Are you passionate about finding innovative ways to improve access to finance for income generation, for those that have limited if any access currently? In collaboration with the Dutch inclusive finance firm Qredits and the European Microfinance Network (EMN), the University of Twente received an EIBURS grant from the European Investment Bank (EIB) Institute to study ground breaking practices in the field of financial inclusion in Europe. For this project, we are looking for both (1) a PhD and (2) a postdoc researcher. Are you interested in strengthening our team?

You are asked to uncover innovative practices across Europe while additionally conducting a detailed analysis of the rich data that Qredits has available with regards to their existing client base. Via our academic partners the TU Berlin (Germany) and Nord University (Norway), we will also be able to study the German and Norwegian inclusive finance markets. Based on these studies, we research how a good balance is achieved between automation and face-to-face interaction when seeking to deliver the greatest impact for inclusive finance. In sum, while conducting rigorous research, we also want to impact practice and provide strong policy recommendations to the EIB and other relevant societal actors. You are encouraged to spend substantial time at the Qredits head office for your research.

As a PhD candidate, you will become a central player in our diverse research team, and together with a postdoc you will research:

• Practices of innovative European inclusive finance organizations;
• Improving cost-effectiveness of current methods and systems in relation to the success of specific customer segments;
• Strengthening loan assessment with the help of digitalization;
• The impact of new technology on the inclusive finance landscape.

• A Master’s degree in Business Administration, Industrial Engineering & Management, Business & IT, Public Administration or equivalent;
• An interest in the innovative use of IT and/or finance geared towards reducing poverty and social exclusion;
• Affinity with inclusive finance and new technology development;
• You know how to use software packages for the analyses of large datasets such as Python, R and/or other packages, or you are eager to learn basic data science techniques;
• Proficient in written and spoken English C2 and preferably also in Dutch or are able to learn Dutch; command of the German and/or Norwegian language would be an additional advantage;
• Excellent academic writing skills- you are urged to provide evidence of a study you conducted (ideally a conference or journal paper);
• Excellent methodological and analytical skills, a critical mindset and you enjoy a challenge;
• Excellent teammate with good social skills.

INFORMATION AND APPLICATION

More information about this position can be obtained from Dr. Michel Ehrenhard (m.l.ehrenhard@utwente.nl). Please send your application, with a detailed CV and a motivation letter, through the link below before the 11th of November, 2019.

We offer you a very challenging position in an inspiring multidisciplinary environment. The university offers a dynamic ecosystem with enthusiastic colleagues in which internationalization and entrepreneurship are a key part of the strategic agenda.

• We strive for diversity and fairness in hiring - we offer a full time four-year position;
• We provide you excellent mentorship and a stimulating, modern research environment with world-class research facilities;
• You will be part of a dedicated team with whom you will collaborate extensively with industry;
• You will benefit from a professional and personal development program and a green and lively campus, with lots of sports facilities and other activities;
• You receive a starting gross salary per month of € 2.325,- in the first year and a salary of € 2.972,- in the fourth year. Additionally, you get a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, a year-end bonus of 8.3%, and you will have a minimum of 29 leave days in case of full-time employment.

You first responsibility is to carry out the research, but additionally we encourage you to acquire teaching experience. We support you in broadening your knowledge by joining (international) PhD courses, by participating in national and international conferences and workshops, and by visiting alternative finance companies, research institutes, and universities worldwide.

The University of Twente. We stand for life sciences and technology. High tech and human touch. Education and research that matter. New technology which leads change, innovation and progress in society. The University of Twente is the only campus university of the Netherlands; divided over five faculties we provide more than fifty educational programmes. We have a strong focus on personal development and talented researchers are given scope for carrying out groundbreaking research.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status. Because of our diversity values we do particularly support women to apply.

Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social sciences 
The Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social sciences (BMS) strives to play a pivotal role in understanding, co-engineering and evaluating innovation in society. Innovation is driven by advances in technology. Through 'social engineering' these technological advances are embedded in society befitting human needs and behaviour, within proper public and private management and business structures. For this the faculty of BMS upholds high quality disciplinary knowledge in psychology, business administration, public administration, communication science, philosophy, educational science and health sciences. All with a focus on the challenges in society. Research is strongly connected to our institutes: Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centra and Digital Society Institute.

Qredits is a social enterprise that supports entrepreneurs in the Netherlands to successfully start or invest in their business by offering business loans up to €250,000. Qredits also helps entrepreneurs to build their business skills through its coaching, e-learning and Academy services - making it one of the most innovative and forward-thinking Microfinance organizations in Europe. To date Qredits has delivered almost 17,000 loans totaling over €400 million, making it the largest alternative lender for entrepreneurs in the Netherlands. Currently it employs 100 professionals and works with 600 volunteer entrepreneurial coaches. Qredits is based in Almelo, and has offices in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Weert, Barneveld , Meppel, and the Dutch Antilles. It is a private foundation, founded by a group of public and private partners.