12 Doctoral Researcher Positions in the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network HEPARD

About the Programme

HEPARD (Health Economic Policy Advice with Real-world Data) equips early-career researchers with solid theoretical foundations, advanced empirical methods, and the ability to engage across disciplines, combining rigorous academic training with real-world policy engagement. The network’s research program includes four main work packages:

• Real Data Innovation Analytics: Applies machine learning and causal inference to assess lifestyle health interventions aimed at reducing chronic disease.
• Family Futures: Studies health policies’ impacts on parents and children, focusing on policies like postpartum support and childcare across diverse European contexts.
• Incentives and Impacts: Examines how various health insurance systems affect equity and access across Europe.
• Methodological Cross-Breeding for Enhanced Causal Inference: Develops new causal inference tools by integrating economic and epidemiological approaches.

Each doctoral researcher position is linked to a clearly defined research topic related to one of the work packages, which is described in detail in the respective vacancy announcement of the host institutions listed below.

Training Highlights

• Core courses in health economics, causal inference, microeconometrics, health inequalities, medical epidemiology, and healthcare decision-making.
• Electives covering data science, public health, implementation science, and empirical microeconomics.
• Two secondments: one academic, fostering research collaboration and methodological expertise, and one non-academic, providing real-world policy and practice experience.
• Network-wide workshops and conferences fostering interdisciplinary exchange and policy engagement.
• Regular online meetings featuring research seminars and journal clubs.
• Career development sessions including leadership, team building, and grant writing.

Candidate Profile

We welcome candidates with strong academic backgrounds in economics or related fields who are motivated to explore complex questions at the intersection of health, economics, and policy.

We seek highly motivated candidates with:

• Strong quantitative skills, with advanced training in econometrics, data analysis, and/or simulation modelling.
• A solid background in economics or a closely related field, ideally with knowledge of health or public economics.
• Programming experience in Stata, R, or Python.
• Intellectual curiosity, analytical rigour, and a keen interest in policy-relevant research.
• Desirable: familiarity with health insurance systems, structural estimation, or experience with life-cycle or longitudinal data.
• Eligibility in accordance with the MSCA mobility rule: candidates must not have lived or carried out their main activity (work or studies) in the country of the recruiting host institution for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date. Exceptions apply only for compulsory national service (for example mandatory military or civilian service) or recognised refugee status under the Geneva Convention.
• Candidates must not already be in possession of a doctoral degree.

Below you will find links to the individual doctoral researcher positions at the involved partner institutions. 

Please note that application deadlines may vary and should be carefully observed as stated in the job advertisements of the respective institutions.

Currently open positions:

• RWI – Leibniz Institute for Economic Research (Germany)
  • EURAXESS job advertisement: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/389462
  • Hosting unit: https://www.rwi-essen.de/en/researchadvice/departments/health-economics
• Tilburg University (Netherlands)
  • EURAXESS job advertisement: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/393654
  • Hosting unit: https://www.tilburguniversity.edu/about/schools/economicsand-management/organization/departments/eor
• University of Duisburg-Essen (Germany):
  • EURAXESS job advertisement: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/388435
  • Hosting unit: https://cinch.uni-due.de/en/
• Uppsala University (Sweden)
  • EURAXESS job advertisement: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/393414
  • Hosting unit: https://www.uu.se/en/department/medical-sciences

Coming soon:

• Babeș-Bolyai University (Romania)
  • Hosting unit: https://econ.ubbcluj.ro/international/
• University of Oslo (Norway)
  • Hosting unit: https://www.med.uio.no/helsam/english/ 
     

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