Post-Doctoral Researcher on the Causes and Consequences of Retirement: the Role of Employers
Universiteit LeidenJobsCloseBy Editorial Insights
Leiden University seeks a two-year, full-time Post-Doctoral Researcher to study the causes and consequences of retirement and the role of employers, using linked employer-employee data and natural experiments. Based in the Department of Economics, the role starts April 2026 with a competitive scale 11 salary and a strong emphasis on policy impact. You will conduct high quality research, present at international conferences, engage with policymakers, publish in journals, and prepare industry papers while coordinating the consortium. Requirements: PhD in economics or econometrics, proficiency in Stata or R, experience with admin data is advantageous, ability to work independently, excellent English, and teamwork. Apply with a cover letter, CV with publications, and a publication or working paper by February 7, 2026; contact Prof. Egbert Jongen for details.
Teaser Text
Post-Doctoral Researcher on the Causes and Consequences of Retirement: the Role of Employers
Vacancy number: 16313
Research Project
A group of researchers from Leiden University, the University of Melbourne, the University of Queensland, the University of Mannheim and the Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis has received funding from Netspar and Instituut Gak to study the role of employers in the labour market and health outcomes of older workers (see also here).
With an aging population and a tight labour market, stimulating old-age employment is crucial for the sustainability of our welfare system, including the pension system, and our economy. Prior reforms have been mostly targeted at workers, yet employment still declines strongly after the age of 60, with few workers remaining employed past the statutory retirement age. Low old-age employment is the result of both workers’ preferences and employers’ barriers and willingness to hire, train and retain older workers. Little is known on the role of the employers. Our project will investigate this role using linked employer-employee administrative data on the universe of Dutch workers and employers and natural experiments, while also leveraging the information in existing worker- and firm-level surveys.
Our findings aim to inform the debate surrounding old-age employment, identifying the pressing issues and factors on the demand side, and promising policies for employers and policies targeted at employers, that can be used to improve the outcomes of older workers and their employers in the Netherlands and abroad.
What you will do
The selected post-doctoral researcher will be working at Leiden University.
The position comprises the following tasks:
- Conducting high-quality research within the framework of the research project;
- Present papers at international conferences;
- Present the findings to policymakers and engage stakeholders;
- Submit academic papers for publication in academic journals;
- Work on industry papers targeted at specialists of the pension and insurance industry;
- Organise and participate in seminars and workshops of the research project;
- Assist with the coordination of the consortium and collaborating with partners.
Where you will work
Our Department
The Department of Economics is a young, vibrant research community. We work together to make a difference, celebrate our bigger and smaller successes and look out for each other. Moreover, a good work-life balance is important to us, and we offer the flexibility to combine work with other responsibilities. The department has been growing steadily, with new bachelor and master programs in The Hague. The department has a reputation of working together in teams on joint research projects, while at the same time giving individual researchers the autonomy and flexibility to pursue other research interests as well. In the broad field of economics, the activities of the department are concentrated on socio-economic policy, law and economics, the functioning of the labor market, and social security.
Our Faculty
The Department of Economics is part of the Leiden Law School (ranked #1 in the Netherlands for the subject of law and #21 in the 2022 QS World University Rankings by Subject). Leiden Law School is located in Leiden and The Hague. With more than 6500 students and around 1000 staff, it is one of the largest university faculties in the Netherlands. The faculty focuses on innovative multidisciplinary research and educational programmes that are constantly renewed in response to issues in society.
Our faculty is large enough to make a difference nationally and internationally, yet small enough to offer personalised education. This is how we contribute to a safe and sustainable world, each and every day. The faculty is housed in the beautifully restored Kamerlingh Onnes Building on the Steenschuur in Leiden. The Department of Economics also has offices in the Spui building in The Hague. Working for Leiden Law School means working in a welcoming and inspiring academic environment.
What you bring
- A PhD in economics or econometrics;
- Experience in working with Stata and/or R;
- Experience in working with admin data is considered an advantage;
- The ability to conduct research independently;
- Excellent writing and oral communication skills in English;
- Dutch language skills are considered an advantage;
- Experience with project coordination is considered an advantage;
- Given the collaborative nature of the projects, being a team player is highly valued.
What we offer
Our goal is to work together to create a transparent and inclusive work environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated. Our organisation is always evolving and we need your ideas for improvement and innovation to take us further. We want to devote attention to your personal development. You can count on an enjoyable job within the socially relevant world of education and research. The University's challenging and international work environment is located just steps away from Leiden’s lively city centre or the bustling city centre of The Hague. We also want to work with you to devote attention to your health and vitality, for example with the fun activities we organise through Healthy University.We also offer:
- We offer a full-time position (38 hours per week) for two years. This contract falls under the CLA of Dutch Universities;
- A salary between €4728 - €6433 gross per month, based on a full-time appointment (38 hours) (Scale 11);
- A holiday allowance (8%), an end-of-year bonus (8,3%), and an attractive pension scheme at ABP;
- Start date: April 2026 (or as soon as possible);
- The selected candidates will have the opportunity to participate in the teaching programme of the department and to develop teaching experience.
- Lots of options when it comes to secondary employment conditions; we can, for example, discuss options for a sabbatical or paid parental leave. Within our terms of employment individual choices model, you can exchange leave days and/or salary for benefits such as an advantageous sports subscription and bicycle scheme;
What we value
Promoting an inclusive community is central to Leiden University’s values and vision. Leiden University aims to be an inclusive community in which all students and staff members feel valued and respected, and are able to develop to their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High-quality education and research means inclusive education and research.Want to apply or find out more?
If you want to apply straight away, click the application button.Please ensure that you upload the following additional documents quoting the vacancy number:
- A cover letter stating your motivation for this position;
- A curriculum vitae including a complete list of publications;
- A publication (or working paper);
- At this stage, it is not necessary to submit references or recommendation letters.
- Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated. If you nevertheless choose to send us CVs, no rights can be derived from this.