PhD Researcher (Diversity in Action)

PhD Project Description

The Center for Corporate Reporting, Finance, and Tax at Nyenrode Business University invites applications for a fully funded, four-year PhD research project on “Diversity in Action: Bridging Corporate Discourse, Workforce Realities, and Team Performance”.

The PhD project explores the critical societal and organizational relevance of diversity, investigating the alignment between corporate discourse, actual workplace practices, and the measurable success of diverse teams.

Diversity is widely recognized as a driver of innovation, better decision-making, and social equity across corporate, public, and academic sectors. This PhD project adopts a comprehensive, multi-perspective approach to examining diversity, integrating insights from corporate communication, workforce composition, and team-level performance outcomes. Under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Michael Erkens, the PhD candidate will contribute to providing a holistic understanding of how diversity is communicated, enacted, and manifested across different organizational contexts. This PhD research not only addresses crucial gaps in diversity literature but also generates actionable insights for corporate leaders, investors, policymakers, and academic institutions striving to move beyond symbolic gestures towards substantial and effective diversity practices.

The PhD project consists of three empirical studies. It offers an opportunity to contribute to academic and policy discussions on diversity regulation and the effectiveness of current diversity policies. The primary objective is to publish scientific articles in highly ranked, peer-reviewed journals in the field. These publications will ultimately form the foundation of the PhD dissertation, which is written in English. The teaching commitment will not exceed 20% of the appointment.

The PhD project runs for four years. Students are required to complete PhD courses throughout their PhD studies. This coursework consists of training in accounting, finance, and econometrics, tailored to the background of the PhD student.

During these four years, the student will conduct three empirical studies, each developed to a level suitable for submission to top-tier journals in the field. By the end of the program, the goal is for the PhD student to be well-trained and for their research to be sufficiently developed to ensure strong prospects in the (international) academic job market.

Who are we?

Nyenrode Business University

Nyenrode Business University in Breukelen, the Netherlands, was founded in 1946 for and by business. We unite rigorous academic research with real-world relevance and a strong emphasis on personal development. True to our mission, serving society by shaping responsible leaders, we foster the core values of leadership, entrepreneurship, and stewardship in everything we do. Our vibrant and internationally oriented campus offers degree and executive programs in business, management, accountancy, and controlling, powered by a diverse faculty and dynamic research community.

We are looking for

We are looking for a curious, self-motivated researcher who enjoys empirical work. Ideal candidates will have:

• A Master’s degree in accounting, business administration, economics, or finance is preferred.
• Excellent study results for both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
• Interest in and strong motivation for scientific research are explained in a cover letter.
• Experience with data analysis and programming (e.g., Python, R, Stata).
• Strong analytical skills with a solid understanding of quantitative research methods.
• A collaborative mindset, with the ability to contribute effectively to a multidisciplinary research team.
• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken.

What we offer

Nyenrode Business University offers a comprehensive employment package designed to support your professional development throughout your PhD journey:

• Gross monthly salary: ranging from €3.095 to €4.096, depending on experience.
• Paid leave: 30 days off (option to purchase 5 extra days).
• End‑of‑year allowance: fixed 5.1% plus up to 4.5% variable.
• Home‑office support: €850 setup allowance for home office, monthly internet & remote‑working reimbursements, and travel allowance.
• Pension scheme through ABP.
• Bicycle scheme.

Application Procedure

If you are interested in the position, please submit your application—including all the following documents compiled into a single PDF file.

• Cover letter, outlining your motivation for applying and your fit for the position.
• Curriculum Vitae, including a list of publications, if applicable.
• Diplomas and transcripts, for both your Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.
• Two (academic) reference letters, preferably from a thesis supervisor or research project supervisor.
• A copy of your Master’s thesis.
• Proof of English proficiency: Students whose native language is not English are required to demonstrate English proficiency by:
  • holding a degree from a Dutch university or an institution at which English is the language of instruction, or
  • scoring at least 95 on the TOEFL iBT test.

Review of applications starts immediately and continues until the position is filled. Only short-listed candidates will be invited for interviews with the supervisors. The starting date is negotiable.

The application package should be sent to [email protected] Please refer in the subject line to PhD Position Diversity. Please contact Prof. Dr. Michael Erkens ([email protected]) if you have any questions regarding this PhD position.

Nyenrode Business University’s ambition is to create an inclusive working environment where everybody feels involved, valued and recognized. In addition to your talent, experience and motivation, the specific aspects of your identity enriches our organization in various ways. Talent as basis, diversity as power.

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