Are you a Master’s student in Development Economics in Finland looking for a unique opportunity to gain hands-on research experience with a UN research institute? The United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER) is inviting applications from motivated master’s students who wish to write their thesis under the supervision of its experienced research staff.
Programme Highlights
The Master’s Student Programme at UNU-WIDER provides selected students with the chance to engage in policy-relevant global research while receiving academic support from leading development economists. Students will:
- Contribute to ongoing research projects
- Receive supervision and mentorship from UNU-WIDER experts
- Participate in seminars, workshops, and events
- Gain exposure to the workings of a UN research institute
- Enhance their thesis with high-quality academic guidance
Research Topics for 2025
Applicants may choose one of the following focus areas:
- Tax Research for Development
- Analysis of administrative tax data in African countries
- Research topics may include gender distribution in tax filing and simulating tax policy reforms through a gender lens using UGAMOD-TAX
- Building Trust and Institutions for Peace
- Research on (re)building bureaucratic institutions and social contracts in post-conflict states
- Possible focus: the role of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in poverty reduction, inequality, state capacity, peacebuilding, and resilience
Learning Objectives
As a participant, you will:
- Work daily within UNU-WIDER’s research unit
- Learn from an international and multicultural research environment
- Gain experience in capacity development and policy dialogue activities
- Access seminars and events hosted by UNU-WIDER
Eligibility Criteria
To apply, candidates must:
- Be enrolled in a Master’s programme in economics in Finland and currently in the second year of study; OR
- Have completed/enrolled in the Development Economics Master’s-level course in Finland
Additional requirements include:
- Strong written and oral communication skills in English
- Experience with Stata or R and MS Office
- Data-related research skills (data cleaning, merging, visualization) are an asset
- Interest in international development and the UN’s work
Application Process
Applicants should prepare the following documents:
- Cover letter (in English) explaining interest in the programme
- Current CV in English
- Proof of enrolment or academic transcript
- Responses to tailored programme questions
Why Apply?
This is a rare opportunity for master’s students in Finland to:
- Strengthen academic research skills
- Contribute to global development policy debates
- Build networks in international development and peacebuilding research