Doctoral student (M/F) in economics on "Competition and algorithms: adoption, impact, and transparency"

Job Description

Thesis Subject

“Competition and Algorithms: adoption, impact and transparency” :

The PhD project is embedded in a multi-institution research agenda addressing competition in digital markets, with a focus on algorithmic pricing, consumer decision-support systems, and transparency issues arising from advanced digital infrastructures such as future-generation networks (6G and beyond).

Context and Scientific Objectives :

Digital technologies fundamentally transform competitive interactions by enabling firms to rely on automated decision systems for pricing and market strategies. In particular, algorithmic repricing tools allow real-time price adjustments based on predefined rules or machine-learning techniques. While recent theoretical work has examined market outcomes under algorithmic pricing, the determinants of firms' adoption and switching of such technologies remain poorly understood. Similarly, consumer behavior as they perceive use of algorithmic pricing deserves more investigation.
This project pursues three interrelated objectives: (i) to analyze firms' incentives to adopt pricing algorithms and how algorithmic features influence competition; (ii) to provide novel empirical evidence on the prevalence and impact of algorithmic pricing using data from French marketplaces; and (iii) to study consumer perceptions, transparency concerns, and regulatory implications associated with observable algorithmic pricing practices.

Methodology :
The PhD research may combine three complementary methodologies:
• Theoretical modeling (game theory and/or agent-based models) to formalize strategic interactions involving algorithmic pricing technologies.
• Empirical analysis of real-world pricing data (e.g. e-commerce platforms) to detect algorithmic pricing behavior and assess its competitive effects.
• Experimental methods (laboratory or online experiments) to study consumer behavior, acceptability, and responses to different transparency regimes.

Required Qualifications:
The candidate must hold a Master's degree demonstrating a very strong background in theoretical modeling (game theory and theoretical models used in industrial organization), digital economics (knowledge of the digital ecosystem and the challenges associated with the digital economy), as well as quantitative methods (automated data collection and econometrics). Knowledge of experimental economics would also be appreciated.
The position requires excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to present research findings at academic conferences and to write articles intended for publication in peer-reviewed academic journals.

Required application documents: a cover letter, a PhD research proposal, the Master's thesis, and the academic transcripts for the first and second years of the Master's program.

Your Work Environment

The PhD will be carried out within the EconomiX research unit and within the EOS doctoral school of Paris Nanterre University.
Established in 2005 following the merger of four research units of the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), EconomiX is a Joint Research Unit (UMR 7235) jointly supervised by the CNRS and Paris Nanterre University. It is affiliated with the Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences (INSHS) and falls under the Economics and Management section of the CNRS National Committee.
With approximately 180 members, EconomiX is one of France's leading centers for economic research. Its research activities are organized around three main areas:
• Transitions, Environment, Energy, Institutions, and Territories
• Behavior, Rights, and Well-being
• International Macroeconomics, Finance, Commodities, and Financial Econometrics
The doctoral research would be conducted more specifically within the Behavior, Rights, and Well-being research area, to which the PhD candidate will be affiliated.

Constraints and risks

The PhD research requires a regular presence at the research laboratory, as well as active participation in its activities, including attending and leading research seminars and contributing to the organization of academic conferences.
As the PhD will be conducted within the framework of the EOS Doctoral School, the doctoral candidate will also be required to comply with the school's regulations and procedures, including progression requirements, participation in doctoral training courses, and other doctoral program obligations.
The research conducted during the PhD may be presented at conferences organized by other universities, which will involve occasional travel.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

2300 € gross monthly

Annual leave and RTT

44 jours

Remote Working practice and compensation

Pratique et indemnisation du TT

Transport

Prise en charge à 75% du coût et forfait mobilité durable jusqu’à 300€

About the offer

About the CNRS

The CNRS is a major player in fundamental research on a global scale. The CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist allows it to bring together different disciplines to address the most important challenges of the contemporary world, in connection with the actors of change.

CNRS

The research professions