Economic Analyst - Microsimulation Modelling of Taxation and Social Benefits in the EU

The current vacancy is in the Fiscal Policy Analysis Unit of the JRC Directorate B for Fair and Sustainable Economy.  The mission of Directorate B is to provide first-class analysis and data to support the EU’s aim for today’s and tomorrow’s Europeans to enjoy fair and sustainable prosperity. It takes a systemic view of the relationships between economic activities, the environmental impacts of human activities and the societal needs of the EU’s citizens. Directorate B develops and carries out economic analysis and supports policy making with its unique analytical and modelling tools. It boosts EU innovation-driven competitiveness in the global context, turning territorial diversity and urban-rural interactions into value. It drives European markets, industry and services, including construction and the built environment, towards environmental sustainability.

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 (further information at Fiscal policy analysis - European Commission).

The unit is in charge of the maintenance and update of the EUROMOD model. The model is extensively used by the European Commission services in order to assess EU Member States’ policy reforms as well as to support EU policy proposals.

The main purpose of this job is contributing to maintain, update and extend the EUROMOD model in close collaboration with EUROMOD national teams and with Eurostat. In addition, the jobholder will provide analysis in support of key EU policies, in particular in the context of the European Semester and a fair green transition.

What the job entails

The successful candidate will contribute to the maintenance, update and documentation of the EUROMOD model and in particular, its extension in support of green policies. They will contribute to the timely public release of the model and to the preparation of EUROMOD annual country reports and will also contribute to organise and participate in the annual EUROMOD conferences and EUROMOD project meetings. Furthermore, the successful candidate will provide modelling support for the analysis of tax-benefit policies in the EU and its Member States, in particular related to consumption taxation, including green tax policies.

The main tasks include:

•    maintenance and update of the EUROMOD model, in close collaboration with national teams and EUROSTAT.
•    modelling support for the assessment of alternative fiscal and taxation legislation and relevant policy implications, with a specific focus on consumption taxation including green taxation.
•    preparation and participation in institutional and complementary projects, involving different research institutions related to the EUROMOD model. 
•    contribution to the scientific activities of the unit, through publications in JRC working papers, academic journals and European Commission reports and by participating in (and contributing to the organisation of) workshops and research conferences.

What we offer

The job environment is dynamic and multicultural, with highly-qualified teams of experienced economic modellers and analysts in several areas of tax and social policies and developing/using different tools for the analysis of fiscal policies. The JRC encourages interactions with policy makers, academics and other leading stakeholders active in the field, including participation in (international) conferences and workshops.

What we are looking for

The candidates must have an academic/professional background with experience in Economic Analysis and Microsimulation modelling of tax and social benefits, including green taxation. In particular, candidates must have a diploma attesting university studies of at least 3 years and a solid background in one or several of the following fields: economic analysis of taxation, direct and indirect taxation (in particular green taxation and VAT), taxation systems of Member States.

Additional assets of the sought candidate:
•    A minimum of 5 years professional experience in tax and social benefits analysis and/or modelling and/or applied statistics
•    Knowledge of environmental economics, in particular from a tax perspective
•    Commitment, motivation and proactivity in pursuing projects
•    Ability to work independently, including the effective management of own workload, as well as to work as part of a team
•    Ability to identify and focus on the essential elements of issues and processes so as to achieve established goals efficiently
•    Ability to adapt to changing plans and priorities
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 4.319,72 - 6.256,88 € (applicable as of 1st of July 2024). For more detailed information please consult: Working Conditions

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 https://recruitment.jrc.ec.europa.eu/vacancies
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.

Due to the high number of applications usually received, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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:
https://recruitment.jrc.ec.europa.eu/vacancy/1873

Deadline: 31/05/2025 
Position reference: 2025-JRC.B.2-SVQ-FGIV- 001873