The Business School (Finance Division), University of Aberdeen, invites applications from prospective PhD students for a fee-waiver Elphinstone PhD Scholarship.
Research topic: "A risk-return analysis of energy sector companies"
The main objective of the research is to undertake a broadly defined analysis of the market performance of energy sector companies with special focus on risk-return analysis. The risk-return analysis involves the analysis of risk factors which impact on the performance of a company, and their influence on the market returns of the company. Specifically, the research entails the following:
- empirical analysis of the market performance of energy sector companies
- performance evaluation of different sub-sectors within the energy sector
- comparison of the performance of energy sector companies with other sectors of the economy subject to specific features, which are shown in the literature to have significant influence on the company’s market performance
- identification of the economic risk factors in the energy sector and their measurement
- building stock portfolios of energy companies, based on previously identified risk factors
- modelling the impact of the identified risk factors on market returns of portfolios of energy companies
The statistical techniques and estimation methodologies used in this research are the standard ones, which are broadly used in these types of studies.
An important part of the above research is the collection of the data necessary for the empirical analysis. The data can be collected from the Thomson Reuters DataStream and Thomson Reuters Eikon databases available at the University.
This PhD project is funded by an Elphinstone PhD Scholarship provided by the University of Aberdeen. The scholarship covers the payment of tuition fees for three years and is intended for a student (whether Home, EU or Overseas) commencing a full-time study in October 2014.
Further details of Elphinstone PhD Scholarships and an application process can be found at: http://www.abdn.ac.uk/cass/graduate/elphinstone-phd-scholarships-329.php.
The following documents are required with your application:
- CV
- Copy of Degree Certificate(s)
- Copy of Degree Transcript(s)
- 2 Academic References
- Proof of IELTS/TOEFL English Language Test (if available
- Personal Statement that includes a summary of your reasons for applying for this project and how your skills and knowledge equip you for it (500 word max)
Selection will be made on the basis of academic merit. Successful applicant should have a first or a second upper class degree (or equivalent) in Economics or Finance along with a good quantitative background and knowledge of basic statistical tools. Strong analytical skills and some programming ability would be advantageous. A knowledge of the energy sector is desired but nor required.
For further details of the PhD project, and an informal discussion, please contact Dr Olga Klinkowska (o.klinkowska@abdn.ac.uk). For any other questions, please contact the Graduate School Administer, Anne-Marie Johnston (a.m.johnston@abdn.ac.uk).
Closing date for applications: 6th June 2014.