PhD scholarships in Economics and Management under the theme of “Ports as Energy Transition Hubs”.

Copenhagen Business School invites applications for three PhD scholarships in Economics and Management under the theme of “Ports as Energy Transition Hubs”. The starting date is 1st September 2025.

The scholarships are part of the POTENT Doctoral Networks funded by a grant from the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network call 2023.  PhD position 1 and 3 are based at the Department of Strategy and Innovation as affiliated with CBS Maritime. PhD position 2 is based at the Department of Economics as affiliated with the Copenhagen School of Energy Infrastructure (CSEI). You will find the application deadline and the application link at the end of this advertisement.

Ports as Energy Transition Hubs (POTENT) Network – The PhD Positions

The primary objective of the three distinct PhD positions is to investigate how ports can support and accelerate the clean energy transition in Europe. Please indicate which of the three positions you are applying to in your application.

PhD Position 1 – Facilitators of the clean energy transition: Port governance and business model innovation: This Doctoral Candidate will be based at the Department of Strategy and Innovation working with Henrik Sornn-Friese and Michele Acciaro as project leads, and will focus on the topics of port governance, business model innovation, institutional entrepreneurship, and clean energy transition. You will be applying methods such as case study designs, comparative analysis, and mixed-method integration as you work on your project. The successful candidate will be seconded with KEDGE Business School (France) and the Port of Esbjerg (Denmark) during the project.

The position’s objectives are (1) Develop a taxonomy/DCM tool for port authorities about value proposition of ports with regards to the clean energy transition, (2) Design a theoretical framework for broader business eco-system based on mid-range theory aiming to explain and envisage how ports can innovate their business models to facilitate and profit from the clean energy transition, and (3) Outline policy recommendation/DCM tool under a case study design based on case studies of ports transitioning to become clean energy hubs.

PhD Position 2 – Socio-economic aspects of energy port transition: This Doctoral Candidate will be based at the Department of Economics working with Tooraj Jamasb and Christine Brandstätt and will mainly focus on energy infrastructure development and related topics such as offshore energy, economic regulation, green fuels and their interface and relation with onshore and inland energy systems and infrastructure. You will use the appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods in your research. The successful candidate will be seconded with the Norwegian School of Economics and the Danish Utility Regulator during the project.

The position’s objectives are (1) Review and assess the state-of-the-art in economics of energy infrastructure development in support of the green energy transition, (2) Explore new economic regulatory frameworks and models for energy infrastructure and ports, (3) Assess new market designs, business models, stakeholder engagement, innovation strategies, and energy policies that support green transition, and (4) Study integration and linkages between offshore infrastructure and resources with the wider energy systems.

PhD Position 3 – Energy Ports in System and Network Perspective: This Doctoral Candidate will be based at the Department of Strategy and Innovation working with Henrik Sornn-Friese and Tooraj Jamasb as project leads and will focus on the topics of energy technology systems, renewable energy supply chain, environmental impact assessment. You will be applying methods such as multi-perspective system and network analysis as you work on your project. The successful candidate will be seconded with Kühne Logistics University (Germany) and the UNCTAD, United Nations (Switzerland) during the project.

The position’s objectives are (1) Investigate this role in a system perspective, looking particularly at the development of onshore power supply (OPS) for cruise ships in ports, (2) Address OPS in ports from the perspective of sector coupling linking the energy and maritime sectors, (3) Assess the position of ports in the renewable energy supply chain, linking ports to offshore renewable energy sectors as well as the inland economy, and (4) study the system of ports in a regional/global context with a view to network externalities and achieving economies of scale.

About the Department of Economics at CBS

The Department of Economics (ECON) provides research, teaching, and knowledge exchange within the core areas of economics, i.e., microeconomics, macroeconomics, and quantitative methods. The Department is especially active in business-related, applied economic research and comprises three research centres: Copenhagen School of Energy Infrastructure (CSEI), Centre for Innovation (CFI), and Pension Research Centre (PeRCent).

• Core research areas of the Department of Economics are:
• Behavior, Incentives and Economic Design
• Design Employment and the Functioning of Labor Markets
• Energy, Environment and Resources
• Firm Behavior, Innovation and the Functioning of Markets
• Growth, Unemployment, and Inflation
• Globalization, Migration and Urbanization; 
• Quantitative/Empirical Methods and Data Science
• Welfare: Education, Health Care and Pensions

The Department of Economics has a strong research focus and has been successful in fundraising activities. It is currently hosting research projects supported by the Danish/EU research councils, as well as private foundations and companies.

About the Copenhagen School of Energy Infrastructure

The Copenhagen School of Energy Infrastructure (CSEI) conducts research in tomorrow’s energy infrastructure from an economic policy point-of-view to ensure a successful transition towards a new sustainable European Energy Infrastructure based on volatile and largely renewable energy sources.

CSEI is established in the form of a European research centre at CBS’ Department of Economics and delivers expertise and new knowledge as well as education within energy infrastructure in close cooperation with stakeholders from the sector, the European Commission and society at large.

About the Department of Strategy and Innovation at CBS

The Department of Strategy and Innovation’s (SI) research is focused on strategy, innovation, entrepreneurship and international business. The department’s ambition is to host an internationally leading environment for research and teaching within the broad area of strategy. The department’s research is generally cross-disciplinary. Faculty members have backgrounds in management, economics, sociology and economic geography. The theoretical foundation for research in these areas is eclectic, combining strategy, innovation, and/or internationalization theory with insights from economics, sociology, psychology, and economic geography. The department has 45 faculty members (professors, associate professors, tenure track assistant professors), 8 administrative staff, and 30 members of staff who are hired on temporary contracts as research assistants, post docs or PhD students.

The department puts substantial emphasis on the solid application of scientific research method. The department has a pluralistic approach to research methods that includes, for example, formal theoretical models, quantitative empirical methods such as (lab and field) experiments, econometric applications to register data or survey data, as well as qualitative research methods. PhD project proposals should be based on coherent theoretical arguments and contain well-informed methodological considerations. To find out more about the department please go to https://www.cbs.dk/si.

About CBS Maritime

CBS Maritime is a cross-departmental research center at CBS, established in 2013, that focuses on maritime economics, business, and policy. It serves as a hub for maritime research, education, and industry engagement, fostering collaboration between academia and key stakeholders in shipping, ports, and maritime industry.

CBS Maritime conducts research on critical topics such as decarbonization and clean energy, sustainable shipping, maritime digitalization, and supply chain innovation. Its studies aim to inform best practices and policy development for the maritime sector worldwide. Key educational initiatives (e.g., the B.Sc. in International Shipping and Trade, the Executive MBA in Shipping and Logistics, and the higher diploma degree HD Maritime) integrate CBS Maritime’s research into academic study programs.

About the POTENT Doctoral Network

The POTENT project is an EU Marie Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral Training Network focused on the topic of ports as energy transition hubs. This collaborative research project provides a fantastic opportunity for researchers interested in the clean energy transition and the role that ports can play in this transition. It aims to integrate knowledge of engineering (e.g., mechanical and electrical engineering) and social sciences (economics, sociology, and anthropology) in a doctoral training programme across 8 European research institutions and 15 industry actors. The POTENT consortium brings together a multidisciplinary research team from across Europe to train experts in port energy systems and develop key skills to deliver a just and sustainable energy transition. Ports are increasingly recognized as key enablers of the clean energy transition, playing a crucial role in supporting Europe’s shift toward climate neutrality and energy security.

Other PhD positions in the network

You can find details on all open positions in the network at https://potentmsca.cbs.dk.

DC4 – Chalmers University of Technology Smart ports (digitalization) and systems integration between ports and energy systems

DC5 – Chalmers University of Technology Integrated Analysis of E-Fuel Policy, Infrastructure, and Energy Resilience in Maritime Transitions

DC6 – Chalmers University of Technology Electrified Ports and Grid Dynamics: Synthetic Grids, Impact Methodologies, and Real-World Case Analyses

DC7 – The Technical University of Denmark Green Maritime fuel transition taking into account risk and uncertainty

DC8 – The Technical University of Denmark Optimizing Port Operations through Edge Computing and AI-Enhanced Digital Infrastructure

DC9 – Kühne Logistics University Governance structures and strategies to foster the clean energy transition

DC10 – Kühne Logistics University Low and zero emission fuels port geographies

DC11 – Norwegian University of Science and Technology Digital technologies for getting insights into urban energy dynamics and port-city interactions

DC12 – Norwegian University of Science and Technology Market design, and tariff structures for unlocking flexibility in harbors

DC13 – World Maritime University Assessing stakeholders urban-port relationships and sustainable management strategies through circular approaches and emerging business models

DC14 – Norwegian School of Economics Business models and value chains for the energy transition in transport

DC15 – Kedge Business School Port governance for energy ports under the sustainable energy transition

About CBS’ PhD Programme

The three-year PhD programme at CBS gives you the opportunity to conduct research under the supervision of CBS’s associate professors and professors, supported by research related PhD courses. The programme is highly international, and you are expected to participate in international research conferences and to spend time at another research institution as a visiting PhD student. See the CBS homepage for more information about the PhD programme: https://www.cbs.dk/en/research/phd-programme.

CBS PhD graduates are held in high esteem not only in academia and research institutions but also in government and business where their research qualifications are in high demand.

CBS is committed to ensuring excellence, transformative and relevant teaching and research. Candidates who wish to join us must be interested in working in an organisation of this type and it is expected that the applicants show an interest in joining the department's research environment. You can read more about the departments’ research here: https://www.cbs.dk/econ/ and http://www.cbs.dk/si/.

MSCA Application Requirements

According to the mobility requirements of the MSCA guidelines candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the host organization (i.e. Denmark in this case) for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date.

Application and admission requirements

The department will give priority to applicants with high grades from their universities.

To be considered the applicant must

• have a basic education at master's level (corresponding to the 3 + 2 Bologna process)
• have received the grade of 10 (or equivalent) for the master's thesis according to the Danish 7-point grading scale (https://ufm.dk/en/education/the-danish-education-system/grading-system)
• have a weighted grade point average of at least 8.2 on the Danish 7-point grading scale for the bachelor's and master's degree combined or alternatively a weighted grade point average must be at least 9.5 for the master's degree alone. If the grade point average is not met, documentation for being in the top 40% of the class is also accepted.
• have completed the master's programme before starting the PhD programme at CBS
• master academic English at a high level in writing and speaking
• have the aptitude to complete the required Ph.D. coursework in advanced economics subjects.

4+4 PhD scheme

For admission to the 4 + 4 PhD scheme, the applicants must have completed a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) and have passed subjects corresponding to 60 ECTS in a relevant master's programme within the CBS' subject areas.

The minimum weighted grade point average is 8.2 on the Danish 7-point grading scale for the entire programme (i.e. for the full bachelor and one year of the master studies together), and at least the grade 10 for the bachelor thesis or equivalent final examination project. If the grade point average is not met, documentation for being in the top 40% of the class is also accepted. Applicants who are not enrolled in a master's programme at CBS will be assessed by the Admissions Office.

The application (see link below) must include a five-page project description. The research proposal is considered the backbone of the application and should be very carefully prepared by the applicant. It is your explanation of how you would approach the PhD project, referring explicitly back to one of the two descriptions under “The Research Projects” above. The project description must include:

• a presentation of an original research question
• a description of the initial theoretical framework and method
• a presentation of the proposed empirical material
• a work plan for the three years

More information can be found here:

https://www.cbs.dk/en/research/phd-programmes/admission

In addition to the project description, copies of the following must be included:

• diploma for bachelor's and master's degree or other certificates at an equivalent level as well as the grade transcripts
• documentation for being in the top 40% of the class (if grade requirements are not met)
• a concise curriculum vitae (CV)
• list of articles and publications (if applicable)
• example of written work (e.g. master's thesis)
• documentation of English language skills

Please note that an offer of employment is conditional upon successful enrolment in the CBS PhD School. Further information about PhD scholarships and the PhD programme can be found at  https://www.cbs.dk/en/research/phd-programme.

For further information please contact Kristoffer Rae, email [email protected].  Information about the departments can be found at www.cbs.dk/econ and www.cbs.dk/si Information about the Copenhagen School of Energy Infrastructure can be found at www.csei.eu. Information about CBS Maritime can be found at https://www.cbs.dk/en/cbs-agenda/areas/cbs-maritime.

Employment and salary

The PhD scholarship runs for a period of three years and in lieu of a teaching load, the PhD student is expected to contribute with 20% of their time to the deliverables of the projects and their dissemination (for details see “The Research Project” above). This obligation is equivalent to six months’ work (624 net working hours). The scholarships are fully salaried positions, according to the national Danish collective agreement. The monthly salary is currently approximately DKK 28,993 up to DKK 35,015 depending on seniority and a pension contribution totalling 17.1%. The scholarship includes tuition fees, office space, course and travel costs (according to the current CBS agreement).

Salary level and employment take place in accordance with the Ministry of Finance's agreement with the Academics' Central Organization.

Recruitment procedure

The Recruitment Committee shortlists at least two-five applicants to be assessed by the Assessment Committee. Applicants are informed whether their application has proceeded for assessment.

Applicants selected for assessment will be notified about the composition of the Assessment Committee and will receive their personal assessment later. Selected applicants will be invited for an interview. Please note that a positive assessment does not automatically result in an interview. Once the recruitment process is completed each applicant will be notified of the outcome of their application.

The application must be sent via the online link below.

Copenhagen Business School must receive all application material, including all appendices (see above), by the application deadline.

Details about Copenhagen Business School are available at https://www.cbs.dk/en 

For further information on the project, prospective applicants can contact Kristoffer Rae, [email protected] 

For questions about the PhD programme at CBS, you can obtain details from:

ECON Department PhD Coordinator, Professor Dolores Romero Morales, [email protected] or SI Department PhD Coordinator, Professor H.C. Kongsted, [email protected]

Application Deadline: March 17th, 2025