The behavioural economics research group is looking for a full time PhD student starting on 1 September 2024. The topic of the PhD project should fall within the research focus of the group, which includes the study of (un)ethical behaviour (e.g., cheating lying), social preferences, competitive preferences (possibly across genders), decision-making under risk and uncertainty, voting and voter behaviour, or financial decision-making. More details about the research focus of the behavioural economics group can be found here: https://www.eur.nl/en/ese/department-applied-economics/behavioural-economics/research.

Within this scope, the topic is open and will be chosen in coordination between the successful candidate and supervisor(s).

More information on the members and research of the group is available on this webpage: https://www.eur.nl/en/ese/department-applied-economics/behavioural-economics/people.

Job description
This PhD project is situated in the behavioural economics research group. The vision of the research group is to advance our understanding of human behaviour and the factors that shape it. The aim of the research program to effectively help people make smarter decisions in complex environments. The successful candidate will be supervised by two or more members of this research group. The behavioural economics group is situated within the department of applied economics of the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE). The group cooperates intensively with the other research programs in the department of applied economics (health and strategy economics) and outside research groups (e.g., Marketing and Operations Research at Rotterdam School of Management, Smarter Choice for Better Health, Erasmus Choice Modelling Centre, or the department of general economics at ESE).

The group’s research is on the intersection of economics and psychology. As such, most members are affiliated with the Tinbergen Institute and/or the Erasmus Research Institute in Management (ERIM). This interdisciplinary approach also shows in the publication record of the group, which encompasses both top economics, psychology, management, and political science journals. Recent research projects have amongst others been published in Econometrica, The Review of Financial Studies, Management Science, Experimental Economics, Nature Communications, Psychological Science, the American Political Science Review, European Economic Review, Journal of Economic Psychology, and many more.

The successful candidate will be able to choose an affiliation with ERIM or Tinbergen Institute depending on personal preference and research topic. The topic of the research project is open and will be determined in coordination between the candidate and supervisors.

For more information, you may consult the following webpages:

• Behavioural economics research group: https://www.eur.nl/en/ese/department-applied-economics/behavioural-economics/people
• Dept. applied economics: https://www.eur.nl/en/ese/department-applied-economics
• ERIM: https://www.erim.eur.nl/
• Tinbergen Institute: https://tinbergen.nl/home
• Smarter Choices for Better Health: https://www.eur.nl/en/research/research-groups-initiatives/erasmus-initiatives/smarter-choices-better-health

Erasmus Choice Modelling Centre: https://www.erim.eur.nl/choice-modelling

Expected output
Topic dependent. The candidate is expected to write at least 3 academic papers (cumulative PhD thesis) with the aim to be submitted to journals in Economics and related fields during or after the PhD trajectory. Preferably, at least 1 of the papers will be single-authored.

We welcome PhD candidates who aspire a career in research. To become one of our PhD candidates, you will need to be admitted to Erasmus School of Economics' graduate schools, the Tinbergen Institute or the Erasmus Research Institute in Management (ERIM).

Erasmus School of Economics’ admission requirements are:

• MPhil or Research Master’s degree in Economics, Econometrics, Mathematics or Physics is preferred. Please upload your bachelor’s and master’s degree.
  
  • Candidates with an MSc or MA degree are required to successfully complete 1 year of courses at the graduate school they are part of (Research Qualifications at the Tinbergen Institute or courses at ERIM)
• Excellent study results for both the bachelor’s and master’s degree. Please upload your transcript of records for the bachelor’s and master’s degree.
• Interest in and strong motivation for scientific research explained in a statement of purpose.
• GRE test is required for all entering PhD students. Valid GRE (revised) General Test results are required from all PhD applicants (all 3 sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing). Successful applicants typically perform among the top-10% of test-takers on the quantitative part of the GRE; applicants with a Q score below 160 will not be considered. The results should not be older than 5 years.
• Excellent command of English. Applicants whose native language is not English are therefore required to demonstrate English proficiency by:
  
  • proof that the language of instruction of their entire university education (bachelor and master programme) was English, or
  • scoring at least 100 on the TOEFL iBT test or 7.5 on the IELTS test.
• Two (academic) reference letters, preferably from a thesis supervisor or research project supervisor
• Curriculum Vitae

In addition to the general requirements, this PhD project expects you to have:

• A keen interest in behavioral economics and the psychology of decision making
• Experience with empirical studies and statistical software (Stata or R)

The research project will allow you to gain experience in a broad range of research methods, to address a highly relevant societal challenge, and increase the well-being of many.

We offer you an internationally oriented and varied job in an enthusiastic team, with excellent working conditions in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU).

The start date of this position is 01-09-2024 and you will be based at Campus Woudestein in Erasmus School of Economics (ESE). This position is for 1 fte - 1 fte FTE. The salary is dependent on your experience and knowledge and ranges from a minimum of € 2.770 to a maximum of € 3.539 gross per month (Scale PhD) on a fulltime basis (38 hours), in accordance with the CAO-NU.

Everything else we offer you, you can find below!

• Everything you need for a good work-life balance: the option to work from home in consultation with your manager, 41 days of paid leave with a 40 hour contract, 8% holiday pay and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus, and a significant discount on a subscription for our on-campus sports centre!
• Sustainable, inclusive and diverse work environment with an open culture, where you can be yourself and we pay attention to each other and to the world around us. Make the most of our bicycle budget, or join networks such as Young@EUR, FAME, QuEUR, or Young Erasmus Academy.
• Time and space for your development in the broadest sense: development days and a personal career budget, foreign exchange opportunities with most costs paid by EUR, and free access to our university library.
• Good pension with ABP that EUR contributes 2/3rds towards, discounts on various collective insurances with Zilveren Kruis Achmea, Loyalis, and Allianz, and compensation for travel, working from home and home internet use.
• Are you currently combining your job with parenthood, or do you want to do so in the future? EUR offers partially paid parental leave and fully paid additional birth leave for partners, and our campus features a daycare.
• Moving to the Netherlands for your job with EUR? Then you may be eligible for the 30%-ruling if you meet the requirements of the Belastingdienst (Dutch tax agency), and with our Dual Career Programme we will also help your partner find the right job for them.

Erasmus University Rotterdam

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) is an internationally oriented university with a strong social orientation in its education and research, as expressed in our mission ‘Creating positive societal impact’. EUR is home to 3.700 academics and professionals and almost 33.000 students from more than 140 countries. Everything we do, we do under the credo The Erasmian Way – Making Minds Matter. We’re global citizens, connecting, entrepreneurial, open-minded, and socially involved. These Erasmian Values function as our internal compass and create EUR’s distinctive and recognizable profile. From these values, with a broad perspective and with an eye for diversity, different backgrounds and opinions, our employees work closely together to solve societal challenges from the dynamic and cosmopolitan city of Rotterdam. Thanks to the high quality and positive societal impact of our research and education, EUR can compete with the top European universities. www.eur.nl.

Faculty / Institute / Central service
Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) is a leading school in economics in the Netherlands. It has a strong international reputation and aims to do outstanding research. Moreover, it provides excellent education at the BA., MA. and Ph.D. levels. Much research at Erasmus School of Economics is policy relevant, has social impact, and offers a strong research culture, ample research resources, and comparatively low teaching loads.
www.eur.nl/en/ese