PhD Position: Economic Analysis: Do you have a keen interest in researching the economics of health risks associated with endocrine disrupting chemicals, including ‘forever chemicals’? Join an interdisciplinary European research project at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, working alongside chemists, toxicologists, public health scientists, and risk assessment professionals.
| Designation | Research Area | Location |
|---|---|---|
| PhD Candidate | Health Economics | Amsterdam |
Eligibility/Qualification:
- Master’s degree in economics or a related social sciences discipline.
- Strong quantitative skills.
- Demonstrable interest in social survey methods (interviews, experiments).
- Proven interest in interdisciplinary work.
- Good communication skills in English and one other European language.
Job Description:
PhD Position: Economic Analysis of Health Risks of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
As a PhD candidate, you will conduct research focused on the economic costs and benefits of national and EU-wide policies and regulations aimed at reducing the risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), including ‘forever chemicals’ like PFAS. Your work will involve data collection through surveys, interviews, and choice experiments to gauge public awareness, experience, perceptions, attitudes, and the sense of urgency regarding EDC risks. Choice experiments will be used to assess public willingness to change lifestyles and behavioral patterns leading to adverse health outcomes, as well as to test different risk communication strategies targeting diverse socioeconomic and sociocultural risk profiles. The goal is to assess social inequalities for future policy and regulation development.
You will be part of a new Horizon Europe project starting in 2024, investigating EDCs’ role in the progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, a global health concern. This project involves collaboration with scientists and practitioners from nine European countries. VU Amsterdam’s Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM) leads the work package on socio-economic and behavioral approaches, responsible for evaluating public support for eliminating EDCs from European markets in alignment with relevant EU legislation. You will collaborate closely with the Economics department at the University of Waterloo, Canada.
Your Duties:
- Conduct research leading to a PhD thesis.
- Contribute to project tasks, including organizing workshops and data collection.
What Are We Offering? A challenging position in a socially engaged organization, with a salary in accordance with university regulations. The initial salary is €2,770 (PhD) per month during the first year, increasing to €3,539 (PhD) per month during the fourth year for full-time employment. The initial appointment is for one year, with the possibility of extension for three years following a satisfactory evaluation. Additional benefits include generous leave, holiday allowance, end-of-year bonus, a solid pension scheme, and support for commuting expenses. There is also an option for designing a personalized benefits package.
About Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam aims to contribute to a better world through outstanding education and groundbreaking research. The university values personal development and commitment to society. It encourages collaboration across different disciplines and backgrounds to drive innovation and generate new knowledge. The VU campus, located in the heart of Amsterdam’s Zuidas district, offers an inspiring environment for teaching and research.
Diversity: The university prides itself on being an inclusive community that values diversity. International activities and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds enrich the quality of education and research.
About the Faculty of Science: The Faculty of Science at VU Amsterdam provides an environment where students, PhD candidates, and scientists collaborate to tackle fundamental and complex social issues for a sustainable and healthy future. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, and from genetics to pharmaceuticals, the faculty’s teaching and research cover a wide spectrum of natural sciences. Interdisciplinary collaboration with leading research institutes and industry partners is a fundamental aspect of the faculty’s work.
About the Institute: The Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM), established in 1971, is internationally recognized for its high-quality research output in various environmental disciplines and interdisciplinary work. IVM aims to contribute to sustainable development and environmental care through scientific research and teaching. It excels in understanding sustainability problems within their social and economic context. IVM consists of four departments: Environmental Economics, Environmental Geography, Environmental Policy Analysis, and Water and Climate Risk. The department of Environmental Economics plays a pivotal role in enhancing insights into the interaction between the environment and the economy.
How to Apply: If you are interested in this position, please apply via the application button and upload your curriculum vitae and cover letter by 22 December 2023. Job interviews are scheduled for the second half of January 2024. Applicants are encouraged to consider these dates when applying.
Please note that submitting a diploma and a reference check are part of the application process.
Applications received by email will not be processed.
Last Date for Apply: 22 December 2023
Disclaimer: This job post has been created based on the provided details. For further information and to apply, please refer to the official Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam website.
