Nyenrode Business Universiteit is seeking a full-time PhD student with research interests relevant to the fields of accounting, accountancy, philosophy, and ethics. The PhD program is a four-year fully funded program. The PhD student will join the Center for Accounting, Auditing & Control. Under the supervision of prof. dr. Ivo De Loo and prof. dr. Edgar Karssing, and strongly supported by dr. Herman van Brenk RA, the PhD student performs empirical research (both experimental and qualitative) within the area of accounting. 

We are looking for candidates with a Master of Science in business and management, sociology, accounting, accountancy, or philosophy. Candidates must have strong analytical skills. In addition, they should possess good academic writing skills, good communication skills and speak good English.

We are interested in candidates with a clear academic research ambition and a background in either experimental and/or qualitative research methods. Candidates must have the ambition to publish in highly ranked international peer reviewed journals, and to develop a high-quality and original research portfolio that is relevant to academia and the business community. The objective is that the research project results in a number of original academic research papers, suitable for publication in peer-reviewed academic journals. In the first year, the candidate is expected to work on a research proposal in collaboration with the supervisors.

The PhD thesis ought to focus on tragedy in business and/or accountancy (settings). The (proverbial) ‘good’ is not always rewarded in everyday life. In fact, doing ‘good’ can (also) have ‘bad’ outcomes for those concerned: for yourself, for others. That is one of the main lessons learned of the classic tragedies of ancient Greece. What role does tragedy play in practice, in business and/or accountancy settings, and how can someone deal with such tragedy? That is the main issue to be addressed in this research. Potential elements include, but are not limited to:

• A philosophical and theoretical overview of types of tragedy and their potential application in business and/or accountancy settings;
• Interview accounts which reflect the different types of tragedy as witnessed in business and/or accountancy settings;
• Experimental studies to the effects of tragedy on judgment and decision-making in business and/or accountancy settings;
• Antinarratives focusing on tragedy in business and/or accountancy settings.

Teaching
This fulltime PhD position involves research, teaching, and contributing to the academic community. The teaching responsibilities will include teaching tutorial sessions in accounting, accountancy and philosophy courses, grading and thesis supervision. 

You hold an MSc, MA or MPhil degree in a relevant discipline from an accredited university, preferably in the fields mentioned above. You have an explicit interest in and motivation for academic research. 

Fixed-term contract: four years, starting with an 18-month appointment.

The PhD project is a salaried position (between € 2.592, - and € 3.474, -), which means that the appointed PhD candidate is employed by Nyenrode Business Universiteit as a promotion (PhD) candidate. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the collective labor agreement. In addition, a holiday allowance, end-of-year bonus, and a generous number of vacation days are part of employment conditions. Accepted candidates are appointed on a full-time basis for a duration up to four years, starting with an 18-month appointment. 

Nyenrode Business Universiteit

Nyenrode Business Universiteit offers a combination of sound theoretical framework, practical relevance, and personal development. Thanks to this combination, they develop sustainable added value for themselves, for their company and for society. Nyenrode is a small-scale private university, founded in 1946 for and by business, with an international orientation. Nyenrode offers degree and executive education programs in business, management, accountancy and controlling, and conducts research in these disciplines. The mission of Nyenrode is: ‘Serving society by shaping responsible leaders’.

The Nyenrode PhD School
As a PhD candidate you will be part of the Nyenrode PhD School that includes courses, article writing and participation in scientific conferences and seminars. The candidate will work to produce a doctoral dissertation, which is to be written in English.