The Lund University School of Economics and Management has a well established reputation for wide-ranging research with an emphasis on long-term processes, and with economic theory and quantitative methods as important methodological tools. Strong research areas at the department include economic growth and structural change, innovation, energy and sustainability, development economics, and economic demography, as well as financial history and education and the labour market.
They are seeking applicants with a strong commitment to understanding the drivers of long-run economic development in Africa, particularly those with quantitative skills, experience with survey data, and a keen interest in health-related issues.
Project
This research project investigates how colonial-era investments in maternal healthcare continue to shape health outcomes today. Despite progress, maternal and infant mortality remain high in parts of Africa, with significant inequalities in healthcare access and trust. By combining historical records with contemporary survey data, the project traces the evolution of state-provided maternal health services across different colonies. It examines the long-term impact of these policies and investments on fertility trends, population dynamics, and health disparities. The PhD candidate will contribute to uncovering these historical connections and their implications for contemporary maternal and child health challenges in the region.
Assigned duties
Those appointed to doctoral studentship shall primarily devote themselves to their studies, aimed to result in a doctoral degree. Work carried out during the studentship consists of participation in research projects as well as successful participation in postgraduate (third-cycle) courses. Those appointed to doctoral studentships may also work, to a limited extent, with educational tasks and administration at the Department of Economic history. However, duties of this kind may not comprise of more than 20 per cent of a fulltime post.
The PhD position is linked to the research project ‘Birthing Inequity: Legacies of Colonial Maternal Health and Child Welfare Services in Africa’. The PhD student will work in this project in collaboration with other project members.
Eligibility / Admission requirements
A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if he or she has:
- Been awarded a second-cycle degree; or
- Satisfied the requirements for courses comprising of at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle; or
- Acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.
(Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 7, Section 39)
Specific admission requirements for doctoral studies in each subject are specified in the relevant general syllabus, available at Doctoral studies | Lund University School of Economics and Management (LUSEM); A proficient level of English is required in both written and oral communication. Demonstrated quantitative skills are required and good abilities in data management and statistical programming (STATA/R) are considered as merits.
Terms of employment & Application
Fixed-term employment, maximum four years (fulltime studies). Only those admitted to third-cycle courses and study programmes at a higher education may be appointed to doctoral student.
For regulations concerning employment of doctoral students etc, see the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 5, Sections 1-7. For regulations concerning admission to third-cycle courses and study programs, see the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 5, Sections 34-41.
- Type of employment: Temporary position
- First day of employment: 2025-08-25
- Monthly salary
Please use Lund University job application portal when applying: Work at Lund University | Lund University
The application must be written in English and should contain:
- Personal letter in which the applicant gives a short description of him/herself and his/her research interests and its relevance for the project, maximum 3 pages
- Curriculum vitae
- Grade transcripts
- Master thesis or similar degree projects
- If appropriate, documented language skills relevant for third-cycle studies
- Other documents that the applicant wishes to submit
- The applicant is encouraged to provide the names of a maximum of two teachers or researchers who are willing to provide references and the department can contact, but recommendation letters should not be included in the application.
Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. They regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset.