Advertiser: Nova School of Business and Economics, Universidade Nova de Lisboa

Field(s) of specialization: Development; Growth - Labor; Demographic Economics - Political Economy - Applied microeconomics

Position type(s): Other academic

Location of job: Rua da Holanda, 1, Campus de Carcavelos, Cascais, Carcavelos, 2775-405, Portugal

Degree required: Doctorate

Job start date: Flexible

Job duration: Continuing/permanent

Letters of reference required: 3

Application deadline: 15 Dec 2026 midnight UTC (accepting applications)

Posting end date: 16 Dec 2026

Ad text:

Position description

Nova School of Business and Economics (Nova SBE) invites applications for a two-year postdoctoral research position funded by the European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant project Gang Crackdowns: Labour Mobility, Development, and Discrimination in Post-Gang El Salvador (CRACKDOWNS), led by Professor Nikita Melnikov.

The project studies how societies change after the sudden dismantling of criminal governance, using El Salvador’s 2022 gang crackdowns as a rare natural experiment. It examines which consequences of criminal governance disappear quickly, which persist, and whether new barriers emerge.

The successful candidate will work closely with Professor Melnikov on the empirical implementation of the project. Responsibilities will include preparing and analysing administrative and survey data, contributing to the design and implementation of surveys and experiments, conducting econometric analyses, and contributing to research papers. The position offers an opportunity to participate in a large-scale empirical research project combining unique administrative datasets, original fieldwork, and experimental and quasi-experimental research designs.

Candidate profile

Applicants should have a PhD in Economics and a strong background in applied microeconomics, ideally with a focus on developing countries. Excellent quantitative and econometric skills are essential.

Experience with experimental or quasi-experimental methods, administrative data, spatial analysis, and the design and implementation of surveys and field experiments would be particularly valuable. Familiarity with research on crime, labour markets, and economic development in Latin America would be an advantage, but is not required.

We are looking for intellectually curious, detail-oriented researchers with strong analytical skills who are comfortable working both independently and as part of a team.

Working conditions

The position is full-time, with a preferred duration of two years, although both the duration and starting date are negotiable. The successful candidate will be based at Nova SBE’s Carcavelos campus, near Lisbon, Portugal.

Nova SBE provides an international research environment in economics, finance, and management. English is the working language of the school, and knowledge of Portuguese is not required.

Application procedure

Applications should be submitted through EconJobMarket and must include:

1. A cover letter describing the applicant’s research interests, relevant experience, and motivation for joining the CRACKDOWNS project;

2. A detailed curriculum vitae;

3. Three letters of recommendation.

Application deadline: 15 December 2026.

Early applications are encouraged. Interviews will be conducted remotely by video.

For enquiries about the position, please contact Professor Nikita Melnikov at nikita.melnikov@novasbe.pt