The Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER) is Hiring 2 Pre-Doctoral Researchers

The Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER) is recruiting up to 2 Pre-Doctoral Researcher (f/m) for the ERC-project “Rural Structural Transformation in Developing Countries” (RUSTDEC)

The Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER) is a leading publicly funded research institute based in Luxembourg.

Dedicated to applied empirical research in economic, social, and spatial sciences, LISER is internationally recognised for its scientific excellence and societal impact.

With approximately 200 employees—60% of whom are researchers in economics, geography, and sociology—LISER attracts top scholars and contributes actively to high-level academic training. The institute’s mission is to promote multidisciplinary and intersectoral research that supports sustainable and inclusive societies at both national and international levels.

Pre-Doctoral Researcher (f/m) – ERC Project “RUSTDEC”

Reference: 26-07
Location: Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg (Belval Campus)
Deadline: March 15, 2026

LISER is recruiting up to two Pre-Doctoral Researchers (f/m) for the ERC-funded project:

Rural Structural Transformation in Developing Countries (RUSTDEC)

This exciting research opportunity is part of the Research Programme: Crossing Borders & Migration and offers candidates the chance to work within a dynamic international academic environment.

Contract Details

• Duration: 12-month fixed-term contract (possible extension up to 12 months)
• Workload: Full-time (40 hours per week)
• Location: LISER premises, Belval Campus, Luxembourg
• Start Date: 2026
• Application Deadline: March 15, 2026

Project Overview: RUSTDEC

The ERC-funded project “Rural Structural Transformation in Developing Countries” (RUSTDEC) investigates:

• The causes and consequences of structural transformation in developing countries
• The interaction between economic transformation and climate change
• Implications for development, spatial, and environmental economics

The selected candidates will be based at LISER and co-supervised by Dr. Andre Groeger, Principal Investigator of the project, along with work package collaborators. The role provides outstanding learning opportunities and exposure to high-impact academic research.

Key Responsibilities

The Pre-Doctoral Researchers will provide research support across multiple project work packages. Responsibilities may include:

• Data collection, management, and cleaning
• Econometric and structural modelling analysis
• Conducting systematic literature reviews
• Preparing reproducible replication packages
• Supporting documentation and research dissemination

This role is ideal for early-career researchers seeking hands-on experience in quantitative economic research within an internationally funded project.

Candidate Profile

LISER is seeking motivated and analytically skilled candidates who meet the following criteria:

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Economics (MSc preferred)
• 1–3 years of research experience
• Strong programming skills in Stata, R, or Python
• Excellent written and spoken English

Advantageous Skills

• Knowledge of Dynare, GIS, or Matlab
• Familiarity with development, spatial, or environmental economics
• Proficiency in German and/or French

Successful applicants will demonstrate enthusiasm for academic research and strong analytical and writing capabilities.

LISER particularly encourages female applicants to apply as part of its commitment to diversity and inclusion.

What LISER Offers

Working at LISER provides access to a stimulating, multicultural research environment and competitive employment conditions.

Benefits Include:

• Competitive remuneration under the applicable Collective Labour Agreement
• Half of a 13th-month salary
• Meal vouchers
• Flexible working hours
• Teleworking options
• 32.5 days of annual leave (full-time contract)
• Investment in professional development through trainings, seminars, and workshops

Researchers also benefit from being embedded in a vibrant academic community with strong international collaboration networks.

A Prime Research Location: Belval Campus

LISER is located at the Cité des Sciences in Belval, southern Luxembourg. The campus hosts several prominent research institutions, including:

• University of Luxembourg
• Luxembourg Income Study
• Luxembourg Institute of Health
• Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology

This research ecosystem fosters collaboration across disciplines and sectors, offering an intellectually rich environment for early-career scholars.

How to Apply

Interested candidates must submit their application in English via the official LISER recruitment portal before March 15, 2026.

Required Documents:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Motivation Letter
• Recent research work (e.g., Master’s thesis)
• Copy of Master’s diploma and transcripts
• Two reference letters (sent directly by referees to recruitment@liser.lu)

For administrative inquiries, applicants may contact Mrs. Vanya Kirova at recruitment@liser.lu.

Why Choose LISER?

LISER stands out as an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to:

• Scientific excellence
• International collaboration
• Inclusive research culture
• Societal impact

As a globally connected institute located in the heart of Europe, LISER offers early-career researchers a strong foundation for pursuing doctoral studies or research-intensive careers.

Apply Now

Researchers passionate about development economics, structural transformation, and climate-related economic change are encouraged to apply and contribute to the impactful RUSTDEC project at LISER.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering the scholarships. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.