PhD Position in Economics

University of Amsterdam

Institution: University of Amsterdam (UvA), Amsterdam Business School

Faculty: Economics and Business

Contract Type: Full-time PhD (38 hours/week)

Duration: 4 years (with 18-month probationary period)

Salary: €3,059 – €3,881 gross/month + 8% holiday allowance + 8.3% year-end bonus

Application Deadline: 31 March 2026

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Project Overview

• Develop optimization methods to improve the design of tax systems in the Netherlands and internationally.
• Work on TaxSolver, a tool developed with the Dutch Ministry of Finance, focusing on:
  • Scaling to national datasets
  • Integrating deductibles and behavioral effects
  • Multi-year reform planning
  • Joint optimization of rates and brackets
• Collaborate with the Dutch Ministry of Finance, UK Tax Authority, and World Bank.
• Present research at international conferences and publish in top-tier journals.
• Assist with teaching activities, including MSc tutorials and thesis supervision.
• Potential research visits to MIT and London Business School (LBS).

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Candidate Requirements

• Master’s degree in Business Analytics, Econometrics, Mathematics, or related field with strong background in Optimization.
• Programming skills, ideally Python.
• Strong communication skills in English.
• Motivation for an international academic career and interest in economics/taxation.
• Intellectual curiosity, openness to feedback, and collaborative skills.

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Benefits

• Internationally collaborative and impactful project.
• Supervision by an expert team with experience publishing in top-tier journals.
• Opportunities for professional development and research visits abroad.
• Vibrant, international working environment in Amsterdam.
• UvA offers additional benefits: 29 days’ holiday, pension accrual, excellent work-from-home facilities, commuting reimbursement, and training opportunities.

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How to Apply

• Submit cover letter and CV as PDF via the UvA application link.
• Contact for questions: Dick den Hertog – d.den.hertog@uva.nl
• First-round interviews: April–May 2026.

Apply