PhD Studentships in Applied Microeconomics Scholarship Trinity College Dublin Ireland 2008

Job description

This project analyses the impact of recent policy changes on various aspects relating to the agri-food sectors in Ireland and other EU countries focussing in particular on Denmark and the Netherlands. Using the Irish National Farm Survey a micro approach is taken that allows specific research questions relating to:

1) productivity and competitiveness; 2) the changing structure of production systems in terms of farm numbers, the role of economies of scale, specialisation and system switching; and 3) the wider rural community to be addressed. The availability of a comparable survey for Denmark and the Netherlands presents a unique opportunity for the Irish experience to be compared to that of similar regions of Europe facing the same set of constraints but with significantly different sectors in terms of structure, organisation and the role of government supports This study will provide valuable lessons for policy by deepening our understanding of the important issues facing the agri-food sector in Ireland at the micro level and observing how the Irish experience compares to that of similar European regions. The project will also explore alternative uses for land post-decupling focussing in particular on opportunities in relation to organic farming and alternative energy sources drawing on the successes of the Danish experience.
The PhD student will be based at the Department of Economics, Trinity College Dublin. The student will spend some time at the University of Kent in the UK and at the University of Wageningen in the Netherlands working with leading economists on farm survey data and project related modelling issues.

Requirements

* MSc degree or equivalent in Economics
* An interest in applied microeconomics in particular agricultural or environmental economics
* Excellent quantitative skills (i.e. econometric modelling).

Conditions of employment
Stipend: €16,000 p.a. plus tuition fees
Duration of the contract: 3 years beginning April 1st, 2008

Additional Information
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:
Dr. Carol Newman
Phone: +353 1 896 3709
Email: cnewman[ at ]tcd.ie

Application
Interested candidates should either post or email their CVs before March 1st to Dr. Carol Newman, Department of Economics, Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland. Email: cnewman[ at ]tcd.ie

Deadline: March 1st, 2008