Pre-doctoral researcher at the Historical Economics and Development Group (HEDG), Department of Economics, University of Southern Denmark

<p>Applications are invited for a 1-year full-time research assistant (pre-doc) position (“research assistant”) at the Historical Economics and Development Group (<a href="https://www.sdu.dk/en/hedg" target="_blank">HEDG</a>), <a href="https://www.sdu.dk/en/om-sdu/institutter-centre/oekonomiskinstitut" target="_blank">Department of Economics</a>, University of Southern Denmark, Odense. The starting date is flexible, but we hope to welcome our new colleague on August 15, 2025. </p> <p><strong>Job Description</strong></p> <p>The Department of Economics is an international department with a strong tradition of excellence in research and teaching within the various areas of economics. The research, teaching, and dissemination activities at the department are organized within four groups: Econometrics and Data Science; Economic History; Macroeconomics; and Microeconomics. A more elaborated description of the department and the groups can be found on <a href="https://www.sdu.dk/en/om_sdu/institutter_centre/oekonomiskinstitut" target="_blank">the department website.</a></p> <p>The successful applicant joins the Historical Economics and Development Group (HEDG), one of Europe’s leading centers for quantitative research in economic history, development, and long-run growth. Established in 2011 and led by <a href="https://portal.findresearcher.sdu.dk/da/persons/pauls" target="_blank">Professor Paul Sharp</a>, HEDG conducts empirical research focused on the long-term effects of interventions on economic outcomes. </p> <p>The research assistant will support research at HEDG, and two research projects led by Associate Professors <a href="https://portal.findresearcher.sdu.dk/da/persons/volha-lazuka" target="_blank">Volha Lazuka</a> and <a href="https://portal.findresearcher.sdu.dk/da/persons/wray" target="_blank">Anthony Wray</a>. </p> <p><a href="https://dff.dk/en/our-funded-projects/meet-the-researchers/research-leaders/eksterne-personer-en/research-leaders-2024/volha-lazuka/" target="_blank">Volha Lazuka’s project</a>, funded by the Independent Research Fund Denmark examines the long-term social and economic effects of normalization reforms for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Denmark and Sweden, using register-based microdata and advanced econometric methods. <a href="https://www.carlsbergfondet.dk/en/what-we-have-funded/cf24-1487/" target="_blank">Anthony Wray’s Carlsberg Foundation project</a> investigates how philanthropic and corporate investments shaped medical innovation and health inequality before the rise of the welfare state, particularly in the United States. Both projects rely on historical microdata, advanced econometric techniques, and novel digital methods. </p> <p>The research environment also includes the DNRF Chair project led by <a href="https://portal.findresearcher.sdu.dk/da/persons/gclark" target="_blank">Gregory Clark</a>, which uses the historical data to reassess social mobility in Denmark and Norway over more than two centuries using multi-generational genealogies and new measurement techniques.</p> <p>The position will involve hands-on experience in data analysis, statistical modeling, research communication, and academic writing. The most important task of the research assistant will be to use statistical software to work with large datasets. This work will involve the cleaning and development of data files as well as using econometric and statistical analysis to analyze the data. </p> <p>The research assistant will also work with large language models (LLMs) to develop automated processes for data transcription. The successful candidate will meet regularly with Lazuka, Sharp, and Wray to discuss their work, exchange ideas and receive feedback, and will have access to seminars, workshops, and a wide range of other activities organized by the HEDG group at SDU and the department of economics.</p> <p>The position is ideal for someone with serious interest in economics research and an intention to apply to a PhD program in economics or a related field in the near future. </p> <p><strong>Qualifications</strong></p> <p>Successful candidates will have demonstrated quantitative skills, coding experience, and mathematical training, including:</p> <ul> <li>Bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in economics, public policy, computer science, statistics, or a related field</li> <li>Proficiency in programming in R</li> <li>Knowledge of basic regression analysis</li> <li>Strong academic record </li> <li>Strong written and oral communication skills in English and Danish </li> <li>Willingness to learn other software as needed (e.g., Python, Stata).</li> <li>Independent judgment, patience, and excellent communication skills are required to respond efficiently to varied/complex tasks</li> <li>Organization and attention to detail is a must</li> </ul> <p><strong>Preferred skills:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Significant experience in conducting economic (or related) research, including