PhD position in Finance
(ref. BAP-2026-282)
Laatst aangepast: 11/05/26
The Department of Accounting, Finance & Insurance is looking for highly motivated candidates, interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in Business Economics at KU Leuven on topics related to corporate finance or corporate governance.
Project
The PhD project will be linked to the supervisors' research agendas in corporate finance and corporate governance (theoretical and/or empirical). Examples include questions on the optimal design of financial contracts and securities, executive compensation and managerial incentives, corporate disclosure and financial reporting (including intangible liabilities and CSR), the firm-level effects of financial, labour-market, or environmental regulation, and sustainable finance. Other topics within the broad field of corporate finance — such as capital structure, payout policy, capital allocation, corporate investment and M&A, or banking — can also be discussed based on the candidate's interests.
Profile
To enter the doctoral program immediately, students must have successfully completed a master's degree in business economics, economics, econometrics, finance, business engineering, or an adjacent quantitative discipline (e.g., mathematics, statistics, physics, or computer science) by September 2026.
Successful candidates should have excellent qualifications at bachelor and master level, a genuine enthusiasm for academic research, and the ambition to pursue a research career. They should also have a high level of proficiency in English sufficient to communicate effectively with colleagues.
Offer
We offer a full-time position as a Ph.D. scholarship recipient, consisting of an initial period of 12 months, which – upon positive evaluation – will be extended to a maximum of 4 years.
The individualized doctoral program allows the doctoral student to devote four years to full-time research. The program ultimately leads to a doctoral degree and prepares the student for an academic career at a top university or a career as a researcher in a policy institution.
Detailed information about the program, including admission requirements and placement records, can be found at https://feb.kuleuven.be/research/PhD/businesseconomics/Business
The Department of Accounting, Finance & Insurance offers a dynamic, stimulating and pleasant working environment. The student will be part of the Research Group Finance, which enjoys a strong international reputation and is part of a wide network consisting of other universities, companies and institutions.
Doctoral Program in Business Economics
Homepage of AFI
Interested?
The application should include the following documents:
- Curriculum vitae
- Research statement
- Transcript of all university grades
- (recommended) GRE or GMAT test score and/or evidence of English proficiency such as TOEFL or IELTS test scores
You can apply for this job no later than June 08, 2026 via the online application tool
KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.
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