Area: International Trade and Foreign Direct investment (economics)
The Institute for European Studies (IES) at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) calls for applications for the position of a full-time doctoral researcher for a new research project. Final year students, young researchers and other prospective PhD candidates are herewith invited to submit project proposals in the area International Trade and Foreign Direct investment (economics) as it relates to European Studies.
The Institute for European Studies intends to strengthen its research in economics with one PhD researcher working on international trade and/or foreign direct investment. Project proposals by qualified PhD candidates should advance research in line with the IES research strategy that focuses on the EU in an international context.
International trade and foreign direct investment flows are among the most significant drivers of the current period of globalization. With successive rounds of multilateral negotiations at the World Trade Organization, barriers to trade have been dismantled considerably. Similarly, the liberalization of capital markets in the developed countries in the 1980s has ushered in a new era of international capital mobility where foreign direct investment is one of the most important features. Both theoretical and empirical work has concomitantly flourished to explain the patterns, determinants and impact of trade and foreign direct investment flows both for the home and host country.
As the world's largest trading bloc, the European Union (EU) is a key player in driving and providing trade and foreign direct investment flows. Hence, EU policy on external trade in goods, services and assets has a considerable impact on its trading partners as well as its own economy. In October 2006, soon after the collapse of the Doha Development Round of World Trade Organization negotiations, the EU Commission published its new trade policy supporting ambitious bilateral free trade agreements as described in its Global Europe communiqué. The aim of the 'new generation' free trade agreements was to increase the competitiveness of EU firms by providing market access in parts of the world where there is potential for market growth but where significant non-tariff barriers exist. Providing access to such markets is in return expected to boost the competitiveness and productivity of European firms, hence contribute to Lisbon Agenda goals. The new generation of free trade agreements include liberalization of services and investment as well as standard tariff
liberalization. In addition to the Global Europe policy of the EU, the Lisbon Treaty has given additional powers to the EU commission to negotiate bilateral investment treaties. Currently, several hundred bilateral investment treaties between EU member states and non-EU countries are in force. It is for the moment uncertain what will
happen to the existing bilateral investment treaties when the EU starts negotiating on behalf of all 27 member states.
Since the EU is a global actor in driving and providing trade and investment flows, its policies have to be backed by sound research in several new areas. Some of these research areas are new to international trade, such as trade and climate change, or the relationship between direct investment, firm sales and exports. With this call the Institute for European Studies is looking for PhD candidates that can contribute with original work to take existing literature beyond the state-of-the- art on the following topics:
· An analysis of external trade policy of the EU with specific emphasis on its development aspects;
· The future of the World Trade Organization, multilateralism: the EU's role in shaping multilateralism;
· Bilateral trade negotiations of the EU with Taiwan, China;
· New Investment Treaties of EU and the economics of current bilateral investment treaties;
· An analysis of determinants of affiliate sales;
· Trade and climate change.
- Research Proposals: Proposals should have a clear conceptual foundation and focus on one of the issues listed above.
Profile: The successful candidates should have a master’s degree in economics (or a related field) with good study results and have an interest in doing research in international economics. They will be fluent in English and have a thorough knowledge of European policy, law and/or economics. They will be selected on the basis of the
quality of the project proposal and on the basis of their expertise and qualifications. Candidates will need to fill in and send the forms that are available from the IES website http://www.ies.be/phdcall2010 (either in MSWord format, or in PDF format) and send a full CV, a list of publications, a detailed outline (max. 10 pages!) describing the research project, at least one letter of reference and a copy of their most recent diploma.
The IES requires that at least one (co)promoter of the project be from the VUB. The IES may assist successful candidates in finding a suitable (co-)promoter at the VUB. Co-promotership from other Belgian or foreign universities is encouraged. Successful candidates are expected to base themselves in Brussels and work at the IES. Office
space and equipment will be provided along with a budget for travelling and other research-related expenses.
The deadline for applications is: 11 June 2010 (for posts to be taken up as of 1 October or as early as possible thereafter).
The successful candidates will receive a research grant for one year (extendable to 4 years). Prolongation of the contract is subject to the agreement of the doctoral committee. Remuneration is at the level of a full time research assistant at a Flemish university (i.e. approx. € 1.600,00 net per month) and includes contributions for social security / insurance. Secondary employment is not allowed.
Application forms need to be addressed to:
Institute for European Studies
f.a.o. the Academic Director
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Pleinlaan 2
B-1050 Brussels
Belgium
or can be sent by email to: academic.director@ ies.be
Please quote 10 Academic Resources Daily in your application to this opportunity!
