🎓 PhD Scholarship Opportunity at Estonian Business School (EBS), Estonia
Project Title: Systematic Assessment of Anti-Money Laundering Compliance in Authoritarian States
Program: Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (SOCIAL)
Application Deadline: 31 January 2026
🔍 Summary
The Estonian Business School (EBS) invites applications for a fully funded PhD position (Junior Research Fellow) under the prestigious Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie doctoral network “Sociology of Authoritarian Law (SOCIAL)”.
The selected PhD candidate will conduct an in-depth, systematic assessment of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) frameworks in Central Asia, analyzing compliance mechanisms, enforcement practices, and their alignment with international standards within politically centralized and opaque contexts.
The program offers international, interdisciplinary, and cross-sectoral training, joint supervision by leading scholars, and secondment opportunities across Europe and Canada.
📘 Summary Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | PhD Position: Systematic Assessment of Anti-Money Laundering Compliance in Authoritarian States |
| Designation | Doctoral Candidate (Junior Research Fellow) |
| Research Area | Sociology of Authoritarian Law, Anti-Money Laundering Frameworks, Governance Studies, Policy Compliance |
| Location | Estonian Business School (EBS), Tallinn, Estonia |
| Supervisors | Prof. Kaire Põder, Dr. Gaygysyz Ashyrov |
| Program Start Date | 1 September 2026 |
| Funding | Fully funded (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action Doctoral Network) |
| Contract Type | Full-time employment under Horizon Europe MSCA regulations |
| Application Deadline | 31 January 2026 |
| Official Website | www.ebs.ee/phd |
| Contact Email | doctoral@ebs.ee |
🎯 Eligibility/Qualification
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Education: Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field (Law, Sociology, Political Science, Economics, or related areas).
- Academic Records: Bachelor’s and Master’s diplomas and transcripts (translated to English if required).
- Mobility Rule: Must not have resided or carried out main activity (work/study) in Estonia for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to recruitment.
- Research Plan: Submit a detailed research proposal (up to 3000 words, excluding references) with the code SOCIAL DN – 17_ DC10.
- English Proficiency: Minimum B2 level (FCE, CAE, IELTS ≥ 5.5, TOEFL ≥ 69, or degree completed in English).
- Other Documents:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) with educational and research background
- Copy of passport
- Statement confirming mobility eligibility
🧠 Job Description
The successful candidate will:
- Conduct PhD research on AML compliance and enforcement mechanisms in authoritarian regimes, particularly in Central Asia.
- Explore how political structures and law–society interactions shape governance under authoritarian systems.
- Participate in joint supervision, secondments, and international workshops within the SOCIAL doctoral network.
- Contribute to policy-relevant research, producing publications, reports, and policy briefs.
- Develop transferable research and professional skills through structured training.
Core Goals of the SOCIAL Network:
- Foster empirical and theoretical innovation on law–society–governance under authoritarian regimes.
- Provide sustainable interdisciplinary doctoral training across regions and sectors.
- Ensure policy outreach by translating research into actionable insights.
📩 How to Apply
Applicants must submit the following documents to doctoral@ebs.ee with the subject line:ApplicantName_SOCIAL DN – 17_ DC10
Required Documents:
- Master’s and Bachelor’s diplomas with transcripts
- Research Plan (max. 3000 words, excluding references)
- Statement of mobility eligibility
- English language proficiency certificate
- Curriculum Vitae
- Copy of passport
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to present their Research Idea either via Microsoft Teams or in person at the EBS campus in Tallinn, Estonia.
📅 Important Dates
- Application Deadline: 31 January 2026
- Program Start Date: 1 September 2026
🌐 Official Link
For more information, visit: www.ebs.ee/phd
For inquiries, email: doctoral@ebs.ee (mention code SOCIAL DN – 17_ DC10 in your request).
Join the Horizon Europe MSCA SOCIAL Network and shape the future of law, governance, and policy research in authoritarian contexts!
