Job offers

Duration: 3 years (2026–2029)   

Start date: September 1st or October 1st, 2026   

Location: Center for Environmental Economics - Montpellier (CEE-M), University of Montpellier, France

Doctoral school: École Doctorale Économie Gestion de Montpellier  

The Project

This PhD position is part of the TAEF project (Technical and Economic Foresight), one of the targeted projects within the PEPR “The Subsurface: A Common Good”. TAEF aims to build data and models to anticipate future demand for mineral resources in the context of the energy transition. The project brings together economists, geologists and public policy specialists around a shared question: how can we ensure a sustainable approach to the extraction, transformation and consumption of subsurface resources?

Research Subject

How is the development of recycling and the emergence of the “urban mine” transforming mineral resource markets? This is the central question of this PhD project. As metals recovered from end-of-life products account for a growing share of global supply, recycling activities increasingly share key characteristics with primary mining industries — without facing the same geological constraints.

The research will examine:

• How the expansion of recycling reshapes metal supply structures, price dynamics, and industrial strategies;
• Whether and to what extent a growing share of secondary materials can reduce commodity price volatility;
• Investment incentives in mining and recycling industries, and the strategies of industrial actors;
• Guidance for public regulation: contract design for natural monopolies, mineral concession contracts, competition policy, product design standards, and recycling policies.

The methodology will draw on natural resource economics, industrial organisation, and quantitative approaches, with particular attention to imperfectly competitive market structures and intertemporal strategic behaviour. The research will also aim to produce empirically testable predictions, drawing where necessary on original datasets built from publicly available industry information, administrative sources, and sectoral case studies.

Supervision

Supervisors:

• Francesco Ricci (CEE-M, University of Montpellier)
• Carole Haritchabalet (University of Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, TREE)
• Raphaël Soubeyran (CEE-M, INRAE)
• Mouez Fodha (Paris School of Economics)

Other research team members include: Aude Pommeret (IREGE, University of Savoie Mont Blanc), Jérôme Pouyet (THEMA, ESSEC Business School), Wilfried Sand-Zantman (ESSEC Business School, TSE), and Florian Fizaine (IREGE, University of Savoie Mont Blanc).

Candidate Profile

• A master's degree in economics, with a strong background in microeconomics and/or industrial organisation and/or the analysis of dynamic economic systems;
• Solid training in mathematical methods and economic modelling;
• An interest in environmental and resource economics;
• Good writing skills in English; knowledge of French is an asset but not required;
• Participation in CEE-M activities (seminars, workshops) and in the TAEF research group is expected.

How to Apply

Applications should be sent to Francesco Ricci at the following address:

francesco.ricci@umontpellier.fr

Applications should include the following documents, compiled into a single PDF:

1. A cover letter (1–2 pages) describing your research interests and motivation;
2. A curriculum vitae;
3. Academic transcripts;
4. A writing sample (master's thesis, research paper, or similar);
5. Contact details of one or two academic referees willing to provide a letter of recommendation.

Review of applications will begin immediately. The position will remain open until filled.

Contact

Francesco Ricci, Professor — francesco.ricci@umontpellier.fr