Post-doc in Environmental Economics

A Postdoctoral Fellow position is available at the Department of Spatial Economics at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, starting in Fall 2025. Are you interested? Please apply at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Jouw functie

The Department of Spatial Economics at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam invites applications for a Horizon Europe-funded postdoc position in the field of water resources economics.

With 20 partner institutions, this project focuses on using nature-based solutions (NBS) to enhance climate resilience in water management, particularly in addressing droughts. The postdoctoral researcher will contribute to the economic aspects of NBS implementation, with the primary focus on the design of contractual mechanisms to incentivize the adoption of NBS by landowners. Contract design is based on the combined use of theoretical micro-economic models, simulations, and economic (lab/field) experiments. The research will integrate insights from economic theory, institutional arrangements, and empirical data from demonstration sites across Europe to develop tailored economic models for water resource management.

The postdoc will work closely with Dr. Erik Ansink at VU and with partner institutions to bridge economic analysis with governance and policy aspects of water management. The role includes engagement with stakeholders to co-design effective contracts in order to ensure their applicability in each project demonstration site.

Jouw profiel

The potential candidate should have:

• Ph.D. in economics, environmental economics, or a related field (or due to complete in 2025);
• Strong background in micro-economic theory;
• Experience with experimental methods (lab or field experiments) is a plus;
• Familiarity with water governance is a plus;
• Ability to work independently and in a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment;
• Strong communicate skills.

Wat bieden wij

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• a salary of minimum € 3.378,00 (Scale 10) and maximum € 5.331,00 (Scale 10) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Researcher 4. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
• a position for at least 0.8-0.9 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 1 year. After a positive evaluation, we will extend your contract with 2-2,5 years.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

• A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• contribution to commuting expenses
• the possibility to work partly from home
• solid pension scheme (ABP)

Over ons

School of Business and Economics

We at the School of Business and Economics (SBE) at VU Amsterdam bring together socially relevant teaching and research in the areas of business administration and economics. We focus on real-life issues that have a huge impact on society, economics and ecology: from robotics to big data, and from job market participation to change management.

Collaboration and cooperation, transparency and social responsibility are four keywords that embody our approach. Students, researchers and staff at SBE share real-world knowledge in order to devise solutions together to global economic and social challenges. In order to make a positive impact on the world, society and the lives of others.

Are you interested in joining SBE? You will work in a stimulating, dynamic and international environment with motivated colleagues dedicated to helping society make informed choices. SBE employs roughly 600 staff, with 7,250 students enrolled in the Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes and 1,700 executive students.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research.

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity

Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.