/MA required),
• Demonstrated research capacity, evidenced by a writing sample,
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a research team,
• Readiness for a structured programme with regular progress reporting, peer feedback, and ongoing research outputs.

Application materials

Please submit a single PDF containing:

1. CV, including methodological, software, and data skills
2. Academic transcripts (MSc/MA and BSc/BA)
3. Writing sample (manuscript, thesis chapter, working paper, or research report)
4. Motivation letter (1–2 pages) addressing your interest in the programme and your research and career objectives
5. Contact details for two academic referees (letters will be requested at the shortlist stage)

Selection criteria

• Fit with the programme's scope,
• Research potential, originality, and feasibility,
• Quality of writing and argumentation,
• Readiness for platform-based work (work-in-progress engagement, peer feedback),
• Demonstrated capacity to deliver a publication pipeline within the three-year programme

Timeline

• Application deadline: 31 August 2026
• 1st round decisions announced: 6 September 2026

Programme start:  1 October 2026