Job Description & Qualification
ESSEC Business School invites applications to its full-time PhD Program in Finance. We are looking for highly motivated candidates with strong quantitative and analytical skills who wish to pursue an academic career in leading research institutions worldwide.

About the program

The ESSEC PhD in Finance is a research-intensive program that equips students with the theoretical and empirical tools needed to conduct cutting-edge research in financial economics. Our faculty are active in a broad range of fields, including: Corporate Finance, Asset Pricing, Financial Intermediation, Household Finance, Entrepreneurial Finance, Sustainable Finance, Real Estate Finance

Program structure

The PhD is a full-time program. During the first two years, students follow advanced coursework in:

- Microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics
- Finance theory and empirical finance
- Specialized seminars in the student’s research area

After completing comprehensive exams, students focus on their dissertation research, working closely with faculty supervisors and presenting their work in internal seminars, brown-bag workshops and international conferences.

Research environment and faculty

ESSEC offers a vibrant research environment with:

- An active weekly finance seminar series with international speakers
- Regular workshops and conferences in corporate finance, asset pricing, banking and sustainable finance
- Strong connections with the broader research community in Finance and Economics in the Paris area

A full description of the program can be found here: https://www.essec.edu/en/pages/concentration-finance/

Funding and support

Admitted PhD students typically receive a competitive financial package that includes:

- Full tuition waiver
- Multi-year scholarship/stipend
- Additional funding for conference travel, research visits and data access

Placement

Recent graduates of ESSEC’s PhD in Finance have obtained positions in leading academic institutions in the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia.

Application Procedure
Applications are submitted exclusively via ESSEC’s online application portal. For entry on 1 September 2026, please consult the application link for full details on required application materials:

- Academic transcripts
- GMAT/GRE records (compulsory for final acceptance, preferred but not compulsory at application stage)
- Evidence of English-language proficiency (for non-native speakers)
- Research statement and CV
- Letters of recommendation and other supporting documents

About the Organization
ESSEC is one of Europe’s leading business schools, with its main campus in the Paris region (Cergy) and a strong international network. The PhD in Finance is based on the Cergy campus, offering access to a large community of researchers in Finance and Economics, an active financial center, and a high quality of life for students.

For Additional Questions
christine.gil@essec.edu

Website
https://www.essec.edu/en/program/program-phd/?tab=admissions