The University of Amsterdam invites applications for two PhD positions at the university's Research Centre for Longevity Risk. We are looking for talented and motivated researchers with a strong interest in the centre's research activities. Details about the research centre and projects we are working on can be found at rclr.nl. For the current vacancies we are looking for candidates who would contribute to one of the following projects:

1. Effects of epidemics and pandemics on life expectancy;
2. life expectancy at advanced ages;
3. reinsurance of longevity risk;
4. redesign of pension provisions;
5. improved portfolios in response to changing survival rates.

Any research experience and expertise in one or more of those topics will be highly appreciated but is not a requirement. Candidates with a strong background in Actuarial Science, Econometrics, Statistics, (Applied) mathematics or related fields are encouraged to apply. The PhD candidate will be part of an interdisciplinary team with access to state of the art research facilities.

The Research Centre for Longevity Risk is part of the Faculty of Economics and Business at the University of Amsterdam (UvA EB). Research at UvA EB covers the broad domain of econometrics, economics, business economics and business, and is organized in two large schools: the Amsterdam School of Economics and the Amsterdam Business School (ABS). The research centre is a joint initiative of the Amsterdam School of Economics and Nationale-Nederlanden. The successful candidates will be part of a team of UvA researchers at the centre who study developments in survival rates and life expectancy, how these developments are affected by a variety of factors, and how an increasing life span affects the economy and wider society. This includes the development of mathematical models for demographic trends and medical developments, as well as the impact of local socio-economic conditions and the quality of our living environment on longevity.

Tasks:

During the four-year PhD trajectory, you will follow PhD level courses, plan and conduct your PhD research and contribute to the teaching of the school's programmes.

Starting date of the position: as soon as possible.

The candidate will aim to generate research that can be published in top-tier peer-reviewed journals, and will also be expected to communicate implications of the results to a broader audience of policy makers and society as a whole.

Your experience and profile:

Formal requirements:

• Masters' degree in Actuarial Science, Econometrics, Statistics, (Applied) mathematics or related fields (preferably a Research Master´s or equivalent).

Task-related requirements:

• Excellent English language skills, ideally with experience in writing for a scientific audience (for example, an MSc thesis);
• willingness and motivation to independently formulate research projects and carry them through to completion;
• statistical skills and command of standard software packages for analyzing quantitative data, and a willingness to develop these skills further;

Additional requirements:

• Strong motivation to pursue an international career as a leading scholar;
• strong commitment to methodological rigor and scientific integrity;
• energy and passion for researching solutions for modern challenges
• intellectual curiosity, eagerness to learn, and openness to criticism.

The compensation package is competitive at the European level and includes several secondary benefits. Favorable tax agreements may apply to non-Dutch applicants.

To know more about working at the University of Amsterdam, please check this link and uva.nl/working-at-eb

The employment contract will be for 4 years with an initial period of 18 months with an intermediate evaluation after 18 months and a possibility to extend it for 30 months (in total 4 years). The end-result should be a PhD thesis. An educational plan will be drafted that includes attendance of courses and (international) conferences. The teaching load comprises 20% of a candidate's time; teaching is in English.

The gross monthly salary will range from €2,541 in the first year to €3,247 in the last year. The Collective Labour Agreement (CAO) for Dutch Universities is applicable.

What else do we offer

• A position in which your own initiative and input is strongly valued;
• an enthusiastic and welcoming team that is open to new colleagues;
• an inspiring academic and international work environment in the centre of Amsterdam.

Faculty of Economics and Business

Education and research at UvA Economics and Business (EB) covers a wide range of fields that includes economics, data science, business administration, business analytics, accountancy, control, actuarial science, econometrics, finance and entrepreneurship. This is organised in 2 Schools: the Amsterdam Business School (ABS) and the Amsterdam School of Economics (ASE). Over 7,000 students are enrolled in our UvA Economics and Business programmes and around 500 employees provide education and support.

The vacancy at the Research Centre for Longevity Risk is within the Quantitative Economics section of the ASE, which is responsible for teaching most quantitative economics related courses at the undergraduate and graduate level. The section produces internationally acclaimed research and covers three different research programs: Actuarial Science & Mathematical Finance, Econometrics, and Equilibrium, Expectations & Dynamics (CeNDEF).

Find more information about Economics and Business on uva.nl/eb.

Find more information about the Amsterdam School of Economics on ase.uva.nl.

Find more information about the Quantitative Economics section here.