This PhD position is part of a joint research project with Wageningen University and is sponsored by the TKI Agri & Food (AF18060) in collaboration with leading Dutch retailers. The grant involves two PhD positions, one behavioural position at Wageningen University (info: hans.vantrijp@wur.nl) and one econometric position at the University of Groningen, the combination of which yields unique opportunities to benefit from each other’s knowledge, expertise, and generated insights. It also offers opportunities to combine controlled experimental lab studies with ecologically valid field studies that yield unique purchase data from leading retailers.

For the position in Groningen, we are looking for a candidate with an econometric or other quantitative background and interests in marketing. The project entails the analysis of shopping-basket level purchase data to assess the effectiveness of transparency interventions increasing the healthiness and sustainability of grocery products bought by consumers.

From both a societal and individual perspective, the call to facilitate healthy and sustainable food choices while shopping for groceries is growing. Although information for making healthy and sustainable purchases is available at the point of purchase, the information generally does not meet all criteria for transparency – disclosure, clarity, and accuracy, making it complex and complicated for consumers to make informed healthy and sustainable choices. The objective of this research project is to build and test the effectiveness of a decision-support system—a system of scientifically substantiated and validated algorithms and decision rules—in support of consumers interested to make healthy and sustainable choices when shopping for groceries.

The project will be embedded in SOM’s research programme in Marketing https://www.rug.nl/research/marketing/

We are looking for applicants with a Master of Science degree. In particular, we encourage quantitative-oriented students with a background in statistics, econometrics, data science or marketing intelligence to apply.

Fixed-term contract: 48 months.

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

• a salary starting from €2,325 which increases yearly to a maximum of €2,972 gross per month for a full-time working week
• a holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income in May
• an 8.3% end-of-the-year allowance in December
• a full-time temporary appointment for a period of in principle four years, under the condition of a positive assessment at the end of the first year.

Starting date: 1 September 2019.

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

How to apply
If you are interested, we invite you to apply until 26 May 11.59pm / before 27 May 2019 (CEST). Please click on the "Apply" button below.

The application package consists of the following separate documents:
1. your cv (CV attachment)
2. a motivation letter (1 A4 max) (letter of motivation attachment)
3. a scan of your diploma including transcripts (extra attachment)
4. proof of English proficiency (extra attachment 2)
5. other relevant documents (extra attachment 3).

The documents 1-4 are compulsory and please note that incomplete application packages will not be taken into account.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our University. We are committed to building a diverse faculty so you are encouraged to apply. Our selection procedure follows the guidelines of the Recruitment code (NVP), https://nvp-plaza.nl/download/?id=7714 and European Commission's European Code of Conduct for recruitment of researchers, https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/charter/code

Unsolicited marketing is not appreciated.

Faculty of Economics and Business

Since its foundation in 1614, the University of Groningen has enjoyed an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative centre 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.

Faculty of Economics and Business
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.

SOM, the graduate school and research institute of the Faculty of Economics and Business has available

One PhD position in the field of:
Modelling the effect of transparency interventions on in-store decision-making