Doctoral degree
Full time
Economics and Business

Admission to the PhD programme at the School of Economics and Business conditions the applicant to document:

- grade A or B on the master's thesis,

- average grade B or above on courses included in the master’s degree (120 credits),

- average grade C or above on courses included in the bachelor’s degree (180 credits), or

- equivalent grades from previous education with other grading systems/ grading scales.

Relevant academic backgrounds will be a master's degree in economics, economics and business administration, entrepreneurship and innovation, or similar programmes relevant to the PhD project. An MBA degree does not fulfill the requirements for admission.

Our vacant PhD positions (research fellow) are announced in February every year under vacant positions: https://www.nmbu.no/en/about/vacancies

Start of Studies:

August

The aim of the programme is to qualify candidates for research of international standard within all the department’s subject areas, and for other work that require scientific insight and analytical thinking and skills.

As a PhD student at the school, you become part of an international and ambitious research environment. You get to work closely with renowned researchers, conduct independent research and develop your teaching skills. As a PhD student, you will also participate in one or more of the faculty's research groups.

The School of Economics and Business offers professional specialization in economics, finance, organizational theory, innovation, entrepreneurship and management.

Career opportunities

The PhD programme in Economics and Business shall qualify candidates for research of international standard within all the department’s subject areas, and for other work where there are high demands on scientific insight and analytical thinking.

Upon completing the doctoral degree, you will be awarded the title PhD (Philosophiae doctor).

Learning outcomes
LEARNING OUTCOMES
KNOWLEDGE
On completion of the PhD programme, the new doctor is expected to:
* Have in-depth knowledge in the chosen subject area and be at the forefront of knowledge within their specific area of research.
* Have in-depth knowledge about scientific theories and methods within the field.
* Be able to assess and analyze different theories, methods and processes in research and academic development projects, also from an international perspective.
* Be able to contribute to the development of new knowledge, new theories and methods in the field.
SKILLS
On completion of the PhD programme, the new doctor is expected to:
* Be able to formulate research issues, and to plan and conduct research and academic development work of high international standards within the subject area.
* Be able to handle complex scientific questions and to challenge established knowledge and practice in the field.
* Be able to contribute to the development of new knowledge, new theories and methods within their subject area, master relevant social science and statistical methods and be able to assess the utility and limitations of different methods.
* Be able to handle complexity, create an overview and synthesize scientific information.
* Be able to perform critical assessments and give constructive criticism on scientific work in their field.
GENERAL COMPETENCE
On completion of the PhD programme, the new doctor is expected to:
* Be able to conduct the research with professional and ethical integrity, and to identify new relevant ethical issues.
* Be able to participate in complex interdisciplinary tasks and projects.
* Be able to disseminate research and development work through recognized national and international channels, and to participate in scientific debates in international forums.
* Be able to disseminate the research findings to the authorities and public administration, to companies and organizations, and to the general public through contact with the media.
* Be able to teach students within their subject area or field of specialization.
* Be able to place own research in broad academic and societal contexts.
* Be able to assess the need for and, if required, stimulate innovation in the field.
Exchange possibilities
NMBU facilitates national and international exchanges. Part of the doctoral work or doctoral courses may be taken at other Norwegian or foreign academic institutions when it can be incorporated into the plans, and funding has been secured.
Program structure
ACADEMIC CONTENT AND STRUCTURE
The PhD programme in Economics and Business is based at NMBU¿s School of Economics and Business. The programme is based on the general description of the PhD education at NMBU, and is regulated by the Regulations for the Degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences. Supplementary regulations are given by the department.
The programme has a nominal duration of three years. The programme consists of required coursework and a thesis. The course package must contain a minimum of 45 credits and is put together in collaboration with the candidate, the supervisor and the department (the research committee), depending on the subject area of the thesis and the candidate¿s background and needs.
The coursework must provide knowledge about the forefront of research in the field, i.e. ongoing research and unanswered questions. Courses both at NMBU and other higher education institutions may be included in the degree. Students are also encouraged to spend one to two semesters at recognized universities abroad, if possible.
The thesis usually consists of 3-4 articles, and the candidate must demonstrate through the choice of analysis methods and research issues that he/she is capable of conducting independent research work of high quality. Publishing findings in good international journals is an important goal.
PhD students must submit annual progress reports on a standard form by 1. February every year. Deviations from the plan must be explained. The requirement of a progress report is set out in section 9.1. PhD students and supervisors share responsibility for progress.
All PhD candidates must attend three regular seminars at the Department (see section 9.1): an introductory seminar after approximately 6 months, a midway assessment seminar after approximately 1.5-2 years and a final seminar approximately 6 months before submitting the doctoral thesis. The midway assessment seminar must be carried out in accordance with section 9.2. The seminars are considered to be part of the required coursework and quality assurance of the PhD programme, and will give the students useful feedback for the work ahead.
More about the program
- Societal relevance
  The PhD programme in Economics and Business shall qualify candidates for research of international standard within all the department's subject areas, and for other work where there are high demands on scientific insight and analytical thinking. Students must learn to work in accordance with recognized principles of academic and research ethics. The objective of the PhD education is to give candidates knowledge, skills and expertise in line with the Norwegian qualifications framework.
- Learning activities
  MEANS OF ACQUIRING THE KNOWLEDGE
  * The required coursework of at least 45 academic credits, which offers comprehensive in-depth competence.
  * Reading and keeping updated on literature within their field of specialization.
  * Completing an independent work of research of international standard.
  MEANS OF ACQUIRING THE SKILLS
  * Participating in planning and shaping the PhD project in detail and, if applicable, participating in the planning of new project applications.
  * Supervision and own research, where the PhD candidate actively benefits from the competence of the supervisory team.
  * Developing his/her own international academic network.
  * Attending courses on research methods and writing when relevant.
  * Working on publications, submissions to journals and handling comments from referees.
  * Working on the thesis.
  * Participating in peer review of scientific manuscripts, giving feedback on colleagues' manuscripts.
  * Attending seminars where other PhD students' and researchers' ideas and results are discussed.
  MEANS OF ACHIEVING GENERAL COMPETENCE
  * Taking a course on research ethics and philosophy of science with a scope of at least 5 credits.
  * Supervision and own research.
  * Working on publications and the thesis.
  * The trial lecture. The trial lecture requires familiarization with a specified topic quickly, time management, searching for / selecting / evaluating / processing information, and giving an oral presentation of this topic.
  * Presenting own research findings at national and international scientific conferences.
  * Giving lectures at conferences and scientific meetings.
  * Giving interviews on radio and TV, in newspapers or other journals.
- Examination
  The degree of philosophiae doctor (PhD) is conferred on the basis of:
  * Approved completion of the required coursework
  * An approved doctoral thesis
  * An approved trial lecture on a specified topic
  * An approved public defense of the doctoral thesis (disputation)
- Information for students from partner universities
  NMBU facilitates national and international exchanges. Part of the doctoral work or doctoral courses may be taken at other Norwegian or foreign academic institutions when it can be incorporated into the plans, and funding has been secured.