The Department of Macro, International and Labour Economics (MILE) at the School of Business and Economics (SBE) of Maastricht University offers a 4-year PhD position, starting January 1, 2023. Eligible candidates must have successfully completed a – preferably 2-year (120 ECTS) – Master’s degree (MSc or MPhil) in (Quantitative) Economics, Econometrics, or a related area (before January 2023) and have an excellent command of English.

More in detail, the research will focus on (1) surveying the state of the art in modeling labor markets in macro-energy models in general and IAMs specifically, (2) identify what empirically relevant mechanisms and dynamics are most urgent to be modeled and (3) use (simple) theories and models to inform extensions for use in the complex, numerically calibrated IAMs that are part of the consortium. We are thinking about heterogeneity in skills levels and types, which can be modeled with simple human capital theory and perhaps somewhat more challenging theories of technology and skills demand interactions. Such theories can help explain and inspire the modeling of differentiated labor markets that can track the supply and demand of skills that are relevant for the energy transition. The position will be closely aligned with a PhD-position that will work in parallel on similar improvements for the financial markets. It is a significant plus if the applicant is already familiar with advanced labor market economics and preferably also has some experience with modeling and programming.

We offer a dynamic and challenging job in an internationally oriented organisation. The candidate will be part of an international network of top universities and renowned scholars within the field, and will be able to participate in the research activities of the DIAMONDS-consortium. MILE has strong collaborations with other institutes and departments at Maastricht University and elsewhere.

We are looking for a candidate who has – proven – interest in and wants to work on a research project that focuses on extending Integrated Assessment Models to account for skills mismatches in energy transition scenarios. Integrated Assessment Models, such as those ran by the IPCC, are the tool of choice that policy makers rely on for making climate policy scenarios. In 2022, the European Union issued a call for proposals to improve these models. To date, these models typically feature a homogenous labor market where workers needed for the transition can be hired at a uniform and stable costs. In reality, workers are heterogeneous in skills, and their need, availability and cost price is not the same for all technologies in all countries and over time. To better account for possible qualitative mismatches in the labor markets, that may hinder the energy transition, we proposed to build simple modules into these models that will bring the most important implications of differentiated labor markets into scope. The candidate is expected to spend part of his time working for the European Consortium DIAMONDS of which this PhD-project is an integral part. This implies the candidate will work with an international consortium of modelers to not only design, but also implement the proposed model improvements. She/he may also be involved in small administrative tasks in the consortium (such as attending meetings, reviewing deliverables). The candidate is also expected to contribute to teaching activities at the department, taking max. 20% of total time.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

Remuneration will be according to standard salary levels for PhD students starting with a gross monthly salary of € 2,541 with a yearly growth to € 3,247(based on a full-time appointment). Each year the standard salary is supplemented with a holiday allowance of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.

You have to be willing to move to (the vicinity of) Maastricht, and to be able and willing to spend some time abroad (Europe). Depending on your personal situation, you will be eligible for an allowance for moving costs or for alternative housing. Other secondary conditions include a pension scheme and partially paid parental leave.

The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). Furthermore, local UM provisions also apply. For more information look at the website www.maastrichtuniversity.nl > About UM > Working at UM.

Maastricht University, School of Business and Economics

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