KU Leuven Recruitment 2026: Two PhD Positions in the Economics of Biodiversity and Nature Restoration

KU Leuven Recruitment 2026: Two PhD Positions in the Economics of Biodiversity and Nature Restoration

KU Leuven is inviting applications for two fully funded PhD Candidate positions in the field of Environmental and Biodiversity Economics. The positions are hosted by the Environmental Economics and Sustainability Research Group at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Campus Brussels, and are part of the prestigious ECONATURES Horizon Europe Project.

Position Details

• Position: PhD Candidate

• Number of Positions: 02

• Institution: KU Leuven

• Research Group: Environmental Economics and Sustainability

• Faculty: Economics and Business (Campus Brussels)

• Project: ECONATURES – Horizon Europe

• Reference Number: BAP-2026-384

• Expected Start Date: 01 October 2026

About the Project

The selected candidates will contribute to the ECONATURES project, a Horizon Europe initiative coordinated by CMCC with eight partner institutions across Europe.

The project aims to develop one of Europe's most comprehensive modelling frameworks to assess the socio-economic impacts of nature restoration across short-, medium-, and long-term horizons. It integrates economic, ecological, environmental, and social methodologies to evaluate restoration benefits, costs, and distributional impacts, supporting the EU Nature Restoration Regulation and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.

Research Areas

The PhD research will focus on topics including:

• Environmental Economics

• Biodiversity Economics

• Nature Restoration

• Sustainability

• Ecological Economics

• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

• Socio-economic Policy Analysis

• Climate and Environmental Policy

Research Environment

The successful candidates will join the Environmental Economics and Sustainability Research Group, which conducts interdisciplinary research at the intersection of:

• Economics

• Sustainable Development

• Environmental Policy

• Business and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

The group collaborates extensively with international research partners and offers an excellent academic environment for doctoral research.

Eligibility

Applications are invited from highly motivated graduates with a strong academic background in fields related to:

• Economics

• Environmental Economics

• Sustainability

• Applied Economics

• Environmental Sciences

• Other closely related disciplines

Candidates with strong quantitative, analytical, and research skills are encouraged to apply.

Why Apply?

This opportunity offers candidates the chance to:

• Pursue a fully funded PhD at KU Leuven, one of Europe's leading universities.

• Contribute to a prestigious Horizon Europe research project.

• Work with an international consortium of leading researchers.

• Conduct impactful research supporting biodiversity conservation and environmental policymaking.

• Build expertise in environmental and sustainability economics within an interdisciplinary research environment.

Important Date

• Application Deadline: 10 July 2026

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their application through the official KU Leuven recruitment portal, along with all required supporting documents, before the application deadline.

Official Notification

Applicants are advised to carefully read the official vacancy announcement for detailed eligibility requirements, application instructions, required documents, and selection procedures before applying.

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