A RESEARCHER IN THE FIELD OF PUBLIC POLICY EVALUATION AT THE INSTITUTE FOR THE EVALUATION OF PUBLIC POLICIES (FBK- IRVAPP)

FBK is a private research institution based in Trento (Italy), operating in different scientific fields and disciplines.
As such, it keeps the Autonomous Province of Trento within the mainstream of international research.
FBK comprises 12 research centres with activities and production available at http://www.
bk.
u/research-centers.
Workplace FBK-IRVAPP is a research institute based in Trento (Italy).
Its scientific mission includes evaluating public policies; disseminating findings from evaluation research; promoting a culture of evaluation among policy makers; and training policy evaluators.
The empirical work at FBK-IRVAPP is mainly based on counterfactual impact evaluations and microsimulations.
Current research activities span over several areas, including education policy; social inclusion and protection; labor market policy; industrial policy and fiscal policy.
The institute invites researchers to contribute to its institutional activity in education (profile 1) or fiscal policy (profile 2) research.
This is an excellent opportunity for candidates with a background in the social sciences and who have a strong interest in public policy evaluation and producing empirical evidence to improve public policy.
More information about FBK-IRVAPP is available at https://irvapp.
bk.
u/ FBK actively seeks diversity and inclusion in the workplace and is also committed to promoting gender equality.
Job Description The FBK-IRVAPP is looking for a candidate that fits one of the following profiles.
Profile 1 – Quantitative Researcher in education policy The research fellow will contribute to and expand the institute's research and evaluation related to education policy.
The researcher will work on education-related projects aimed at building evidence on effective interventions and outcomes on the topics of a) education technology investments and use in school settings; or b) interventions to promote equal educational opportunities and inclusion.
The researcher may contribute to other projects in education or training, based on their specific expertise and interests, as well as proposals and projects related to education.
Projects may include running randomized controlled trials, performing mixed-methods evaluations, or setting up monitoring systems.
The research fellow is expected to have substantive knowledge on education and, particularly, on issues related to either a) education technology investments and use in school settings or b) educational inequality and financial aid policy.
Advanced quantitative skills and proficiency in counterfactual methods for policy evaluation are valued.
Profile 2 – Quantitative Researcher in fiscal policy The research fellow will contribute to and expand the institute's research on ex-ante distributional assessments of fiscal policies.
The candidate will help develop and maintain a local tax-benefit microsimulation model for households and firms.
This task will be complemented by scientific research on the impacts of tax and benefit policies including budgetary impact, distributional effects and work incentives.
Additionally, the candidate will participate in projects evaluating specific industrial and innovation policy interventions at local, national, and international levels.
The candidate may also contribute to other projects on public finance flows at both national and local levels and standard expenditure needs of the local authorities.
The successful candidate will have research interest and knowledge in taxation-related topics, welfare policy, innovation policy evaluation, labor economics.
Experience and proficiency in counterfactual methods for policy evaluation and microsimulation modeling are valued.
Main Tasks.
The candidate for any of the two profiles is expected to.
Collaborate with other researchers to develop and lead research and evaluation studies; Contribute to the preparation of proposals for competitive national and international research grants; Write project reports as well as scientific research articles on the research work done; Work with the other researchers to interpret research findings from a policy perspective and disseminate the results through briefs, blogs, presentations or other strategic communication.
The ideal candidate should have.
PhD in Social Science (Economics, Public Policy, Political Science, Sociology, Statistics or other fields) or a relevant/equivalent research experience; Demonstrated interest in public policy evaluation and evidence-based policy; Relevant publication activity in the fields of the call; Experience in the management of research projects and data collection protocols; Demonstrated quantitative and analytical skills; Working knowledge of Stata and, possibly, R; Strong writing and oral communication skills; Oral and written proficiency in English; At least intermediate level in Italian.
If not proficient in Italian, commitment to acquire it on the job; Excellent interpersonal skills and willingness to work effectively in a team, as well as independently.
Other valued skills and experience.
Excellent programming skills; Experience of organizing academic workshops or similar events; Documented international research experience; Excellent time management, planning and organizational skills (possibly documented in terms of specific activities/positions covered).
Employment.
Type of contract.
fixed term contract, with the possibility to extend the contract depending on funding; Work time.
full time (38 h per week); Gross annual salary.
about € plus objectives achievements bonus Start date.
preferably from September Duration.
3 years Work Place.
Trento (Italy).
Benefits.
flexi-time, company subsidized cafeteria or meal vouchers, internal car park, welcome office support for visa formalities, accommodation, social security (SANIFONDS), family-work balance, free training courses, support on bank account opening, discount on public transport, sport, language course fees.
More info at https://www.
bk.
u/en/work-with-us/ Application.
Interested candidates are requested to submit their application by completing the online form (https://jobs.
bk.
u/).
Please make sure that your application contains the following attachments (in pdf format).
full CV (including statement of research interest and the name of two referees); list of publications; Motivation letter regarding the profile of interest; Shortlisted candidates may be required to send a selected chapter of their Ph.
.
thesis, or a published article or a working paper, to the selection committee.
Application deadline.
Please read our Recruitment Regulations before completing your application.
For further information or technical issues regarding the application, please contact the Human Resources Services at .