Research Associate (post-doc, f/m) for the Living Conditions Department - Ref: 23-17

Attendance

On-Site

Posted on

Type

Postdoc

Reference Number

23-17

  • Ref: 23-17
  • Fixed-term working contract for 32 months at LISER on the FNR-funded CORE project “SPIN - Spatial Economics of Income Distribution Across Borders: Drivers of Spatial Inequalities using Microsimulation”
  • Full time, 40 hours/week
  • Start date: January 1st 2024
  • Department: Living Conditions (LC)
  • Location: Belval (Luxembourg)
  • Deadline: until the position is filled

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a 32-month full-time fixed-term contract as a Research Associate in Economics within the Living Conditions Department. This position is part of the FNR-CORE project “SPIN - Spatial Economics of Income Distribution across Borders: Drivers of Spatial Inequalities using Microsimulation” and will be under the supervision of Dr. Denisa M. Sologon, who is coordinating the project. This position is carried out with the support of the National Research Fund (FNR) in Luxembourg.

 

Job Description

The SPIN project will enhance the understanding of the nature of spatial inequalities in disposable income in cross-border regions in Europe and the role played by tax-benefit policies, labour mobility/commuting and housing in shaping spatial income inequalities. The project will build a novel spatial cross-border microsimulation model that goes beyond existing spatially disaggregated analytical frameworks and is able to disentangle the roles of tax-benefit policies (cross-border and national), cross-border commuting, local labour markets and housing in shaping spatial income/welfare inequalities in cross-border regions. We will focus on Luxembourg and its cross-border commuting regions. The spatial microsimulation model could be further extended to cover environmental issues.

The project is ambitious in its aim to produce high-quality academic articles by implementing an innovative modeling framework. The core skill set required for this project includes both scholarly article writing and economic modeling. While the candidate is expected to possess general modeling skills and analytical aptitude, as demonstrated through publications in international peer-reviewed journals, the emphasis is on demonstrating proficiency in these areas rather than on specialized modeling skills, which can be developed throughout the project.

 

Your role

You will be employed to undertake research in the area of spatial welfare in cross-border regions using microsimulation techniques. You are expected to contribute to the implementation of the SPIN project in line with the project plan:

  • Analytical
    • Data assembly and management;
    • Model coding and development of the infrastructure;
    • Model simulation;
    • Analysis and interpretation of results.

 

  • Journal Article Writing
    • Contribute to the collection and reviewing of the relevant literature;
    • Development of theoretical frameworks;
    • Writing up results;
    • Drawing policy conclusions;
    • Paper submission and management of review process.

 

  • Dissemination and reporting
    • Collaborate on the production of policy research reports and policy briefs;
    • Communicate results to stakeholders within and outside academia;
    • Contribute to drafting the project reporting;
    • Present at international project meetings, conferences, as well as in related stakeholder events;
    • Collaborate in the organization of scientific activities linked to the project and the larger research group;
    • In case of spin-off project submissions, collaborate in fundraising activities at national and/or international level by contributing to the writing and submission of proposals.

The successful candidate will work in an interdisciplinary and multicultural environment with PhD students, postdoctoral researchers and research scientists from LISER.

 

Your profile

Candidates should have excellent communication and organizational skills, be highly motivated and passionate about developing new research, and have strong documentation, oral and interpersonal skills.

Candidates should ensure that research is conducted with integrity, adhering to ethical standards and best practices in the field.

Essential Criteria:

  • PhD in Economics or related discipline;
  • Evidence of track record in writing and publishing peer reviewed papers;
  • Evidence of experience in handling large scale datasets;
  • Experience in statistical and econometric analysis of micro datasets.

 

Desirable Criteria:

  • Evidence of experience in developing and using micro-based simulation models;
  • Evidence of experience in presenting results at academic conferences;
  • Experience in engaging with non-academic stakeholders.

 

What we offer

  • A dynamic and international research environment with good working conditions and stimulating work environment:

The selected candidate will join an established international network of colleagues with complementary skills to support the development of an ambitious research programme to build a core microsimulation capacity for social, economic, and environmental policy aimed to assess the impact on wellbeing of crises: Financial, Covid-19, Cost of Living, and Climate Crisis. This network comprises a core team consisting of individuals from the National University of Ireland Galway, University of Canberra, the International Microsimulation Association, the OECD, LIS and LISER, as well as a wider network of collaborators. This includes colleagues with different seniority levels and PhD students who utilize our research infrastructure. The core research team meets fortnightly and hosts the International Seminar on Microsimulation and Inequality.

  • An Internationally competitive salary package with several advantages defined in our Framework Convention for the employees of public research centres and our Collective Labour Agreement;
  • 32,5 days of annual leaves per year for a full-time employee;
  • Flexible working hours and a possibility of telework;
  • A development-oriented training offer and the possibility to participate to conferences, seminars etc. to support your career.

 

Research at LISER

LISER is a publicly funded research institute located in Luxembourg. LISER is devoted to applied empirical research in economic, social and spatial sciences. Interdisciplinarity is a key element for stimulating scientific innovation. LISER research addresses current and future societal challenges and delivers relevant and independent societal impact and policy advice both at the national and European level. The institute attracts researchers from all over the world and high-level doctoral training is a vibrant part of the Institute’s activities. The institute‘s staff consists of about 170 employees (including a survey and data center), about 90 staff being researchers, active in the fields of economics, sociology, and geography. The working languages at the institute are French and English.

 

Our work site

The institute is located on the new Belval campus in the south of Luxembourg (Cité des Sciences, Luxembourg), which hosts the University of Luxembourg and a substantial part of the country’s publicly funded research facilities, i.e. LISER, the Luxembourg Income Study (LIS) cross-national data center, the Luxembourg institutes of Health (LIH) and of Science and Technology (LIST). The University has outstanding high performance computing facilities available for use by associated researchers in the Luxembourg Institutes. Luxembourg with its > 600,000 inhabitants is one of the wealthiest countries in the world and provides a stimulating mixture of modern culture and tradition. Contemporary urbanity of its capital lies in close vicinity to a rich nature. In addition to excellent health, education (public, private and high level international schools) and recreational services, the community offers a rich variety of cultural activities typical of a major university environment, including museums, music, art and theatre. The official languages are French, German and Luxemburgish. Information for foreign researchers interested in Luxembourg research is accessible via the national EURAXESS platform.

 

Application process

Please submit your complete application in English via https://jobs.liser.lu/jobs by including the following documents:

  • Your curriculum vitae;
  • A copy of your PhD diploma;
  • A motivation letter, in which you present your relevant skill with respect to the project and how you plan to contribute to it; you can contact Dr. Denisa M. Sologon if you need more details about the content of the project;
  • Once scientific article representing your recent research;
  • Two reference letters (to be uploaded with the application documents or sent separately to recruitment@liser.lu).

Please note that the position will remain open until filled.

The foreseen start date is January 1st, 2024

The recruitment process will include interviews, which will take place online or in-person.

 

Would you have any work-related question on the position, please contact Dr. Denisa M. Sologon (denisa.sologon@liser.lu).

For administrative matters, please contact recruitment@liser.lu.

 

LISER is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Posted on

Type

Postdoc

Reference Number

23-17

Esch-sur-Alzette%2C%20Luxembourg

4366 Esch-sur-Alzette , Luxembourg