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PhD on Economics of Science: Competition, Collaboration, and Scientific Discovery - Job Opportunity at Eindhoven University of Technology

Eindhoven, Netherlands
Full-time
Entry-level
Posted: August 15, 2025
On-site
EUR 3,059-3,881 per month

Benefits

Four-year full employment contract providing exceptional job security in the academic sector, significantly longer than typical industry positions
Comprehensive pension scheme offering long-term financial security beyond standard retirement planning
Enhanced parental benefits including fully paid pregnancy and maternity leave plus partially compensated parental leave, exceeding many private sector offerings
Substantial annual bonuses totaling 16.3% (8.3% year-end bonus plus 8% vacation pay) representing significant additional compensation
World-class professional development through high-quality training programs designed to cultivate autonomous scientific researchers
Premium technical infrastructure access providing cutting-edge research capabilities
Comprehensive work-life balance support including on-campus childcare facilities and sports amenities
Financial support package covering commuting costs, home office expenses, and internet connectivity
Specialized immigration assistance and 30% tax facility for international candidates, substantially reducing relocation barriers
Beautiful green campus environment with convenient central train station access enhancing daily work experience

Key Responsibilities

Lead groundbreaking interdisciplinary research at the intersection of economics of science, innovation studies, and technology policy, contributing to fundamental understanding of how academic competition shapes scientific discovery and technological breakthroughs
Develop and execute sophisticated empirical research methodologies using large-scale datasets including publication networks, funding databases, and citation analyses to uncover deep structural patterns in scientific knowledge production
Generate policy-relevant insights that could fundamentally reshape how scientific institutions operate, potentially influencing funding mechanisms and academic incentive structures at national and international levels
Contribute to the advancement of the Technology, Innovation & Society research group's mission by producing high-impact academic publications that bridge theoretical economics with practical science policy applications
Engage in strategic teaching responsibilities (10-15% of time) to develop the next generation of innovation researchers while building essential academic career skills
Collaborate with international scholarly networks to position research within global conversations about science policy reform and innovation system optimization
Translate complex economic theories and empirical findings into actionable recommendations for policymakers and institutional leaders seeking to enhance scientific productivity and innovation outcomes

Requirements

Education

Master's degree in Economics, Innovation Sciences, Data Sciences, Statistics, or related fields

Experience

Strong background in empirical research methods, econometrics, and/or data science

Required Skills

Statistical software proficiency (Stata or R) Programming capabilities (Python) Experience with large datasets (publications with affiliations, funding, or citation networks) Excellent writing and communication skills in English Strong interest in economics of science and innovation and research policy Ambitious and strongly motivated to conduct high-quality academic research
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The economics of science field is experiencing unprecedented growth as governments and institutions worldwide grapple with optimizing their research investments and understanding the drivers of scientific breakthroughs. Recent policy discussions around research evaluation, funding mechanisms, and the reproducibility crisis have created substantial demand for empirical research that can inform evidence-based science policy. The intersection of big data analytics with science studies represents a rapidly expanding area where traditional economic methods meet modern computational approaches to understand innovation systems. Academic institutions are increasingly recognizing the need to understand how competitive pressures affect research quality and innovation outcomes, particularly as funding becomes more competitive globally. The rise of interdisciplinary research programs combining economics, data science, and innovation studies reflects growing recognition that complex societal challenges require sophisticated analytical approaches that can bridge quantitative analysis with policy relevance. There is growing international focus on understanding how academic incentive structures influence scientific discovery, with particular emphasis on whether current systems promote or hinder breakthrough innovations. This trend is driving increased investment in research positions that can provide empirical evidence for reforming scientific institutions and funding mechanisms.

Salary Evaluation

The stated salary range of EUR 36,708-46,572 annually (based on monthly figures) is competitive for PhD positions in the Netherlands and reflects the country's strong investment in doctoral education. When considering the substantial benefits package, tax advantages for international candidates, and the four-year guaranteed funding period, the total compensation package likely exceeds EUR 50,000 annually in equivalent value, positioning this opportunity in the upper tier of European PhD programs.

Role Significance

The candidate will work within the Technology, Innovation & Society group as part of an international and interdisciplinary research team, likely collaborating with 5-10 faculty members and fellow researchers. Direct supervision by Dr. Emilio Raiteri suggests a mentorship-intensive environment with opportunities for collaborative projects across the broader Industrial Engineering & Innovation Sciences department.
This PhD position represents a strategic early-career opportunity with significant autonomy and research leadership responsibilities. The candidate will function as a junior researcher with direct supervision but substantial independence in conducting original research that could influence national and international science policy discussions. The role combines advanced analytical work with policy-relevant research, positioning the holder as an emerging expert in a critical area of science and innovation studies.

Key Projects

Large-scale empirical analyses of academic publication and citation networks to understand how competitive pressures influence research direction and quality Development of novel econometric models to assess the relationship between funding mechanisms, institutional incentives, and scientific breakthrough potential Policy-oriented research projects examining how different academic evaluation systems affect innovation outcomes and researcher behavior Collaborative studies with international partners investigating the effectiveness of various science policy interventions in promoting open science and disruptive research

Success Factors

Developing sophisticated technical skills in handling and analyzing large-scale scientific datasets while maintaining theoretical rigor in economic analysis and interpretation Building strong collaborative relationships within the interdisciplinary TIS research group and broader international networks in economics of science and innovation studies Effectively communicating complex research findings to both academic audiences and policy stakeholders, translating empirical results into actionable insights for science policy reform Maintaining focus on policy-relevant research questions while contributing to theoretical advancement in the economics of science field Successfully balancing independent research development with collaborative team projects and teaching responsibilities

Market Demand

High demand exists for researchers with expertise in economics of science and innovation studies, as this field addresses critical policy questions facing governments and institutions worldwide. The specialized nature of this role, combined with growing interest in evidence-based science policy, creates strong career prospects in both academic and policy sectors.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Advanced econometric and statistical analysis capabilities are essential for conducting rigorous empirical research with large-scale scientific datasets, as the credibility of policy recommendations depends on methodological sophistication and analytical rigor Programming proficiency, particularly in Python and R, is crucial for managing and analyzing complex datasets involving publication records, citation networks, and funding information, skills that are increasingly valuable across multiple career paths Strong written and oral communication abilities are vital for translating complex research findings into accessible policy recommendations and for building collaborative relationships within interdisciplinary research teams Deep understanding of innovation economics and science policy frameworks is necessary for positioning research within broader theoretical contexts and ensuring policy relevance

Beneficial Skills

Knowledge of network analysis techniques would enhance ability to study collaboration patterns and knowledge flows in scientific communities Familiarity with science and technology studies methodologies could provide valuable complementary perspectives to economic approaches Experience with machine learning and text analysis methods could open new research directions in analyzing scientific literature and research patterns Understanding of institutional economics and organizational behavior could deepen insights into how academic incentive structures influence researcher behavior

Unique Aspects

This position offers a rare opportunity to influence fundamental questions about how scientific knowledge is produced and how academic institutions can be optimized for breakthrough discoveries, potentially shaping policy discussions at national and international levels
The role combines cutting-edge data science techniques with economic theory and policy analysis, creating a unique skill set that is increasingly valuable in both academic and policy sectors
Working within TU/e's collaborative environment provides access to interdisciplinary perspectives and industry connections that are uncommon in traditional economics programs
The focus on competition and collaboration in science addresses timely questions about academic incentive structures that are central to ongoing debates about research evaluation and funding reform

Career Growth

Career progression typically occurs within 2-3 years post-PhD completion, with opportunities for postdoctoral positions emerging during the final year of doctoral studies. The specialized nature of this field and growing policy demand suggest strong prospects for securing competitive positions upon completion.

Potential Next Roles

Postdoctoral researcher positions at leading international universities specializing in economics of innovation or science policy research Policy analyst or research positions with government agencies, think tanks, or international organizations focused on science and innovation policy Assistant professor roles in economics departments, business schools, or interdisciplinary programs focusing on innovation and technology policy Senior researcher positions with research councils, funding agencies, or international bodies involved in science policy development

Company Overview

Eindhoven University of Technology

Eindhoven University of Technology stands as one of Europe's premier technical universities, recognized internationally for its innovative approach combining fundamental research with practical applications. The institution has built a distinctive reputation for industry collaboration while maintaining high academic standards, positioning itself as a bridge between cutting-edge research and real-world technological solutions. TU/e's focus on addressing societal challenges through interdisciplinary research creates an environment where theoretical work directly connects to practical impact.

TU/e consistently ranks among the top technical universities globally and holds a particularly strong position in European higher education and research. The university's top-five ranking in industry collaboration demonstrates its ability to translate academic research into practical applications, while its international recognition attracts top-tier faculty and students from around the world. This market position provides PhD graduates with significant credibility and networking opportunities in both academic and industry contexts.
Located in the Eindhoven region, known as one of Europe's most innovative technology hubs, TU/e benefits from proximity to major technology companies, research institutions, and a thriving startup ecosystem. The region's concentration of high-tech industries and research facilities creates unique opportunities for collaboration and career development, while the excellent transportation connections facilitate engagement with broader European and international research networks.
TU/e promotes a collaborative, international, and entrepreneurial work environment that encourages interdisciplinary research and practical application of academic insights. The university's emphasis on combining scientific curiosity with hands-on problem-solving creates a dynamic atmosphere where theoretical research is valued for its potential real-world impact. The international character of the research community fosters global perspectives and collaborative approaches to complex challenges.
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