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Call for Research Positions in the Economics of Innovation

25 June, 2015

CERGE-EI is seeking to appoint a post-doc or research associate (3 year extendable) and a junior researcher (1 year extendable) in the economics of innovation.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a newly-formed research group and contribute to the Strategy AV21 research program of the Czech Academy of Sciences. Closing date for applications is 31 July.

Junior researcher position in economics of innovation

Location: CERGE-EI, Prague, Czech Republic
Contract: Full-time (reduction negotiable) one-year position (extendable)
Salary: EUR 1,400 to 2,000 per month gross
Closing date for applications: 31 July 2015
Expected start date: 1 September 2015 - 1 February 2016 (negotiable)

CERGE-EI is seeking to appoint a junior researcher in economics of innovation. The candidate will join the newly formed research group led by Daniel Münich and Martin Srholec focusing on the study of science, research and innovation. CERGE-EI is internationally renowned for its excellence in basic and policy-oriented economic research and a premier US-style PhD in Economics program. The workplace offers an academically stimulating work environment based on strong international research collaboration. Further information can be found at www.cerge-ei.cz.

Job description

The successful candidate will contribute to the newly launched research programme of Strategy AV21 of the Czech Academy of Sciences, which aims at combining excellent academic research with evidence-based policy advisory work. The candidate’s research should be in the field of economics of innovation in a broad sense, including insights from economics of knowledge, geography of innovation, innovation management, entrepreneurship and related fields. The candidate is expected to assist in empirical research using combined larger databases, writing research papers and producing policy reports.

Topics

The research concentrates on sources of innovation, the impact of innovation on performance and diversity of innovative behaviour with a focus on questions related to public policy. Specific topics of interest are:

• Technology change, technological capabilities and economic growth
• Innovative strategies, innovative behaviour and performance of firms
• Science-based entrepreneurship, academic start-ups and university spin-offs • Public-private collaboration on innovation, technology transfer and networking
• Financing of research, development and innovation, including impact evaluation of public support programmes
• Globalization of innovation, foreign direct investment and localization of research and development activities
• Systems of innovation, comparative institutional analysis and innovation policy

The successful candidate is expected to have interest in at least one of these topics. Preference will be given to applicants with interest in more than one of them.

Requirements

The applicant must hold (or soon obtain) a master degree or equivalent in innovation studies, economics, applied econometrics, management, business administration or related areas. The ideal applicant should have:

• strong analytical skills and basic knowledge of quantitative methods
• genuine interest in empirical innovation research
• written research papers publishable in international journals
• willingness to learn, explore and experiment with new approaches
• a record of individual initiative, independence and time-management skills
• excellent communicational skills and be a team player
• a good written and oral command of English

Experience with micro data econometrics, multivariate statistics, statistical software and working with large datasets is desirable but not necessary. Spoken Czech is welcome but not required.

Conditions

The position is full-time or part-time for a fixed period of one year with a possibility for renewal conditioned on the candidate’s performance. The gross monthly salary will range between EUR 1,400 and 2,000 depending on the candidate’s qualifications and experience. Bonuses are available for highquality work and for acquiring further external funding. Full-time employees are entitled to annual paid leave of 5 weeks. Other employment conditions are governed by the Czech law.

The workplace is CERGE-EI, located in downtown Prague, Czech Republic. The position primarily involves research and related tasks (data collection and management, collaboration on research applications, assistance in organizing research-related events, etc.). In addition, the successful candidate is expected to pursue dissemination activities (advice on policy, public engagement and research popularization). The position involves no teaching obligations. Members of the team are free to work from home, though they are expected to be regularly present at the workplace. Administrative support, office space and IT facilities, personal travel budget, access to library and relevant micro datasets, etc. will be provided by the employer.

Application

• Cover letter
• Curriculum Vitae (including a list of publications)
• Motivation letter (one page)
• Statement of research interests (not more than 1,000 words)
• Examples of written work (up to three papers)
• Contact information of one reference person

The selection of candidates will be based on an overall assessment of submitted documents. In addition, interviews may occur. The decision will be announced in August 2015. The decision will be announced in August 2015. The contract is intended to start as soon as possible pending the candidate’s commitments, but not later than in February 2016. Additional positions may be opened for exceptionally well-qualified candidates.

More information

For formal inquiries about the application procedure contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . For informal inquiries about the academic aspects contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Post-doc / research associate position in economics of innovation

Location: CERGE-EI, Prague, Czech Republic
Contract: Full-time three-year position (extendable)
Salary: EUR 1,800 to 2,200 per month gross
Closing date for applications: 31 July 2015
Expected start date: 1 September 2015 - 1 February 2016 (negotiable)

CERGE-EI invites applications for a post-doc / research associate position in the field of economics of innovation. The candidate will join the newly formed research group led by Daniel Münich and Martin Srholec focusing on the study of science, research and innovation. CERGE-EI is internationally renowned for its excellence in basic and policy-oriented economic research and a premier US-style PhD in Economics program. The workplace offers an academically stimulating work environment based on strong international research collaboration. Further information can be found at www.cerge-ei.cz.

Job description

The successful candidate will contribute to the newly launched research programme of Strategy AV21 of the Czech Academy of Sciences, which aims at combining excellent academic research with evidence-based policy advisory work. The candidate’s research should be in the field of economics of innovation in a broad sense, including insights from economics of knowledge, geography of innovation, innovation management, entrepreneurship and related fields. The candidate is expected to perform empirical research, publish research papers and produce policy reports.

Topics

The research concentrates on sources of innovation, the impact of innovation on performance and diversity of innovative behaviour with focus on questions related to public policy. Specific topics of interest are:
• Technology change, technological capabilities and economic growth
• Innovative strategies, innovative behaviour and performance of firms
• Science-based entrepreneurship, academic start-ups and university spin-offs
• Public-private collaboration on innovation, technology transfer and networking
• Financing of research, development and innovation, including impact evaluation of public support programmes
• Globalization of innovation, foreign direct investment and localization of research and development activities
• Systems of innovation, comparative institutional analysis and innovation policy

The successful candidate is expected to have expertise in at least one of these topics. Preference will be given to applicants with interest in more than one of them. However, we are also open to consider other research interests, if related to those above.

Requirements

The applicant must hold (or soon obtain) a PhD degree or equivalent in innovation studies, economics, applied econometrics, management, business administration or related areas. The ideal applicant should have:
• proven expertise in social science methodology, preferably quantitative methods, and strong analytical skills
• conducted and published high quality academic research in international journals • genuine interest in empirical innovation research
• documented ability to engage and inform policy making
• willingness to collaborate on grant-writing and fundraising efforts
• a record of individual initiative, independence and time-management skills
• an excellent written and oral command of English

Expertise in micro data econometrics, multivariate statistics, statistical software and working with large datasets is desirable but not necessary. Spoken Czech is welcome but not required. Eligible candidates who will have not received their PhD degree by the application deadline should include in their application package a letter from their PhD advisor confirming that they will finish their doctoral obligations by 1 February 2016.

Conditions

The position is full-time for a period of three years that starts with an initial fixed period of one year, with an intended extension for another two years. The position will be further renewable pending acquisition of additional external funding. The gross monthly salary will range between EUR 1,800 and 2,200 depending on the candidate’s qualifications and experience. Bonuses will be available for high-quality publications and for acquiring further external funding sources. Full-time employees are entitled to annual paid leave of 5 weeks. Other employment conditions are governed by the Czech law.

Application

The application should be written in English and submitted by e-mail to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , cc: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . The application should be received no later than the 31 July 2015. Earlier submissions are strongly encouraged. The application should include:
• Cover letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Full list of publications
• Motivation letter (one page)
• Statement of research interests (not more than 1,500 words)
• Examples of written work (up to three papers)
• Contact information of two reference persons

The selection of candidates will be based on an overall assessment of submitted documents. In addition, Skype interviews may occur. The decision will be announced in August 2015. The contract is intended to start as soon as possible pending the candidate’s commitments, but not later than in February 2016. Additional positions may be opened for exceptionally well-qualified candidates.

More information