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You will be updated with latest job alerts via emailCall for PhD Applications : Emotional biases impact on investor decision-making in commodity markets
PhD Supervisors:
Dr. Amine BEN AMAR (Associate Professor in Finance)
Funding: 4-year doctoral contract starting in October 2025
Location: Rabat Morocco
Prerequisite: Masters degree in Quantitative Finance Econometrics Quantitative Methods Statistics Mathematics.
Application process: description
The primary objective of this PhD project is to address the often-overlooked psychological factors that influence investment decisions and commodity market dynamics. Emotional biases play a critical role in shaping investor behavior often leading to irrational decision-making that can significantly affect the performance of their investment portfolios. This research will delve into various emotional biases such as availability bias self-control bias overconfidence bias prejudice illusion of control and representativeness bias. It will examine how these factors contribute to market volatility and trends under conditions of risk and uncertainty. By employing a combination of behavioral finance theories empirical analysis and case studies the PhD candidate will develop models and strategies to mitigate the effects of these biases and create new knowledge on the underlying principles and mechanisms that drive investors to adopt certain investing behaviors.
Doctoral Research Topic
Interested candidates are encouraged to familiarize themselves with related research drawing on (but not limited to) the following sources:
Abricha A. Ben Amar A. & Bellalah M. (2024). Commodity futures markets under stress and stress-free periods: Further insights from a quantile connectedness approach. The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance.
Blanchett D. (2023). Regret and Optimal Portfolio Allocations. The Journal of Portfolio Management 49(4) 143-154.
Brooks C. and Prokopczuk M. (2011). The Dynamics of Commodity Prices. Quantitative Finance 13(4) 527-542.
Research Questions
How do specific emotional biases influence individual investment decisions in commodity markets
What are the differences in the impact of emotional biases on short-term and long-term investment decisions in commodity markets
How can behavioral finance theories be applied to develop strategies that mitigate the effects of emotional biases on commodity market investments
How do different demographic factors (e.g. age gender experience) influence the susceptibility of investors to emotional biases in commodity markets
How does herd behavior driven by emotional biases contribute to systemic risk in commodity markets
Skills
You have a solid background in quantitative finance modelling or a related field excellent English skills and experience in at least one of the following research and technical skills: time series analysis machine learning coding (R Matlab Python ) simulations. You have strong analytical skills; you are self-motivated and you are able to deliver high-quality output under severe time pressure and you are resilient to stress and setbacks.
Supervisor information
Dr. Ben Amars recent research focuses on climate change sustainable development monetary policy transmission channels in oil-based countries macroeconomics dynamics commodity markets and the interrelationships between the four macroeconomic accounts (real sector government finance external sector and monetary & financial sector). Amines work has appeared in Defence and Peace Economics International Review of Financial Analysis Finance Research Letters International Journal of Global Energy Issues International Journal of Finance and Economics Environmental Economics and Policy Studies International Review of Applied Economics Applied Economics Letters International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management Economics Bulletin and the International Journal of Business. He reviews frequently for several journals and grant agencies in the fields of economics finance and econometrics (among others: Legatum Institute Evaluation of a report on the strengths and weaknesses of the Moroccan economy France 24 analysis of the economic news in Arabic & the Islamic Development Bank Review of a report on Capital Protected Funds). He holds a PhD in Economics from Paris-Dauphine University PSL. His PhD thesis completed under the supervision of Professor Anton Brender was on the transmission channels of monetary policy in oil-based countries and in the presence of Islamic and conventional banks. Amine also completed his Masters studies at the University of Paris-Dauphine. His Masters thesis completed under the supervision of Professor Henri Sterdyniak was on the optimal level of public debt. He has more than 15 years of teaching experience spread between France China Tunisia and Morocco. He has taught many courses (among others: Macroeconomics Econometrics and Financial Markets). Amine is fluent in three languages: Arabic French and English.
Application Deadline:
June 30th 2025.
Contact Information:
For inquiries and application submissions please contact
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