Call for PhD applicants in Economics and Social Sciences (f/m) - Ref: 24-28

The Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER)

calls for

PhD applicants

in Economics and Social Sciences (f/m) – Ref: 24-28

LISER is looking for motivated and highly qualified candidates who are interested to develop and submit, with the help of our supervisors, an application for an individual AFR PhD grant funded by the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR).

We particularly welcome applicants who would like to develop a PhD project along the research areas listed below, in collaboration between LISER, the University of Luxembourg or other universities abroad:

1) Modelling climate migration at the detailed geographic level and its evolution over time

(Supervisors: Prof. Christina Gathmann, Dr. Michal Burzynski)

The project intends to develop state-of-the-art spatial models of the world economy, with a focus on climate-induced migration. Using pixelated data on economic, demographic and climatic factors, the goal of this project is to analyze future mitigation and adaptation policies, as well as to quantify their economic and migratory consequences over the 21st century. Through a close collaboration with the United Nations, The World Bank and European Institutions, this project offers a unique exposure to high-level policy discussions, and supporting decision makers with quantitative findings from climate-migration models.

2) Modeling AI and the green transition in the labor market: workers’ sorting across occupations and sectors, migration and welfare

(Supervisors: Prof. Christina Gathmann, Dr. Joël Machado)

Extend a theoretical framework to model sorting of workers across occupations and sectors which can be applied to study current structural transitions, including technological changes, artificial intelligence, climate change, and green transitions.

3) Access to health care for vulnerable populations

(Supervisor: Dr. Valerie Moran)

Access to health care is a key dimension of high performing health systems. The entitlement to timely access to good quality affordable health care is enshrined in the European Pillar of Social Rights. Previous studies investigating access to health care using survey data have mainly focused on the general population. Findings show that certain population groups are at higher risk of not being able to access health care. These include women, immigrants, and people with poorer health, and lower socio-economic status. There is scope to build on previous research by undertaking in-depth analyses of access to health care for these vulnerable population groups. This research could draw on existing administrative and survey data. There is also potential to undertake primary data collection to investigate access to health care for populations who are not included in administrative or survey data. Depending on the research question(s), a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative and qualitative methods could be adopted.

4) Attitudes and beliefs about redistribution, inequality and taxation (particularly inheritance taxes)

(Supervisor: Prof. Javier Olivera)

The research agenda is focused on the study of preferences and beliefs about economic redistribution and fairness. It will examine how these are formed and influenced by other underlying variables, as well as how they interact with perceptions of economic inequality and informational biases. Various methods can be proposed to explain the mental map that people have about redistributive policies, including online survey experiments, lab experiments, text analysis and exploitation of observational datasets. The research project may include an important component assessing the support for policies taxing inheritances and financial gifts.

5) Economic and social inclusion for people with disabilities

(Supervisor: Prof. Marc Suhrcke)

The proposed broad research agenda seeks to address a critical aspect of modern societies: ensuring that individuals with disabilities are fully integrated into economic and social frameworks. This field is highly relevant as it encompasses the evaluation of policies, practices, and initiatives aimed at fostering inclusion in both the labour market and broader social settings. Despite advancements in disability rights and accessibility, significant gaps remain in understanding how these measures translate into tangible outcomes. From assessing the impact of inclusive education and personalized assistance to scrutinizing the role of sheltered workshops and public infrastructure, research in this area helps identify barriers, best practices, and effective strategies. By analysing these dimensions from economic, social, and policy perspectives, this topic contributes to creating equitable opportunities and enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities, aligning with international commitments like the UNCRPD.

Your profile

• You should have (or expect to achieve) a Master degree in economics, sociology or other social or data science disciplines;
• Excellent verbal communication and academic writing skills in English;
• Enthusiasm for research and critical thinking.

LISER particularly encourages female candidates to apply

Our offer

For successful AFR applicants, we offer:

• An exciting multi-disciplinary and international research environment with ample opportunities to exchange with scholars from related disciplines at both LISER and the University of Luxembourg;
• A highly competitive remuneration for a full-time PhD position according to the Collective Labour Agreement in force and an employment contract at LISER for a period of maximum 4 consecutive years (3+1 years);
• A package of mentoring, training and career development as well as access to a wide range of courses and seminars, including language courses, offered by LISER and the University of Luxembourg;
• Flexibility in the organisation of the working hours and the possibility of teleworking;
• 32.5 days of annual leave for a full-time contract.

Doctoral candidates are encouraged to actively engage in disciplinary, interdisciplinary as well as transferable skills trainings and to develop their scientific profile and network through participation in high-level international conferences.

Application process

Please submit your complete application via https://jobs.liser.lu/jobs including:

• a detailed CV;
• a cover letter outlining your thematic interest, motivation and suitability for the PhD project(s) of your choice (please select up to 3 project and rank them);
• a relevant written document (e.g. a working paper, a chapter from your MA/MSc thesis, a seminar paper);
• copy of relevant diplomas and transcripts;
• 2 reference letters from academic referees (to be uploaded with your online application).

Deadline for applications: January 5th, 2025 at midnight CET.

The shortlisted candidates will be invited for virtual interviews in January 2025.

The deadline for submitting the AFR grant applications is set to March 12th, 2025 at 14:00 CET (tbc).

The applicants will be informed by July 2025 whether the application has been accepted for funding.

For administrative and recruitment matters, please contact Mrs Vanya KIROVA at recruitment@liser.lu

Why LISER?

LISER is a publicly funded research institute located in Luxembourg, devoted to applied empirical research in the economic, social and spatial sciences. The institute is located on the Belval campus in the south of Luxembourg (Cité des Sciences, Luxembourg), which hosts the University of Luxembourg and a substantial part of the country’s publicly funded research facilities, i.e. LISER, the Luxembourg Income Study (LIS) cross-national data centre, the Luxembourg institutes of Health (LIH) and of Science and Technology (LIST). 

Interdisciplinarity is a key element for stimulating scientific innovation. Research at LISER addresses current and future societal challenges and delivers relevant and independent societal impact and policy advice both at the national and European levels. The institute attracts researchers from all over the world, and delivers high-level doctoral training. The institute‘s staff consists of about 200 employees, 110 of which are researchers active in the fields of economics, sociology, and geography. Information on research in Luxembourg is accessible via the national EURAXESS platform.

LISER also hosts several Competence Centers. The Centre of Competence for Data Science and Simulation (DSS) is a cross-departmental initiative aiming to develop LISER’s infrastructure, tools and methods to build up skills in machine learning, big data methods, micro-simulation, etc. to develop top standards capacity to work with data both for research and policy work.

The Competence Centre in Experimental and Participatory Research (EXPAR) aims to improve awareness of and skills in experimental and participatory research methods to strengthen LISER’s position at the forefront of internationally high quality, scientifically rigorous and societally relevant research.

Beyond its established departments and competence centres, the Institute invests in several interdisciplinary research fields such as health, migration and cross-border related research.

LISER is an Equal Opportunity Employer