PostDoc Researcher at UNU-MERIT (Modelling): Inequality Impacts of the Green and Digital Technology

UNU-MERIT is looking for a Research Fellow to work on an Horizon Europe project (ST4TE) studying the relation between the green and digital transitions and inequalities with an agent based, stock-flow consistent (AB-SFC) model.

Job Description

The Research Fellow will contribute to :

1. develop a Stock Flow Consistent (SFC) Agent Based Model (ABM) for understanding the complex interactions between income inequality, digital innovations and the green transition;
2. calibrate relevant parameters consistently with evidence on European regions produced in sperate anlaysis within the projects;
3. analyse different digital and green policy scenarios;
4. and run sensitivity analysis on the results.

The Research Fellow will extend an existing ABM-SFC model linking structural change, firm dynamics, income and demand distribution, energy technologies and stranded assets.

The Research Fellow will work in collaboration with a team of top scholars in economics of innovation, climate change and finance in a vibrant research environment at UNU-MERIT and Paris 1, and partner organisations. Funding will be available to participate in projects research meetings and workshops to refine the model, as well presenting results at relevant external conferences and workshops. As part of ST4TE, the Research Fellow will have access to several data sources.

The work will lead to publications in top journals led by the Research Fellow.

The Research Fellow will:

• Work on a macro stock-flow consistent agent based model (and code) representing final good, capital good and energy firms, consumers, finance and Government;
• Extend/simplify the model to include:
  • Digital technologies in the final and capital good sectors
  • Industrial and fiscal policy scenarios
  • Financial and carbon instruments
• Calibrate the model and analyse robustness and sensitivity;
• Support the writing of publishable project deliverables in collaboration with project team members;
• Present results at international conferences and submit working papers to journals.

Requirements

The ideal candidate, will have a PhD in Economics or related quantitative social sciences, with expertise on (agent based) modelling. They will have experience with developing and analysing complex models. They may have a background on ecological economics, environmental economics and economics of innovation, and a good understanding of the micro and macro economic relations between structural change on the supply and demand side and climate change.

• A PhD (or near to completion) in Economics or related quantitative social sciences;
• Experience with modelling – with at least some experience with agent based modelling;
• Excellent programming skills;
• Strong attention to detail with good organisation skills; ability to manage multiple, concurrent tasks;
• Evidence of engagement in high-quality research activity;
• Excellent presentation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing (in English), with students, colleagues and external audiences;
• Ability to work individually on own initiative and without close supervision, and as part of a team;
• Ability to exercise a degree of innovation and creative problem-solving; excellent organisational and administrative skills; ability to prioritise and meet deadlines.

Desirable:

• Good knowledge of the literature on environmental economics and innovation;
• Emerging track record of high-quality publications in reputable journals and other appropriate media of similar standing;
• Acquaintance with stock-flow consistent models
• Experience with machine learning and other statistical techniques to analyse model properties and sensitivity
• Good data analytics and visualization skills

What we offer

As a PostDoc at the School of Business and Economics, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:

• Good employment conditions. The position is graded in scale 10 or 11 according to UFO profile Researcher, function level 3 or 4 with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €3226,00 and €5929,00 gross per month (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
• An employment contract for a period of 18 months (start date: as soon as possible, but no later than 1 January 2025) with a scope of 0.8-1.0 FTE.
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model.
• As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students.
• Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as 'acknowledge and appreciate'.

The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, click here.

Maastricht University

Why work at Maastricht University?

At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.

In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.

With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.

Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.

Click here for more information about UM.

The School of Business and Economics

The School of Business and Economics (SBE) is one of Maastricht University’s six faculties. Our mission is to contribute to a better world by addressing societal problems, by co-creating knowledge and developing team players and leaders for the future.

By joining SBE, you will be part of the 1% of business schools worldwide to be Triple Crown accredited (EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA). You will join an inspiring and international environment, where learning and development is priority.

Department

UNU-MERIT is a research and training institute of the United Nations University (UNU) and Maastricht University. UNU-MERIT aims to advance societal policy and innovation research, provide education and mobilise knowledge to unlock innovation's full potential for achieving inclusive sustainable development. UNU-MERIT ranks among the leading research groups working in the field of innovation studies. Our research contributes to academic and policy debates on the economics of innovation and technology, providing a bridge between academic and policy communities by addressing real-world problems through societally relevant research grounded in academic excellence.

Curious?

Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions?

Feel free to contact D. Tommaso Ciarli at ciarli@merit.unu.edu; and

Dr. Önder Nomaler at nomaler@merit.unu.edu for more information.

Applying?

Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new PostDoc?

Apply now for this position, no later than 8 September 2024.

Please upload your CV, motivation letter, 2 reference letters and your most relevant piece of work (e.g. Job Market Paper, Publication, Working Paper, PhD Chapter).

The first interviews preferably take place between 23 September and 4 October 2024.

The second interviews will be held on shortly after.

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.