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 [email protected])
For administrative inquiries, applicants may contact Mrs. Vanya Kirova at [email protected].
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.
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.
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