1 PhD or 1 Postdoc position on the project 'How the flexibility of the Dutch educational system affects educational outcomes' at the Research Centre for Education and the Labour Market (ROA) of Maastricht University's School of Business and Economics

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Research Centre for Education and the Labour Market (ROA) of Maastricht University's School of Business and Economics is seeking to appoint one PhD-candidate or one Postdoc on the project: How the flexibility of the Dutch educational system affects educational outcomes. The candidates should have a solid understanding of quantitative methods, and a strong background in quantitative social science (such as Sociology, Economics, Econometrics, Educational Studies or a related discipline). The candidates will be part of an energetic multidisciplinary research group, specialized in the effects of system and school characteristics on educational careers.

The PhD candidate or Postdoc will work in a team that consists of Prof. Dr. Rolf van der Velden (ROA: project coordinator and supervisor), Prof. Dinand Webbink (Erasmus School of Economics: supervisor), Dr. Barbara Belfi (ROA: team member), MSc Per Bles (ROA: PhD candidate on second subproject), Dr. Roxanne Korthals (Inspectorate of Education: team
member), Dr. Mark Levels (ROA: team member) and Dr. Katarina Wessling (postdoc on first subproject).

Candidates for the PhD or Postdoc position are expected to complete studies that will be published in leading peer-reviewed journals.

ROA is a leading research institute of the School of Business and Economics at Maastricht University. ROA intends to make a significant contribution to both academic and societal discussions on the effects of human capital on the performance of individuals, firms and societies as a whole.

ROA offers unique research opportunities by its involvement in the National Education Panel Study (www.nationaalcohortonderzoek.nl), the international adult literacy survey PIAAC, the national school-leaver surveys (HBO-Monitor, MBO-Monitor, VO-Monitor), the international graduate surveys REFLEX and HEGESCO, ROA's Life-long Learning survey and a linked employer-employee panel in the Dutch public sector. ROA also has in-house access to many Dutch administrative data sets provided by Statistics Netherlands. Strong ties with policy makers at the national and international level ensure societal relevance of ROA's research.

REQUIREMENTS

Candidates will be judged on the basis of the requirements outlined below. To be considered, candidates should make sure that their application letter demonstrates how they meet these requirements:

For the PhD: Successful completion of an MPhil or MSc degree in a quantitative social scientific discipline (such as Sociology, Economics, Econometrics, Educational Studies or related discipline), or the expected completion of such a degree within the next 3 months.

For the Postdoc: Successful completion of a PhD degree in a quantitative social scientific discipline (such as Sociology, Economics, Econometrics, Educational Studies or related discipline), or the expected completion of such a degree within the next 3 months.

Advanced skills in research design and relevant quantitative analysis, as demonstrated in education and/or work so far.

Strong analytical capacity.

Affinity with work in an interdisciplinary and international environment.

Flexible, pro-active, independent but also motivated to work in a team.

Excellent proficiency in English (working language).

Outstanding organizational, verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.

Willingness to relocate to (the vicinity of) Maastricht.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Salary scale:

PhD (CAO-NU) PhD scale: EUR 2.266,00 - EUR 2.897,00 gross per month.

Postdoc (CAO-NU) not holding a PhD will start as a "Onderzoeker 4", depending on relevant work experience: EUR 2.640,00 - EUR 3.425,00.

Candidates who hold a PhD will start as a "Onderzoeker 3", depending on relevant work experience with a max in scale 11: EUR 4.852,00.

The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). Furthermore, local UM provisions also apply. For more information look at the website www.maastrichtuniversity.nl .

EMPLOYER

Maastricht University is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterized by a small-scale and student-oriented approach. Research at UM is characterized by a multidisciplinary and thematic approach, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools. Maastricht University has around 16,300 students and 4,300 employees. Reflecting the university's strong international profile, a fair amount of both students and staff are from abroad. The university hosts 6 faculties: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of Law, School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience.

School of Business and Economics (SBE)

SBE is the youngest economics and business faculty in the Netherlands with a distinctively international profile. It belongs to the 1% of business schools worldwide to be triple-crown accredited (EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA). SBE strongly believes in close connections with its academic partners and societal stakeholders, with its students and alumni, and with businesses and organisations in the Limburg Euregion, the Netherlands, Europe and the rest of the world. SBE is committed to increasing the gender diversity of its academic community and wants to
stimulate the creation of a more diverse and inclusive community. See also: http://www.mysbe.nl/elinor-ostrom-research-grant-programme/

http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/

DEPARTMENT

The Research Centre for Education and the Labour Market (ROA) is a research institute of the Maastricht University School of Business and Economics, established in 1986. Through its research, the institute aims to improve the understanding of the relationship between education and the labour market. The overarching research theme of ROA is the acquisition and depreciation of human capital over the life course in relation to the dynamics of the labour market. This is studied in four different programmes:

Education and Occupational Career 
Training and Employment

Dynamics of the Labour Market

Human Capital in the Region

The first two programmes take education and training as point of departure and look at outcomes at the individual and organizational level. These programmes represent ROA's focus on Education. The last two programmes take national and regional labour markets as point of departure and focus on individual and firm behavior, and the interaction between the two. These programmes represent ROA's focus on the Labour market.

In these fields ROA contributes to both the academic literature and the public debate on education and labour market issues. ROA's research activities are being carried out and supported by a dedicated scientific and support staff, consisting of about 40 employees.

http://www.roa.nl/

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from: Prof. dr. R. van der Velden, telephone number: +31 (0)43-3883647, e-mail address:
r.vandervelden@maastrichtuniversity.nl .

Additional information about ROA can be obtained from: http://www.roa.nl

You can send your resumé and motivation letter before 21 September 2018 to recruitment-sbe@maastrichtuniversity.nl . Please mention the vacancy number in the subject.