The department of Economics at Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics (USBE) is looking for a post-doctoral researcher in Economics to work on the economics of pandemic preparedness, (3 years, full time). Apply January 5, 2024, at the latest.
The department of Economics has a broad research tradition, where the main research areas are Applied Microeconomics, Environmental Economics, Labor Economics and Public Economics. Four themes are central to our research: (i) economic policy and behavioral economics; (ii) economic policy and the labor market; (iii) sustainable development; and (iv) economic policy and fiscal federalism. The research touches on a broad set of topics including optimal taxation and public expenditure, income formation, household responses to taxation, social accounting, education policy, local public economics, environmental policy, and interactions between energy and the environment. Other active research areas are Econometrics and Health Economics. The department is also the host institution for the Erik Kempe Award in Environmental and Resource Economics.
Background
The department of Economics at USBE and the Jameel Institute for Disease and Emergency Analytics at Imperial College London are collaborating on the world’s first initiative on integrated epidemiological-economic modelling of pandemic preparedness - the Jameel Institute-Kenneth C. Griffin Initiative for the Economics of Pandemic Preparedness (EPPI). This brings together economists, epidemiologists, econometricians and data modellers from at Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics, the School of Public Health and the Business School at Imperial College London, the Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science at the London School of Economics, the World Health Organisation and Singapore’s Programme for Research in Epidemic Preparedness and Response (PREPARE), and National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID).
The initiative will use pioneering integrated economic-epidemiological modelling to provide critical data and analysis to inform public health decisions related to pandemic preparedness around the world.
Post-doctoral position
The successful candidate is expected to work on the interrelation between pandemics and economics to improve integrated economic-epidemiological modelling to understand and project the societal costs of past and potential future pandemics, the cost and benefits of interventions to contain infections and reduce economic and educational losses, and the return-on-investment to pandemic preparedness.
The ideal candidate will have:
- Conceptual/ theoretical knowledge in economics to identify and develop the impact of pandemic on the economy and ability to model these.
- Experience in developing economic models. Proven ability, skills and knowledge in advanced mathematical modelling and/ or econometrics, and one or several programming languages.
- Prior experience in or willingness to acquire skills in mathematical modelling of infectious disease transmission to a level that will enable collaboration with theoretical economists and epidemiological modelers.
- Initiative and independence in research conceptualization and implementation.
- Willingness and ability to work in interdisciplinary teams.
The successful candidate will be based at the department of Economics at USBE with day-to-day supervision being provided by Professor Giovanni Forchini (Umeå) and Professor <a name="_Hlk151628061"></a>Katharina Hauck (Imperial College).
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
- Work as part of an international multidisciplinary research team.
- Lead on developing a conceptual understanding of the economic effects of a pandemic.
- Work closely with the EPPI modelling team to improve the economic components of the public online dashboard modelling calculating the return-on-investment to pandemic preparedness for 150+ countries.
- Work closely with the EPPI modelling team on the scientific development of economic-epidemiological models. Contribute to the development of mathematical models of infectious disease transmission incorporating economic behavior and consequences.
- Conduct econometric and statistical analyses on the interrelation between economics and epidemiology.
- Data and evidence gathering including literature reviews, survey design and implementation.
- Drafting academic papers along with policy briefs, and reports on the progress of the work.
- Support national and international decision makers in pandemic preparedness and response with data analytics and modelling, including real-time modelling (if required).
- Potentiate research translation by contributing to establishing an international collaborative network of academics, policy makers, international organizations, and practitioners whose mission is to advocate for the integration of economics in the implementation of pandemic preparedness initiatives.
- Present results to a variety of audiences including research funders, academics, and policy makers, at seminars, national and international conferences.
- Lead on and contribute to academic papers from your research, which will be published in leading international journals (in economics, public health, and general science).
Other Activities:
- To participate on the day-to-day research activities of the department of Economics at USBE.
- To attend relevant meetings of the EPPI project.
- To undertake any necessary training and/or development to equip you with the tools and ability to conduct the required research.
- To travel internationally for workshops, conference, and to visit project partners.
Starting Date: April 1, 2024, or later by agreement.
Eligibility requirements
The applicant shall have a PhD. in Economics, or in a related area before starting the position. Priority will be given to candidates who have completed their doctoral degree no more than three years before the closing date of the application. Candidates that have not yet defended their dissertation when applying are required to have successfully defended their dissertation before starting the position. A candidate who has completed their degree before three years may be considered if special circumstances apply. Special circumstances include absence due to illness, parental leave, appointments of trust in trade unions or similar circumstances. We appreciate an equal gender balance and particularly welcome female applicants for the position.
Assessment criteria:
- Demonstrated ability to conduct relevant research of high international quality.
- A promising publication record.
- Willingness to collaborate on research activities in economics in an international research environment.
The primary basis for selection will be the ability to carry out and publish high-quality research in economics and to contribute to the research environment of the department of economics.
Application The application should be written in English and include the following components:
- Cover sheet with contact information.
- Curriculum Vitae.
- Copies of original degree certificates.
- Description of previous research experience (1-2 pages).
- Description of future research plans, (1-2 pages).
- Names and contact details of at least two personal references.
- Publication list.
- Selected research articles (maximum 5).
A complete application must be submitted on the University recruitment system no later than January 5, 2024.
Information For more information about the Post-doctoral position, please contact Professor Giovanni Forchini, giovanni.forchini@umu.se, telephone +46 (0)90 786 7876.
We will be present at the virtual 3rd European Job Market meeting for Economists, held between December 11 and December 14, 2023.
More about Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics (USBE)
As an internationally respected, nationally influential, and regionally rooted part of Umeå University, Umeå School of Business, Economics, and Statistics contributes to societal development through education and research of a high international standard.