Postdoc on Scarcity, Cognitive Depletion and Decision-making: Experimental Approaches

The Economics and Business Economics department at the Nijmegen School of Management (Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands) is seeking applications for the position of a Postdoctoral Research Fellow on 'Scarcity, cognitive depletion and decision-making: experimental approaches’. While the structural causes of poverty and the societal level are of utmost importance, that is not the focus of the present project. Instead, it aims at understanding the effects of scarcity and poverty and considering these from an individual decision-making perspective. We contribute to the research that investigates the hypothesis that people become trapped in poverty because scarcity imposes constraints on the cognitive processes via cognitive depletion. Field empirical evidence on cognitive depletion and scarcity constraints on decision-making is limited and we aim to extend our understanding of decision-making under scarcity in the field so that policy-makers can be informed and design well-grounded poverty alleviation interventions. If our hypothesis is confirmed, then merely providing more information, training or structure is unlikely to be successful, and simultaneously involving in-time financial and/or mental support could be more successful. These policies are complementary to those addressing the structural causes of poverty.

We will investigate the impact of scarcity and cognitive depletion on decision-making through laboratory and field experiments. The Economics and Business Economics department at the Nijmegen School of Management has a vibrant experimental group working directly on behavioural economics and finance. You can also share and discuss your ideas through the multidisciplinary research unit on individual and group decision making at the Nijmegen School of Management.

In this position you will closely collaborate with Jana Vyrastekova and Jianying Qiu. Together with them, you will design experiments, prepare materials for the approval of the ethics committee of this design, and run experiments in the field (e.g. recruitment of experimental subjects and training of assistants for the field experiments). You will also perform statistical analyses, write academic papers, and publish the results in internationally recognised journals. Depending on the situation, you may also write research grant proposals with the support of your research collaborators.

• You hold a PhD in economics or economic psychology, preferably with a focus on behavioural and experimental economics. Experience with field work is a considerable advantage.
• You should have a good command of English and Mandarin, because you will work in the Netherlands and the main field study will be conducted in suburban China.
• You have experience with academic writing, demonstrated by publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• You are able to work creatively, flexibly and independently.

• Employment: 32 hours per week.
• A maximum gross monthly salary of € 5,127 based on a 38-hour working week (salary scale 11).
• The exact salary depends on the candidate's qualifications and amount of relevant professional experience.
• In addition to the salary: an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• Duration of the contract: two-years (0.8 FTE position).
• The intended start date is 1 February 2021, provided all necessary visa and work permits have been obtained by then.
• Under special circumstances, applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief, by which 30% of their salary is tax free.
• Radboud University offers a dynamic position in an attractive work environment and has excellent terms and conditions of employment, including an attractive retirement scheme and (partly paid) maternity leave.
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Care Services. Our Dual Career and Family Care Officer can assist you with family-related support, help your partner or spouse prepare for the local labour market, provide customized support in their search for employment  and help your family settle in Nijmegen.
• Are you interested in our excellent employment conditions?

We want to get the best out of science, others and ourselves. Why? Because this is what the world around us desperately needs. Leading research and education make an indispensable contribution to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. This is what unites the more than 22,000 students and 5,000 employees at Radboud University. And this requires even more talent, collaboration and lifelong learning. You have a part to play!

• Letter of motivation explaining your motivation, your interest in the project and the topic of cognitive depletion and poverty, and your competences.
• CV including qualifications, a list of academic publications, and an academic reference supporting your application.