FPI Predoctoral Fellowship

Why IE University?

Every story begins with a purpose, and ours has always been about people. Founded in 1973, IE University has continuously raised the bar to drive positive change through education. We believe education is more than a path to professional success; it is a catalyst for personal transformation and meaningful impact. 

At IE University, we place people and their potential at the center of everything we do, empowering individuals to become extraordinary. We encourage bold thinking and foster a culture where innovation, curiosity, and courage lead to real-world impact. Together, we create an environment where talent thrives, and ideas shape the future. 

Our mission 

We support students in developing impact skills to live and lead with positive impact. This ignites a ripple effect: We transform people, who then transform others, systems, society, and, ultimately, our world.  

Our Purpose

To foster positive change.  

Values  

1. Cultivate the humanistic approach.  
2. Empower your entrepreneurial spirit 
3. Cherish the diversity of people, mind, and experience 
4. Drive innovation with a proactive mindset

• Conduct independent and collaborative academic research as part of a predoctoral fellowship program.]
• Develop and manage long-term research projects in the areas of family business, ownership, governance, and sustainable finance. 
• Contribute to research on topics such as family firms, entrepreneurial families, family offices, ownership and control, and decision-making in family-controlled organizations. 
• Perform quantitative data analysis using tools such as Stata, R, or Python, or demonstrate a strong willingness to acquire these skills rapidly. 
• Participate in the preparation of working papers and academic manuscripts to publish in top-tier academic journals. 
• Engage actively with senior scholars and research teams in an international and interdisciplinary academic environment. 
• Incorporate feedback constructively and collaborate effectively within research teams.

• Master’s degree in Management, Economics, Finance, or a closely related field, completed prior to the start date. 
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to work autonomously on complex research questions.
• Demonstrated interest in academic research, particularly in one or more of the following areas:
  • Family firms and entrepreneurial families
  • Family offices as owners, investors, and governance structures
• Ownership, control, and decision-making
• Impact investing and ESG strategies
• Sustainable and responsible finance
• Social entrepreneurship and venture philanthropy 
• Prior research experience (e.g. Master’s thesis, research assistantship, working papers) is highly valued. 
• Experience with, or strong willingness to learn, quantitative research methods and statistical software (Stata, R, Python).
• Fluent English, both written and spoken; Spanish is considered an asset but is not required. 
• Ability to work effectively in an international, research-intensive academic environment.