The Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI-KNAW/UG) and the SOM the graduate school of Economics & Business of the Faculty of Economics & Business (RUG) are looking to fulfill one PhD position on the impact of neighbourhood effects and socio-economic status on health over individual life courses.

Job description
The position is within a joined project between NIDI and the University of Groningen (UG) and is funded by a grant from NWO (Open competition 2021). The candidate is expected to write a PhD dissertation based on a set of research articles publishable in international refereed journals. He/she will be part of and participate in the NIDI Themegroup Ageing & Longevity. He/she will be supervised by dr. Govert E. Bijwaard (NIDI) and prof. dr. J. Paul Elhorst (UG). NIDI and FEB have long-term collaborations in research on health, economics and business. The vacancy reflects this joint commitment and research agenda.

Project description
Health is influenced not only by somebody’s socio-economic status but also by socio-economic characteristics and social ties within the neighbourhood of somebody’s place of residence. In addition, the causal interpretation between health and socio-economic status has been challenged. This project aims to uncover the causal mechanisms of poor and rich socio-economic status early in life on health trajectories later in life, with a distinct focus on the impact of residential social interaction. Especially the causal impact of residential deprivation on health, the fact that individuals self-select themselves into neighbourhoods based on individual attributes, and that their behaviours are interdependent is insufficiently researched. Insights in these neighbourhood effects is important because of their multiplier effects; behavioural changes of one individual may spread to others with the potential to produce spillover benefits. When ignoring these multiplier effects, the impact of policy interventions may be severely underestimated. This project distinguishes three phases of individual life courses: early-, mid- (employment, marriage and divorce) and later life (retirement), thereby contributing to the existing literature by analysing the dynamics of health (subjective and objective health measurements and both physical and mental health) over time and space, i.e., over individual life courses in relation to socio-economic status and neighbourhoods.

We are looking for candidate with the following qualifications:

• Having a master degree in Econometrics, Statistics, Demography or related discipline with a solid background in quantitative methods
• Demonstrated quantitative research experience (e.g. in a research master, the master thesis or internship) and affinity with the research topic in health
• Experience and affinity with advanced econometric/statistical, computational methods or programming skills for the analysis of large datasets (e. g. survey or register data)
• Excellent command of the English language, both written and oral.

It is considered an asset to have knowledge of health economics or spatial econometrics. We are looking for a candidate with well-developed social skills to work in a collaborative research environment.

The candidate is expected to start in September 2021. The initial appointment will be for a period of 1 year at the NIDI. After positive evaluation the appointment will be extended at the NIDI for another 3 years.

All positions within NIDI are classified according to the University Job Classification System (Universitair Functie Ordenen, “UFO”). This position is classified as PhD Candidate. All remuneration includes 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus according to “CAO-Nederlandse Universiteiten” (CAO-NU).

Benefits include pension contribution, annual holiday premium of 8% and an end-of-year premium of 8.3%. Non-Dutch nationals may be eligible for a substantial tax break (30% ruling) on the condition they are living and registered in The Netherlands.

Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI)

The Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI-KNAW) is an Academy research institute. NIDI conducts research on population issues and informs policymakers and society about the results of demographic research. By concentrating researchers from different disciplines in a single institute, NIDI has become one of the most important demographic research centres in Europe.

The Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) is the largest faculties of the University of Groningen (UG). The research programme of Economics, Econometrics and Finance (EEF), embedded in FEB, is an active and international research community, performing at the highest international level in terms of research and publications. “Healthy ageing for healthy society” is one of four designated focal research areas at the University. Accordingly, FEB supports and invests in a team of first-rate researchers working on these issues. The health research infrastructure includes the renowned University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) and the interdisciplinary Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health (AJSPH). Research and policy communication and advice are strongly integrated across these institutions. At FEB, researchers in the focal research area collaborate in the Center for Public Health in Economics and Business (CPHEB), which serves as the Faculty arm of the AJSPH.