PhD student in genoeconomics, Erasmus University Rotterdam
PhD in genoeconomics, Erasmus University Rotterdam
The Erasmus University Rotterdam has a PhD position available for a research project on geneoeconomics. This is a newly emerging research field that investigates the molecular genetic architecture of economic preferences (e.g. risk preferences, time discounting) and important lifetime outcomes (e.g. happiness). This research could be transformative for the social sciences by identifying novel genetic causes of behaviors and outcomes. Furthermore, the results of this research could inform epidemiology by identifying indirect influences of genes on medical outcomes (e.g. longevity, cardio-vascular diseases or psychiatric disorders) that are mediated by individual behavior.
The candidate will work with data from different sources, including the Rotterdam Study, the Health and Retirement Study, the Swedish Twin Registry, and the Social Science Genetics Association Consortium. The length of the appointment is 4 years. Depending on the candidate’s preferences, the position can be located at the Erasmus Medical Center or the Erasmus School of Economics or both. The candidate will be part of a team that is leading this research effort, including Albert Hofman (Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center), Roy Thurik (Economics), Patrick Groenen (Econometrics), and Philipp Koellinger (Economics). Furthermore, the candidate will work closely with the principal investigators of the Social Science Genetics Association Consortium (Daniel Benjamin at Cornell, David Cesarini at NYU and Philipp Koellinger at Erasmus University) and Magnus Johannesson at the Stockholm School of Economics. The outcome of the project will consist in a number of research papers that will form the contents of the PhD dissertation. The project is designed to result in publications in leading academic journals in the areas of economics, medicine and genetics.
Candidates should have a recently completed Master’s degree in economics, econometrics, behavioral genetics, epidemiology, or another field that provides a sufficient background in statistics. Good computer skills and some knowledge of programming languages are an advantage. Furthermore, curiosity and an interest to work in an interdisciplinary environment are regarded as assets. The necessary skills for using the appropriate statistical methods can be learned during the first year of employment
Application
Please apply until 15 Feb 2012 via the following website:
http://www.erim.eur.nl/ERIM/Doctoral_Programme/PhD_in_Management/phd_projects/project_details?projectID=902#axzz1l2eklE00
Further questions about the position can be directed to Dr. Philipp Koellinger, Erasmus School of Economics, Erasmus University Rotterdam