Applications are invited for the post of Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Economics. Two fixed-term (for 36 months) posts are available.
- Review for lectureship (assistant professorship) is negotiable at the time of contract.
We are looking for two highly motivated individuals to join the research project Social Mechanisms and Allocations led by the Principal Investigator (PI), Professor David Levine.
The main goal of this project is to study social mechanisms and their allocations. Social norms are crucial for groups to succeed: from political parties, to labour unions, to special interest groups, even to criminal gangs. Each of these groups faces a free-rider problem: it is in the interest of each individual in the group to let the others do the work of advancing the common interest. Norms are equally pivotal in persuading individuals not to engage in anti-social behaviour, from littering, to thievery, and worse, where again a divide appears between individual goals and larger interests.
The project has both theoretical and empirical focusses along with subject experiments. Proven research ability in economic theory or programming knowledge of Python or related languages are desirable. Moreover, data management skills and a high level of competence in econometrics and machine learning are desired. Experience in economic experiments would also be desirable. Most of all, the successful candidate will have a great enthusiasm to conduct research on this topic.
This is a project funded by the Leverhulme Trust. The successful candidate will work 1/3 time directly on the project and 2/3 of the time on individual grant related research.
The successful candidate will work closely with the PI, Professor David Levine (Economics), and the research team including: Professors Michael Mandler (Economics), Francesco Feri (Economics), Kostas Stathis (Computer Science) and Ryan McKay (Psychology). They are expected to engage as a full member of the research team contributing to the theoretical and/or empirical analysis of social norms and economic institutions, using theoretical models, simulations, and designing and coding economic experiments, analysing causal relations, assisting with the development of the project’s output, including the preparation of outputs for journal submission.
The successful candidate will possess as many as possible of the following:
- PhD (or near completion of) in relevant subject area (economics, including theory, computer science, mathematics / statistics, psychology, or related);
- Training in using key software, including Python, at advanced level is a plus;
- Demonstrable comprehensive experience of research in heterogenous agent modelling;
- Designing economic experiments, setting up and coding economic experiment using major online platforms;
- Experience of coding complex structural estimations, simulations;
- Experience with constructing research funding proposals;
- Ability to keep accurate records, strong communication skills, experience with interacting with research users and with researchers from related disciplines, and ability to work independently under regular supervision as well as within a team setting.
The post is based in Egham, Surrey, where the College is situated in a beautiful, leafy campus near to Windsor Great Park and within commuting distance from London. Meetings with the team will take place at Royal Holloway. It is expected that the successful candidate will work on campus. Economic experiments will be carried out in a dedicated lab of the Egham Campus. There might be the possibility to use facilities in Central London based on project requirements.
To apply, please use the following link:
https://jobs.royalholloway.ac.uk/Vacancy.aspx?ref=0123-003
To view further details of this post please visit https://jobs.royalholloway.ac.uk. The Human Resources Department can be contacted with queries by email at: recruitment[at]rhul.ac.uk