Since its foundation in 1614, the University of Groningen has enjoyed an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative center of higher education offering high-quality teaching and research. Belonging to the best research universities of Europe and joining forces with prestigious partner universities and networks, the University of Groningen is truly an international place of knowledge.

The Faculty of Economics and Business offers an inspiring study and working environment for students and employees. International accreditation enables the Faculty to assess performance against the highest international standards. It also creates an exciting environment of continuous improvement. FEB's programmes, academic staff and research do well on various excellence ranking lists.

FEBRI, the graduate school and research institute of the Faculty of Economics and Business has available one PhD position in the field of “Fiscal federalism and partial fiscal decentralization”

Subnational governments (e.g. municipalities and provinces) are increasingly recognized as critical players in addressing the grand challenges of our time, such as climate change and an ageing population. In this PhD position, you will delve into the divide between theoretical ideals and practical realities of the Dutch system in the division of fiscal responsibilities and resources between different levels of government. The textbook fiscal federalism case concerns a federation, where subnational governments enjoy full revenue raising and spending autonomy, with intergovernmental transfers only in case of externalities as well as sufficient mobility ensuring sorting by preferences, resulting in an efficient provision of public goods. In practice, we find that low mobility, limited local autonomy, fiscal equalization, and bailouts result in problems of transparency, accountability, principal-agent relationships, flypaper effects, moral hazard, and more. In this PhD position, you will contribute to bridging that gap between theory and practice through empirical and theoretical research within the Dutch context.

The PhD position is embedded in the research programme Economics, Econometrics & Finance of FEB’s Research Institute. The project will be supervised by prof. dr. Maarten Allers and dr. Dylan Jong.

The ideal candidate is ambitious, highly motivated and wishes to make a career in research. You have a thorough training in research skills, are fluent in English and Dutch and have obtained excellent results in the master phase.

The PhD candidate should have a background (MSc, research master) in Economics or a related field (e.g., Public Administration, Political Science).

Fixed-term contract: 12 months.

We offer you in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:

- a full-time appointment is temporary for a period of four years, under the condition of a positive assessment at the end of the first year.
- the gross monthly salary is € 2770 euro, which increases yearly to a maximum of € 3539., based on the gross salary
- you will receive an additional 8% holiday allowance each year in May, and an additional 8.3 % end of year bonus in December
- PhD candidates contribute 20% of their time to teaching in years 2-4.

Starting date: Preferably per September 1, 2024.

An assessment may be part of the procedure, consisting of psychological tests and an interview.

For more general information
febphdvacancies@rug.nl

For more information on this specific project you may contact Maarten Allers
m.a.allers@rug.nl