Overview
Department of Management, Strategy and Innovation (MSI). KU LEUVEN, Department of Management, Strategy and Innovation (MSI). Research Field Economics » Business economics. Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1). Application Deadline 21 May 2026 - 23:59 (UTC). Country Belgium. Type of Contract To be defined. Job Status Full-time. Offer Starting Date 1 Aug 2026. Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme. Reference Number BAP-2026-232. Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No.
Offer Description
The candidate will engage in academic research and is expected to obtain a doctoral degree within 4 years, under supervision of Prof. dr. René Belderbos and Prof. dr. Liudmila Alekseeva. In the first year, the doctoral course program has to be completed at the FEB KU Leuven. Doctoral students are also expected to assist in the supervision of Master theses within the domain of their research and expertise. Research will be part of a funded project regarding the role of the connectivity between entrepreneurial ecosystems on (mobile) innovative entrepreneurial ventures. The project will draw on the entrepreneurship, regional economics, and innovation literatures, with empirical application to large firm-level datasets and patent-based innovation indicators. The project will involve international collaboration with Maastricht University and co-supervisor Prof. Dr. Erik Stam at Utrecht University. The candidate will pursue a joint PhD degree awarded by KU Leuven and Maastricht University. During the first two years the PhD student will be employed at KU Leuven and the final two years at Maastricht University.
Candidates have a background in (Business) Economics, Business Engineering, Business studies, or related domains. They preferably have obtained a research master’s degree with due attention to quantitative and methodological courses. Excellent skills in handling large databases, quantitative methods, and programming are required. Candidates have a strong interest in academic research and can show excellent (honors-level) results in prior studies. Candidates are fluent in spoken and written English.
We offer a 1-year contract renewable each year up to a total of 4 years. PhD candidates at KU Leuven and Maastricht University have a salaried position with social security coverage.
For more information please contact Prof. dr. Rene Belderbos, mail: rene.belderbos@kuleuven.be or Prof. dr. Liudmila Alekseeva, mail: liudmila.alekseeva@kuleuven.be. Applicants must submit the following documents: a short application letter and motivation statement, a curriculum vitae, university transcripts with a description of the grading system and courses followed, two reference letters, and if available a GMAT or GRE test results.
Eligibility criteria
Candidates have a background in (Business) Economics, Business Engineering, Business studies, or related domains. They preferably have obtained a research master’s degree with due attention to quantitative and methodological courses. Excellent skills in handling large databases, quantitative methods, and programming are required. Candidates are fluent in spoken and written English.
Selection process
For more information please contact Prof. dr. Rene Belderbos, mail: rene.belderbos@kuleuven.be or Prof. dr. Liudmila Alekseeva, mail: liudmila.alekseeva@kuleuven.be. Applicants must submit the following documents: a short application letter and motivation statement, a curriculum vitae, university transcripts with a description of the grading system and courses followed, two reference letters, and if available a GMAT or GRE test results.
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