The Centre for Environmental Sciences (CMK) at Hasselt University is offering a full-time PhD position in Agricultural and Environmental Economics. This opportunity is designed for a highly motivated candidate interested in exploring the intersection of climate variability, global food systems, and international trade. Research Focus: Climate Adaptation Through Agricultural Trade The selected PhD candidate will contribute to a research project focused on understanding how agricultural trade can serve as a mechanism for adapting to climate variability. Increasingly frequent extreme climate events continue to disrupt agricultural production, leading to severe harvest losses and raising concerns about global food security. This research aims to: Examine how international agri-food trade flows respond to climate-related shocks Assess the extent to which trade can mitigate the impacts of climate variability Quantify the adaptive capacity of global trade systems under future climate scenarios Provide insights into policy and market mechanisms that can enhance resilience The project is positioned at the forefront of sustainability research, addressing critical global challenges linked to climate change and food security. Research Environment and Supervision The PhD candidate will join the Environmental Economics Research Group within CMK at Hasselt University. The research will be conducted under the supervision of Professor Charlotte Janssens, within a collaborative and internationally connected academic environment. The candidate will benefit from: Strong national and international research partnerships An interdisciplinary research setting Access to advanced academic resources and networks Opportunities for collaboration across institutions and disciplines Methodological Approach The research will combine empirical analysis and economic modeling to generate robust insights into climate adaptation strategies. Key components of the methodology include: Large-scale data analysis of: Historical climate shocks Crop production variability International trade patterns Model-based forecasting to evaluate future climate variability scenarios Development and calibration of economic models to simulate: Agricultural trade dynamics Market responses to climate shocks Trade policy interventions The candidate is expected to work with advanced modeling tools such as GAMS and apply statistical programming techniques to analyze complex datasets. Candidate Profile The ideal applicant will demonstrate strong academic training, analytical skills, and a clear interest in sustainability and climate-related research. Minimum requirements include: A Master’s degree in:Agricultural EconomicsEnvironmental EconomicsDevelopment EconomicsAgricultural, Environmental, or Business Engineering(Candidates completing their degree by August 2026 are also eligible to apply) Experience with: Quantitative research methods Statistical programming tools such as R, Python, or STATA Knowledge of: Mathematical economic modeling Algebraic and analytical methods Additional competencies: Excellent written and spoken English Strong motivation to pursue doctoral research Interest in climate change adaptation, sustainability, and global food systems What the Program Offers The PhD position provides both financial support and professional development opportunities within a dynamic research environment. Key benefits include: A fully funded doctoral grant for four years Continuation subject to a positive evaluation after two years Access to a structured doctoral training program through UHasselt Doctoral Schools Exposure to international research collaborations and networks Support for career development and academic growth Engagement in high-impact research addressing global environmental challenges Application Details Interested candidates are required to submit their applications via email by April 17, 2026. Applications should be addressed to Professor Charlotte Janssens (charlotte.janssens@uhasselt.be) with the subject line: “PhD Application 2026.” Applicants must include the following documents: A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) A motivation letter (1–2 pages) outlining research interests and suitability A writing sample demonstrating prior research work Examples include a Master’s thesis or a working paper Important Dates and Location Start Date: September 1, 2026 (or earlier if available) Application Deadline: April 17, 2026 Location: Centre for Environmental Sciences (CMK), Hasselt University, Belgium This PhD opportunity offers a unique platform for contributing to cutting-edge research on climate resilience and agricultural systems, while building a strong academic and professional foundation. For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering the position. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.