Doctoral Position - Junior Research Fellow
Data-driven Social Policy Research
Fully Funded PhD in Management at EBS:
Join the “Applied Economics and Policy Studies” research group to explore education, labour markets, and social policies using experimental and quantitative methods!
The Estonian Business School (EBS) invites qualified candidates interested in data-driven social policy research for a fully funded full-time doctoral position (40 hours/week) in the “Applied Economics and Policy Studies” knowledge team. The position will begin on 1 January 2026 (or as soon as possible thereafter) and run for four years, subject to annual progress reviews. The position is based in Tallinn, Estonia.
Research Context
The doctoral position is situated within the “Applied Economics and Policy Studies” knowledge team at EBS—a research and teaching unit focused on using quantitative research methods to establish causal inference in the key research areas of education, labour market transitions, values, and welfare policy, with a focus on efficiency-equity tradeoffs.The project itself centres on experimental and quasi-experimental approaches, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and survey experiments, along with the collection and analysis of experimental data. The team values methodological rigour, policy relevance, and social impact.
The Position
The doctoral researcher will be embedded in a team led by Prof. Dr. Kaire Põder and co-supervised by Dr. Niveditha Prabakaran. The candidate will:- Conduct quantitative and experimental research
- Work with large datasets and administer surveys
- Contribute to primary data collection and data cleaning
- Support the creation of an open-access data repository at EBS
Participation in EU-funded collaborative research projects, such as EDUMERIT (PI: Dr. Triin Lauri) and BRIDGE (PI: Dr. Kaire Põder) is an integral part of the position. In addition, the candidate will contribute to research-based teaching in education and applied economics, and gain hand-on experience by supervising Bachelor’s
Key Responsibilities
- The doctoral candidate is expected to:
- Develop an independent research agenda related to the project (by the end of Year 1)
- Collaborate closely with the supervisors and project teams
- Co-author research articles with other project members, including the supervisors and project head
- Assist in research dissemination (seminars, webinars, conferences)
- Teach or assist in courses (including thesis supervision), especially those on quantitative or method-specific topics.
Essential and Preferred Qualifications
Essential:
- Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Economics, Political science, Sociology, Business, Education science, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related field
- Demonstrated interest in applied economics, education policy, or social research
- Intermediate skills in data analysis (e.g. coursework in statistics, econometrics)
- Experience with at least one data analysis tool: STATA, R, Python, SPSS, or similar
- Strong collaboration skills and interest in academic teamwork
- Fluent in written and spoken English
- Medium-level Estonian language
Preferred:
- Prior experience with quantitative or experimental methods in social science
- Familiarity with interdisciplinary collaboration
- Background in labour economics, education research, or applied microeconomics
How to Apply
Submit the following documents (in English) by 1 November 2025 to kaire.poder@ebs.ee:- 1-page motivation letter reflecting your suitability for the position based on the qualifications above
- GMAT or GRE scores (alternatively: transcript reflecting grades in mathematics/statistics)
- University diplomas and diploma supplements
Kaire Põder
I am an education economist specializing in educational equity and inequality. My work focuses on applying quasi-experimental evaluation methods to contribute to evidence-informed education policies and practices.
Work Environment and Remuneration
- A monthly gross salary of €2,500–€3,000, based on experience
- Opportunities for international collaboration and conference participation
- The opportunity to conduct impactful, data-driven social research
About EBS
Estonian Business School is the oldest private university in the Baltics and the only private university in Estonia. Our research faculty includes 30 full-time academics, supported by approximately 45 PhD students and 1,000 Bachelor’s and Master’s students, forming a vibrant international community. The “Applied Economics and Policy Studies” group is known for interdisciplinary, independent, and collaborative research addressing real-world societal challenges.