The School of Business and Economics (SBE) of Maastricht University offers a 4-year PhD candidate positions for students with a (Research) Master degree or equivalent.

We offer a dynamic and challenging job in an internationally oriented organisation where students receive an advanced education and scholars conduct exciting research. The PhD candidates will have the unique opportunity to carry out research within the Research Themes and Centres of Expertise within the research programme at the Graduate School of Business and Economics (GSBE) and will contribute to the development and outreach of its research. The candidate will be part of an international network of top universities and renowned scholars within the field.

We are seeking candidates who are interested in joining the Human Decisions and Policy Design group, and who are thus especially interested in decision making and the implications for policy design: What role do emotions play in the decisions we make every day? Can “choice architecture” nudge consumers into selecting the best-value, healthiest or most suitable options? As society ages, can we expect our pensions to remain secure? How to maximize welfare in social media? How do incentives affect management behavior in private companies, regulatory authorities and banks? What is the most effective way to provide public services? Should the world’s wealth be redistributed more equitably – and if so, how and to what extent? Answering challenging questions such as these advance theory and provide a solid empirical basis for policy design.

PhD students within the Human Decisions and Policy Design group can make use of all research facilities offered by the school. These include a fully equipped research lab (30 partially enclosed cubicles), a virtual store, eye tracking material, etc. Furthermore, the group has an extensive collaboration with the Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, offering the opportunity to engage in neuroscientific research (using fMRI, TMS, etc). 

Are you self-motivated, curious and interested in research? Do you have a record of high academic achievement (e.g. good grades and/or involvement in other academic activities) and the skills required to become an excellent researcher in the field of your choice? If so, than a PhD position at SBE might be the challenge you are looking for.

Remuneration will be according to standard salary levels for PhD students starting with a salary of €2.325 with a yearly growth to € 2.972 gross a month (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% of the yearly gross income.

You have to be willing to move to (the vicinity of) Maastricht. If you do not already live in Maastricht (or its direct surroundings), you will be eligible for an allowance for moving costs.

Other secondary employment conditions might apply such as a pension scheme, a corporate fitness plan, a bicycle scheme, 232 hours of yearly leave hours, 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 http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl > Support > UM employees.

Maastricht University

Maastricht University is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterized by a small-scale and student-oriented approach. Research at UM is characterized by a multidisciplinary and thematic approach, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools. Maastricht University has around 18,000 students and 4,300 employees. Reflecting the university's strong international profile, a fair amount of both students and staff are from abroad. The university hosts 6 faculties: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of Law, School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience. For more information, see http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/

School of Business and Economics

SBE is one of the youngest Faculties of Business and Economics in the Netherlands. It has a distinctive international profile and is Triple Crown accredited. It provides high-quality education and conducts excellent research with an international perspective. SBE strongly believes in creating close collaborations with its academic partners and societal stakeholders, its students and alumni, and with businesses and organisations in the Limburg Euregion, the Netherlands, Europe and the rest of the world. For more information, see https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/about-um/faculties/school-business-and-economics