Economic Analyst - in the field of microsimulation modelling

As the science and knowledge service of the European Commission, the mission of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) is to provide independent, evidence-based knowledge and science, supporting EU policies to positively impact society. The JRC is located in 5 Member States (Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain). Further information is available at https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/index_en

The current vacancy is in the Fiscal Policy Analysis Unit of Directorate B for Fair and Sustainable Economy. The mission of Directorate B is to provide top-class analysis and data to support the EU’s political initiatives aimed at ensuring that today’s and tomorrow’s Europeans enjoy fair and sustainable prosperity, taking a systemic view of the relationships between our economic activities, the environmental impacts of human activities and the societal needs of our citizens. Directorate B develops macroeconomic analysis and supports the policy making with its unique analytical and modelling tools and boosts EU innovation driven competitiveness in the global context, turning territorial diversity as well as urban-rural interactions into a value. We drive European markets, industry and services towards environmental sustainability, including construction and the built environment.

The Unit “Fiscal Policy Analysis” provides modelling support and research in the area of taxation and social benefits. Its aim is to contribute to evidence-based fiscal policies that enable the attainment of the social, economic and environmental objectives of the EU.

To fulfil its mission, the Unit maintains, updates and develops state-of-the art tools for the analyses of fiscal policies of the EU and its Member States, and, using those analytical tools, provides evidence for policy making in the area of taxation and social protection in the EU, in alignment with the European Commission priorities.

The Unit "Fiscal Policy Analysis" is looking to recruit a full-time Economic Analyst for microsimulation modelling in the area of tax and social benefits for an initial period of 3-years to contribute to the maintenance, update and documentation of the EUROMOD model in close collaboration with EUROMOD national teams and ESTAT.

What the job entails
We are looking for an Economic Analyst with strong interest and understanding of tax policy, social policy, inequalities and poverty analyses and proven experience in managing large micro-datasets and statistics (in particular using the Stata software), micro-econometrics and/ or microsimulation modelling.

The main tasks include:

• Maintenance, update and documentation of the EUROMOD model, in close collaboration with EUROMOD national teams and with ESTA.
• Contributing to the preparation of EUROMOD annual country reports
• Providing modelling support for the analysis of tax and social reforms in the EU in the context of the European Semester for economic and fiscal policy coordination,
• Contributing to the unit´s technical support to Member States for the development of analytical capacity in the area of tax-benefit systems.
• Carrying out scientific research on the impacts of tax and social benefit policies, such as budgetary impacts, distributional effects and work incentives.
• Contributing to the scientific activities of the unit and participating in research conferences and the organisation of workshops.

What we offer
The JRC provides high-quality working conditions in a dynamic environment. Working in a multidisciplinary and multicultural team, the successful candidate will have a unique opportunity to support EU policies and contribute to JRC’s research agenda. The JRC encourages interactions with policy makers, academics and other leading stakeholders active in the field, including participation in (international) conferences and workshops.

Working in a multidisciplinary and multicultural team, the successful candidate will contribute to the scientific mission of the JRC by providing scientific evidence in a wide selection of topics, such as the assessment of EU proposals and national reforms in the areas of taxation and social benefits. The successful candidate will contribute to scientific research on the impacts of fiscal policies, in particular budgetary impacts, distributional and work incentive effects. He/she will also contribute to the development of analytical tools to be able to reply to the emerging policy and research questions in the areas of tax and social benefit systems. This is a unique opportunity to interact with policy makers, academics and other leading stakeholders (e.g. international organisations) active in the field.

What we are looking for
Qualifications:

A doctoral degree or a Ph.D. in Economics (or related field) or a minimum of 5 years of proved research experience after university studies of at least 3 years attested by a diploma.

Specific experience:

Further, the candidate should have a solid background in one or several of the following fields: tax policy, social policy, inequalities and poverty analyses. The successful candidate will be expected to have experience in managing large micro-datasets and statistics (in particular using the Stata software), micro-econometrics and/ or in microsimulation modelling. Previous experience with the EUROMOD microsimulation model or similar microsimulation models would be an additional asset. Experience in producing and analysing tax and benefit indicators for different types of households would also be highly appreciated.

A track record of research and publications in the area of tax and social policy is also welcome.

As English is the main working language, the candidate should have a very good level and be able to speak, read and write in this language.

Indicative duration and salary
36-months initial contract with possible renewals up to maximum 6 years. Salary will be calculated according to the Staff regulation conditions for Contract Agent Function Group IV. The approximate basic gross monthly salary varies from 3943,39 - 5711,77 €, depending on the grade. For more detailed information please consult: Working Conditions.

Location: Seville, Spain.

Rules & Eligibility
If you are already on a valid CAST FG IV reserve list, or you have already applied to one of the calls below, you can directly submit your application at http://recruitment.jrc.ec.europa.eu/?type=AX.

If not, before applying to this position, you must register for one of the two following:

• the Call for Expressions of Interest | EU Careers (europa.eu) (CAST Permanent FG IV), which is used by a wide range of organisations (institutions, bodies, offices and agencies of the European Union), or
• the specialised call for researchers  (JRC Call COM/1/2015/GFIV – Research), which is mainly used by the JRC.

Note that each of the calls above has different minimum eligibility requirements and different selection tests.

The JRC cultivates a workplace based on respect for other people and the environment, and embraces non-discriminatory practices and equality of opportunity. In case of equal merit, preference will be given to the gender in minority.

APPLICATION and full details on the open call are available at:

http://recruitment.jrc.ec.europa.eu/?site=SVQ

Deadline:  31/10/2023

Position reference: 2023-SVQ-B2-FGIV-023836