Ref: VCS-BUS-03-13

Description:

High quality proposals for a PhD are being sought in the field of growth, employment, distribution, and cohesion in the EU, in particular on the sources of real and nominal economic divergence in the EU in order to design a macroeconomic policy framework to facilitate EU-wide social cohesion. There are strong imbalances within the Euro area as well as EU27. First, there has been a sustained divergence in economic performance and a slow but steady build-up of differences in price levels that are also expressed in substantial differences in intra-Euro area trade performance of different countries. Second, functional income distribution has shifted substantially against labour in virtually all EU countries. The recent financial crisis has laid bare additional short comings of the current macroeconomic policy package, which has few instruments to counter asymmetric developments based on differences in financial sectors. The task of the research will be 1. to explore the role of the present EU policy package in the build-up of macroeconomic imbalances and the decline in the labour share; 2. to explore how the differences in the relations between the real sector and the financial sector in different Member States have translated into different impacts of the financial crises, in particular the Global Recession since 2007; and how the crisis affects labour markets and income distribution further; 3. to explore policy alternatives in order to prevent divergences within the EU and to allow for an effective response to shocks such as financial crises.

We seek proposals which have a comparative and pluralistic approach to the theoretical debates among the different schools of thought. Heterodox approaches, and a focus on alternative approaches to economic policy in the post-crisis environment are welcome. Proposals which bring the theoretical debates into empirical terrain, and illustrate the candidate’s familiarity with quantitative research methods and econometrics are also encouraged. Interdisciplinary approaches and a synthesis of quantitative and qualitative research methods are also welcome. 

The successful candidate will work together with other researchers at the Work and Employment Research Unit (WERU), Centre for Economic Performance, Governance, and Regulation Research (CEPGR), and the Economic Development Resource Centre (EDReC), and will be expected to contribute to the dissemination of research findings in high quality publications and international research networks.

The successful candidate will receive a £13726 bursary (years 2 and 3 linked to RCUK Doctoral Stipend rate) plus a contribution towards tuition fees of up to the equivalent of the university’s Home/EU rate for the duration of their scholarship, subject to performance.

Applicants must hold a First Class or Upper Second Class Honours Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (UK or UK equivalent) in a relevant discipline. 

Applications are sought by the indicated closing date for starting in September 2013.

For further information please contact the supervisors:                

Professor Özlem Onaran o.onaran@greenwich.ac.uk

For additional information about the studentship and links to the application form please go to: http://www2.gre.ac.uk/research/study/studentships 

The application form should be completed and returned to: postgraduateresearch@gre.ac.uk  and include: a comprehensive CV and a covering letter explaining your interest in the project and how it relates to past experience and present motivations. Attachments should be in PDF or Word format.

The closing date for applications is 12.00 UTC on Tuesday 4 June 2013