Postdoc Position: Illicit Trade and Global Value Chains

1. Introduction

Are you passionate about exploring the intersection of global value chains (GVCs), supply chain governance and illicit economies? Do you want to contribute to cutting-edge research on how licit and illicit activities intertwine in GVCs? If so, this postdoctoral researcher position at the Nijmegen School of Management/Radboud University offers a unique opportunity to engage in pioneering research on shadow supply chains. You will be part of a multidisciplinary research team investigating how illicit trade flows persist and integrate within legal markets, contributing to both academic debates and practical policy solutions.

2. Job description

In this project, you will work closely with a diverse and interdisciplinary research group, including:

• Dr Sarah Castaldi, Assistant Professor of International Business at Radboud University (Principal Investigator).
• Dr Robbert Maseland, Professor of International Economics at Radboud University.
• Dr Miriam Wilhelm, Professor of Sustainable Supply Chain Management at VU Vienna.
• Sander de Raad, independent CSR Consultant for South East Africa and Director of Social Enterprise at Blue Leaf BV.

Why this project matters: GVCs are often assumed to be structured around formalised legal and economic transactions. However, many industries operate in dual supply chains where legal and illegal trade flows coexist. These ’shadow supply chains’ emerge due to systemic vulnerabilities, regulatory gaps and economic incentives. This project seeks to understand:

What drives the persistence of illicit trade flows within GVCs? How do actors navigate, justify and embed illicit activities in global markets? What governance mechanisms could disrupt these illicit flows without exacerbating economic vulnerabilities?

What this project entails: This research combines insights from institutional theory, GVC analysis, supply chain management, and international economics. It explores how legal and illegal markets converge, evolve and sustain themselves through adaptive mechanisms. The project employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating qualitative case studies and interviews with quantitative data analysis based on secondary sources, to examine illicit trade flows across various industries (e.g. minerals, pharmaceuticals, agriculture).

Your role: As a postdoctoral researcher, you will take the lead in conducting empirical research on illicit trade flows and shadow supply chains, with a particular focus on fieldwork in developing countries, mainly in Africa. You will develop theoretical insights on the intersection of institutionalisation, governance and informality in GVCs. Additionally, you will publish your findings in high-impact journals and present them at international conferences, collaborate with researchers and stakeholders to bridge academic and practical perspectives, and supervise Bachelor’s and Master’s students working on their theses on related topics.

Why this is a unique opportunity: This position offers a rare chance to work on a pioneering project at the crossroads of international business, institutional economics and supply chain governance. You will collaborate with leading experts and gain exposure to both academic and policy-oriented research. Whether you are interested in advancing theoretical knowledge or developing practical solutions for addressing illicit trade, this project provides a dynamic platform for impactful research.

3. Profile

• You are a highly motivated, independent researcher with a strong background in one or more of the following fields: international business, supply chain management, institutional economics, or a related discipline.
• You have a PhD degree in international business, management, economics, or a related field.
• You have a strong interest in responsible business, GVCs, supply chain governance, institutional theory, and/or illicit trade and informal economies.
• You have experience with fieldwork and qualitative (and preferably quantitative) research methods.
• You have the ability and willingness to conduct research in a developing country context.
• You have a publication record in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals or a strong pipeline of working papers with the potential for publication in top-tier academic outlets.
• You have excellent analytical, organisational, and time-management skills.
• You have a high level of written and spoken English proficiency.
• You have a collaborative and constructive approach to research and the ability to provide and receive feedback effectively.
• You have enthusiasm for and experience in teaching a limited number of management courses and supervising Bachelor’s and Master’s theses. 

4. We are

You will be part of a vibrant, multidisciplinary research group  collaborating with academic and industry partners worldwide. Our research integrates theoretical advancements with real-world challenges, contributing to academic debates and policy discussions on global trade and governance.

This project aims to contribute to understanding the dynamics of illicit trade within GVCs and seeks candidates who are eager to engage with complex global challenges. The lingua franca at our institute is English, ensuring an inclusive and international research environment.

If you are excited about contributing to this project and shaping the future of research on illicit trade flows in global value chains, we look forward to receiving your application!

5. We offer

• We will give you a temporary employment contract of 2 year(s).
• Your salary depends on your previous experience, with a maximum of € 4,227 gross per month (salary scale 10, step 5)  and progresses further within salary scale 10. The amounts in the scale are based on a 38-hour working week. 
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus. 
• We offer Dual Career Coaching. The Dual Career Coaching assists your partner via support, tools, and resources to improve their chances of independently finding employment in the Netherlands. 
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20. 

6. Practical information and applying

You can apply only via the button below. Address your letter of application to Sarah Castaldi. In the application form, you will find which documents you need to include with your application.

The first round of interviews will take place on Thursday 17 April and the second round on Thursday 8 May. You will preferably start your employment on 1 August 2025.  

We can imagine you're curious about our application procedure. It describes what you can expect during the application procedure and how we handle your personal data and internal and external candidates. If you wish to apply for a non-scientific position with a non-EU nationality, please take notice of the following information.