We invite you to apply for a postdoctoral researcher positions in labor economics, with an emphasis on the economics of crime. This position will be hosted in the Department of Economics at the University of Gothenburg, under the mentorship of Professor Randi Hjalmarsson. We also encourage you to apply for a second post-doc position, which will be hosted at Stockholm University, SOFI, under the mentorship of Professor Matthew Lindquist.
Both post-doctoral positions are three years in length and will be part of a team and research agenda funded by Professor Randi Hjalmarsson's European Research Council Advanced Grant program: “Breaking the Inequality-Crime Cycle: Biases in Police Decisions, 'What Works' in Prison, and Firm Demand for Workers with Criminal Records”.
Research Program Summary: Recruited post-docs will be expected to collaborate with Professor Hjalmarsson and/or Professor Lindquist on the ERC agenda on how to break the inequality-crime cycle. Economic inequality and segregation imply vastly unequal opportunities in many dimensions – the labor market, healthcare, informal networks, exposure to police – that can impact the chances of ending up in trouble with the law. Once caught in the justice system, it can be hard to break free, especially if a criminal record increases the barriers to employment. This cycle of crime and economic inequality can even be perpetuated across generations, if the impacts of a criminal record spill-over to an offender’s family members. This three-part agenda considers multiple points at which the cycle can potentially be broken, including (i) police decision making and the role of training, (ii) prison reforms and prison care, including healthcare, and (iii) the role of employment opportunities – or lack thereof – for individuals with criminal records. This final part will emphasize both the potential role of firm hiring decisions and offender informal networks.
Position details: The positions are research intensive, and successful candidates will be expected to engage in research within the scope of the project. There is minimal teaching. Post-docs may also be expected to collaborate with other team members, including Professor Matthew Lindquist (SOFI, Stockholm University), Associate Professor Anna Bindler (Cologne University), other post-docs, PhD students, and research assistants. Active participation in the departments’ research environments (e.g., seminar participation and organization) is expected. Finally, one can expect potential research visits with collaborators in Stockholm, UK, US, and Germany.
Qualifications: Candidates are expected to hold a PhD in Economics (or closely related subject) at the time the position starts. The ideal candidate will have a background in applied microeconomics, with research experience or interest in the economics of crime. Applicants with training in labor economics, experience working with large register data sets and collecting data from public agencies (especially in Sweden, the US, and UK), and demonstrated expertise with contemporary quasi-experimental research designs will be especially well qualified.
Interviews: First round interviews will be conducted remotely during December (tentatively December 11-15).
To inquire about the positions, please email:
Professor Randi Hjalmarsson, Gothenburg University, (randi.hjalmarsson@economics.gu.se)
Professor Matthew Lindquist, Stockholm University (matthew.lindquist@sofi.su.se ).
How to Apply:
Applications for these positions must be done via the recruitment platforms at the University of Gothenburg and Stockholm University. To be considered for both positions, you must apply to both positions. We strongly encourage you to do so.
Link to Gothenburg Ad: https://web103.reachmee.com/ext/I005/1035/job?site=7&lang=UK&validator=9b89bead79bb7258ad55c8d75228e5b7&job_id=p31560
Link to Stockholm Ad: https://www.su.se/english/about-the-university/work-at-su/available-jobs?rmpage=job&rmjob=22089&rmlang=UK
The following materials will be requested when applying:
- Cover letter
- CV
- Research Statement (max 2 pages)
- Job market paper
- One additional paper (optional)
- Three letters of recommendation: For the Gothenburg position, these should be sent directly by the letter writers following the instructions on the recruiting platforms