PhD Position in Economics

University of Amsterdam

Institution: University of Amsterdam (UvA), Amsterdam Business School
Faculty: Economics and Business
Contract Type: Full-time PhD (38 hours/week)
Duration: 4 years (with 18-month probationary period)
Salary: €3,059 – €3,881 gross/month + 8% holiday allowance + 8.3% year-end bonus
Application Deadline: 31 March 2026

Project Overview

  • Develop optimization methods to improve the design of tax systems in the Netherlands and internationally.

  • Work on TaxSolver, a tool developed with the Dutch Ministry of Finance, focusing on:

    • Scaling to national datasets

    • Integrating deductibles and behavioral effects

    • Multi-year reform planning

    • Joint optimization of rates and brackets

  • Collaborate with the Dutch Ministry of Finance, UK Tax Authority, and World Bank.

  • Present research at international conferences and publish in top-tier journals.

  • Assist with teaching activities, including MSc tutorials and thesis supervision.

  • Potential research visits to MIT and London Business School (LBS).

Candidate Requirements

  • Master’s degree in Business Analytics, Econometrics, Mathematics, or related field with strong background in Optimization.

  • Programming skills, ideally Python.

  • Strong communication skills in English.

  • Motivation for an international academic career and interest in economics/taxation.

  • Intellectual curiosity, openness to feedback, and collaborative skills.

Benefits

  • Internationally collaborative and impactful project.

  • Supervision by an expert team with experience publishing in top-tier journals.

  • Opportunities for professional development and research visits abroad.

  • Vibrant, international working environment in Amsterdam.

  • UvA offers additional benefits: 29 days’ holiday, pension accrual, excellent work-from-home facilities, commuting reimbursement, and training opportunities.

How to Apply

  • Submit cover letter and CV as PDF via the UvA application link.

  • Contact for questions: Dick den Hertog – [email protected]

  • First-round interviews: April–May 2026.

Apply