PhD student: Designing and developing a cryptocurrency literacy index

<p>Reykjavik University, Department of Business and Economics, is searching for a PhD student to design and develop a cryptocurrency literacy index. Cryptocurrency is becoming increasingly important in the world today, and offers a prominent research area.</p> <p></p> <p>The position is fully funded for one year with the prospect of seeking further funding in collaboration with the PhD student (possibility of prolonged funding for 3 years). Start date is negotiable. The position focuses on crafting a cryptocurrency literacy index, based on vast data and literature engagement.</p> <p></p> <p>We are looking for someone with the ambition to grow into a well-rounded researcher, writing papers that aim high in collaboration with supervisors and others. The candidate should ideally have a background and interest in business, finance, economics or information systems as fields of research, with skills and capabilities in quantitative analysis.</p> <p></p> <p><strong>Research focus</strong></p> <p>The primary objective of this project is to design and develop a cryptocurrency literacy index that captures individuals’ knowledge, competencies, and decision-making capabilities regarding cryptocurrencies and digital financial systems. The index will aim to provide a robust, scalable, and empirically grounded tool for measuring cryptocurrency literacy across different populations and contexts.</p> <p></p> <p>The research will involve a combination of conceptual development, data collection, and quantitative analysis. The candidate will engage with interdisciplinary literature spanning finance, information systems, and digital technologies to define the key dimensions of cryptocurrency literacy. These may include understanding of blockchain technology, risk awareness, financial decision-making, security practices, and the ability to critically evaluate cryptocurrency-related information.</p> <p></p> <p>Methodologically, the project may incorporate advanced analytical techniques, including statistical modeling and perhaps machine learning, to construct and validate the index using large-scale datasets (e.g., surveys, behavioral data, or digital trace data). The candidate will also explore demographic variations in cryptocurrency literacy and examine how such literacy relates to financial inclusion, investment behavior, and risk exposure.</p> <p></p> <p>The research is expected to result in high-quality academic publications and to contribute both theoretically and practically by offering a novel measurement framework that can inform policymakers, educators, and financial institutions. The exact direction of the research will be refined in collaboration with the supervisor team, taking into account the candidate’s background and interests.</p> <p></p> <p><strong>Required qualifications</strong></p> <p>We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with:</p> <ul> <li>A Master’s degree in business, finance, economics, information systems, or a related field, with a strong interest in becoming a researcher with a strong interest in cryptocurrency</li> <li>Strong interest in cryptocurrency and financial literacy as a research topic</li> <li>Interest in working with financial data</li> <li>Reflective and thoughtful approach to research, with aspirations to publish in high-impact publication outlets</li> <li>Very good written and spoken English</li> <li>Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research team</li> </ul> <p></p> <p><strong>We offer</strong></p> <ul> <li>One year of funded PhD position (with aspirations to seek further funding in collaboration with the PhD student)</li> <li>An interdisciplinary research environment with real-world impact</li> <li>Competitive salary according to Reykjavik University scales</li> <li>Conducting research in an international work environment</li> <li>A collaborative supervision team where the main supervisor is from the department of business and economics (Ender Demir) and the co-supervisor is from the department of computer science (Anna Sigridur Islind)</li> </ul> <p></p> <p><strong>Application</strong></p> <p>Please submit:</p> <ul> <li>CV</li> <li>Cover letter</li> <li>Research plan of one to two pages</li> <li>Master's thesis (if available)</li> <li>Publications (if available)</li> <li>Contact details for 2–3 references</li> </ul> <p>Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.</p> <p></p> <p><strong>Contact for Inquiries</strong></p> <p>Ender Demir, professor at the Department of Business and Economics, <a href="mailto:ender@ru.is" target="_blank">ender@ru.is</a>, will be the main supervisor for the candidate, and Anna Sigríður Islind, professor at the Department of Computer Science, <a href="mailto:islind@ru.is" target="_blank">islind@ru.is,</a> will be the co-supervisor for the candidate.</p> <p></p> <p><strong><em>About Reykjavik University (RU)</em></strong></p> <p><em>Reykjavík University has around 3.700 students and 300 faculty and employees in addition to numerous adjunct faculty in two schools: Technology and Social Sciences. We offer a welcoming and stimulating environment in which to work and live. The University is centrally located in Reykjavík, the capital city of Iceland. The role of Reykjavik University is to create and disseminate knowledge to enhance the competitiveness and quality of life for individuals and society, guided by good ethics, sustainability, and responsibility. Education and research at RU are based on strong ties with industry and society. We emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration, international relations, and entrepreneurship.</em></p> <p></p> <p><strong><em>About Iceland</em></strong></p> <p><em>Iceland is well known for its breathtaking natural beauty, with volcanoes, hot springs, lava fields and glaciers offering a dramatic landscape. It consistently ranks as one of the best places in the world to live. It offers a high quality of life and is one of the safest places in the world, with high gender equality and strong healthcare and social support systems. Reykjavik is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city that provides an ideal environment for combining cultural and family activities with an active lifestyle.</em></p>