The researcher will work on projects examining the impacts of public policies on research and development, innovation, and growth. The work may also include topics in the intersections of innovation, labor market, and education research, and studies on inventors, scientists, and talent allocation, depending on the focus of candidate’s research. The job start date is 1.1.2026 or as agreed.
The main role of the researcher is to contribute to the institute’s research on innovation and growth, aiming for high-quality journal publications and policy impact. The position entails work as part of a research team as well as independent research work (e.g., work on candidate’s ongoing research project, such as finalizing a thesis chapter or job market paper). The work also includes developing the research agenda of the research area, dissemination of research results to wider audience, and other analysis and expert work to support the preparation and assessment of public policies in the candidate’s area of expertise. There is no teaching obligation.
We offer a vibrant research environment centered around the Economicum campus, bringing together research activities and seminars of VATT Institute and three Economics departments in Helsinki (University of Helsinki, Hanken School of Economics, and Aalto University). Post-doc research is supported by international work community and access to extensive research and data infrastructure, including population registers on firms, workers, and inventors.
This position is part of the Finnish Postdoctoral Programme for Research Institutes. The Programme has been granted 40 million euros from the Finnish government's multi-annual research and development (R&D) funding plan. This funding enables recruitment of 85 PhD-level experts to 12 Finnish government research institutes between 2025 and 2028. The aim of the Programme is to strengthen research, development, and innovation competence in areas important to society. Postdoctoral researcher will conduct goal-oriented high-level research at the interface between the academic community, industry, and administration. The Programme supports postdoctoral researcher’s networking and mobility between sectors.
Our expectations of the applicant
A successful candidate
• has completed or is close to completing a doctoral degree in economics
• has strong skills and experience in applied economic research and microeconometric methods
• is able to work both as part of a team and independently in a target-oriented manner
• has ambition to develop own long-term research agenda and become an active member of the research community
• is highly proficient in written and spoken English.
• has prior experience, demonstrated with own or co-authored work (a job market paper, working paper, or research article), in research on public policies for research and development, innovation, or growth; on industrial policies; or on other topics in economics of innovation and science, including labor market and education research with a clear link to innovation or science.
Applications
The application must include a cover letter, research paper (e.g, a job market paper), curriculum vitae, and 1-2 reference letters. Optional materials may include an additional paper or video presentation of job market or other paper. Include in the cover letter information on the earliest feasible start date.
The letter of recommendation can be attached to the application or the writer of the letter can send it to the following email addresses: elias.einio@vatt.fi and kirjaamo@vatt.fi. The title of the email should be named: Letter of recommendation_ VATT/335/01.05.05/2025
Please send applications by October 15, 2025. We will interview selected candidates online or on-site in October and November, 2025.
We request applicants to submit their applications electronically via the EconJobMarket.org. Applications may also be delivered to the VATT Registry Office’s postal address. Please include on the envelope a text reference “RDI postdoc”. The letter must be delivered by the application deadline.
VATT registry
PL 1279
00101 Helsinki, Finland
Organisation
VATT is a publicly funded, independent economics research institute conducting high-quality academic research to promote evidence-based decision-making. A key area of our work is evaluation of policies on individuals, households, and firms. We hold an extensive research infrastructure, incorporating large-scale register data and profound knowledge on institutions and economic theory.
VATT also provides expertise to support decision-making and assessment of economic policies. Our researchers are sought after experts for parliamentary committee hearings, expert working groups, and media. VATT cooperates actively with the Helsinki Graduate School of Economics in research and teaching.
Contact Information
Elias Einiö
Chief Researcher
+ 358 295 519 408
elias.einio@vatt.fi
Clarifications
Some additional details to fulfill legal requirements of a recruitment in a public research institute:
A minimum requirement for the position is a completed master’s degree. Probationary period of 6 months is a default. The contract is done with the institute rather than the research area (this does not affect the nature or expected focus of work, as described in this job advertisement). The position is fixed-term due to the nature of the work and three-year funding from the Postdoctoral Programme in Research Institutes.
- Curriculum vitae
- Job market paper
- Additional paper (optional)
- Additional paper (optional)
- Contact information for references (optional)
- Cover letter
- Video presentation of job market paper (optional)
- Letters of reference: 1