Program Overview

Introduction to the Dual Career PhD Programme

The Dual Career PhD Programme at UNU-MERIT offers a unique opportunity for researchers to pursue a doctoral degree in Innovation, Economics, Governance, and Sustainable Development, while balancing their existing career responsibilities. This flexible programme enables participants to develop and execute a high-quality research project, culminating in a doctoral degree from Maastricht University.

Programme Information

Core Research Areas

The programme focuses on two core research areas:

• The economics of Innovation and Technology: Topics include the microeconomics of innovation at the firm level, structural change, trade and industrial policy, the transition to sustainable and green technologies, circular economies, and the role of science in development.
• Public Policy and Governance: This area examines the impact of various public policies on development outcomes, including social, migration, labour, and food policies, as well as governance challenges in fiscal and foreign policy.

Programme Structure

The programme is designed to be flexible, allowing participants to combine their coursework with their professional life or research ambitions. The first year involves part-time research and engagement with staff members to develop a PhD research proposal. Participants attend two mandatory two-week workshops in Maastricht, which include key events such as the annual UNU-MERIT Internal Conference and the PhD Research Week.

Subsequent Years

In subsequent years, doctoral fellows work on their dissertation at their own pace, collaborating with their supervisors and meeting online regularly. They attend two full-time workshops of one week each in Maastricht every year, participating in the internal conference and PhD presentations.

Selection Criteria

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the programme, applicants must:

• Hold a Master's degree from a relevant academic field, with a strong academic background in one of the core disciplines of the institute.
• Demonstrate a documented theoretical and practical understanding of one or more of the topics of interest.
• Have spoken and written fluency in English, as demonstrated through an approved test for applicants from non-English-speaking countries.
• Obtain approval and support from their current employer to participate in the PhD programme.

Desired Qualifications

Desirable qualifications include:

• Knowledge of both qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Knowledge of the design, development, and/or use of data, modelling, and simulation methods.
• Proficiency in academic writing.
• Access to a complementary professional network or unique data.

Application Process

The application process involves submitting an online application form, along with the following documents:

• Application letter (1 page) concerning motivation for undertaking a PhD.
• Research proposal (2-3 pages) presenting the idea for the PhD project.
• Complete CV with information on education and previous research experience.
• Copy of passport (PDF or JPEG).
• Electronic copies of certified certificates and grades, with an explanation of the grading system.
• Applicants from non-English-speaking countries must document English skills through an approved test.

Tuition and Funding

The tuition fees for the programme are:

• Year one: 9,000.
• Subsequent years: 7,000. The tuition fees include all programme-related costs, but do not cover costs associated with books, specific research costs, travel costs, visa, and accommodation.

Profiles of Dual Career PhD Fellows

The programme welcomes researchers with a Master's degree, strong academic records, and professional or volunteer experience. Participants are typically early to mid-career professionals, including policy analysts, researchers, and academic consultants from the public and private sectors, international organisations, and research institutes.

Graduates

The programme has produced several graduates, including:

• Lotte Geunis, Parliamentary Adviser at International IDEA.
• Walter Mauricio Hernán Céspedes Quiroga, Vice Minister of Science and Technology, Bolivia.
• Olga Rataj, Economist at the United Nations.
• Márcia da Mota Darós, Associate Research Fellow at Institute for Economic Research on Innovation.

Code of Conduct

The programme adheres to the European Charter for Researchers and the Netherlands Code of Conduct for Scientific Practice, ensuring transparency, equal treatment, and fair framework conditions for researchers.