The Department of Economics, jointly with Tilburg Sustainability Center, is inviting applications for a 2 up to 4-year Postdoctoral Researcher and/or a 4-year PhD researcher in Economics. The selected candidate is an economist with strong analytical and quantitative skills, programming experience in either R or python, and motivated to combine rigorous research with social impact. The researcher will contribute to empirical studies about small energy users and the energy transition, as well as the development of a new generation of computable general equilibrium models for circular economy and climate strategies.
The position is rooted in two projects. The first project is embedded in the Academic Collaborative Center for Climate and Energy (https://www.tilburguniversity.edu/collaboration/program-broad-prosperity/climate-and-energy). Together with governments, businesses, and civil society organizations we tackle the challenges for climate and the energy transition. Research questions include (but are not restricted to): How do consumers respond to dynamic pricing? What types of energy contracts incentivize flexible energy consumption, support investments in solar and storage, while securing customers against price volatility? How do energy markets respond to volatile renewable supply?
The second project is from Horizon Europe: “CircoMod – Circular economy modelling for climate change mitigation”. The EU project hosts a diverse group of European researchers on economics, climate, material flows, and policy making. Tilburg University contributes by developing analytical and quantitative models for circular economy (CE) strategies, and extending economic models with material balances and secondary markets.
The job can include a teaching task including thesis supervision, which will be consistent with the role of Postdoc/PhD candidate. Preferences for teaching are discussed at the interview and can be part of a balanced job offer.
Details of the PhD Position
- A position based on 1,0 fte (40 hours per week)
- An appointment for the total of 48 months. The selected candidate will initially be appointed for 18 months, with an extension for the following 30 months based on a positive evaluation. The evaluation will take place after about 14 months.
- A starting gross salary is € 2,770 per month (for a full-time appointment) in the first year, up to € 3,539 in the final year, based on salary scale P of the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
Details of the Postdoctoral Position
- A position based on 1,0 fte (40 hours per week)
- A temporary contract for 2 up to 4 years at 1.0 FTE.
- A starting gross salary is € 3.226 and maximum € 5.929 gross per month for full time employment, based on salary scale 10 or 11 of the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. It depends on your relevant work experience if you are scaled as a Researcher 4 or 3.
Eligibility for the PhD Position
- An academic Master’s or MPhil/Research master’s degree in business studies, economics, econometrics, operations research or another relevant field that is deemed an equivalent to the previous education profile.
- Completed the previous degree with an excellent GPA (top 10% of class as guideline)
- Proficiency in English to be proven by means of an IELTS score of at least 7.0, with no sub scores below 6.5, a TOEFL score of at least 100 (internet based) or 600 (paper based), a Cambridge CAE (at least B) or a Cambridge CPE. Exemptions can be provided upon request to native English speakers or to candidates who have obtained their bachelor’s and master’s degree in English in Europe, Canada, USA, Australia, or New Zealand.
- A solid quantitative background, to be proven in one of the following ways:
1. candidates with a MSc or MPhil degree from a Research University in the European Union need to have at least 24 ECTS credits in quantitative and research methods courses during their BSc and/or MSc or MPhil programs. If this is not the case, but you would still like to be considered for admission, you are welcome to hand in a GRE or GMAT test score to show your quantitative competences.
2. candidates with a MSc or MPhil degree from a university outside the European Union: please provide a recent GRE or GMAT test score.
Eligibility for the Postdoctoral Position
- Doctoral/PhD degree in Economics. The doctoral degree must be completed by September 1, 2024.
- Demonstrated experience in research through publications, conference presentations, or previous projects.
- Excellent English-language academic writing skills in accordance with the standards of the best journals in our field.
- Demonstrable project management skills, and ideally also some project management experience.
- Postdocs are expected to work both independently, taking initiative in research project development and execution, and collaboratively within a team, making demonstrated independence and teamwork valued qualifications.
- If you have any of the following additional skills or evidence of skills, please include them specifically in your application, as they can be of value in the selection process:
- Experience with inter- and/or transdisciplinary research collaborations, exemplified e.g., by prior involvement in projects of that kind.
Requirements
- Ambition to reach out to university partners and make a difference through excellent research
- Demonstrated analytical skills (courses and/or papers)
- Demonstrated skills in economic theory (courses and/or papers)
- Skills for quantitative modelling (both empirical and for analysis/simulation; R and python)
- Demonstrated interest in sustainability
- The ability to independently carry out research, and co-work in a team
Application Details
- A letter of motivation. Additionally, indicate in your letter whether you are applying for the PhD or Postdoctoral position.
- Curriculum vitae.
- Publication list
- Research statement of maximum 2 pages
- Teaching evaluations if applicable
- Examples of own work
- The exact contact details of at least two references (including name, telephone number and email address)
- Official copy of university degree and grades (full transcripts of BSc and MSc).
- A pdf copy of master thesis or other research-oriented output (such as a Bachelor Thesis or a term paper). This work must be single- or first-authored. If you are currently working on your master thesis, feel free to submit thesis draft.
- Proof of proficiency in English, or a request for exemption
- If applicable, a recent GRE or GMAT score.
- Course list and grades of BSc and MSc programs.
More information on the vacated position can be obtained from Prof. Reyer Gerlagh ( R.*******@ti***************.edu ).
