PhD Position in Econometrics, Operations Research and/or Social Choice

Welcome to Maastricht University!
The world is changing rapidly – and so are we. At Maastricht University, you make a difference: by developing new methods, addressing societal challenges, and collaborating with partners in practice. In our international and engaged community, you will have the space to grow – as a researcher and as a person.

PhD Position in Econometrics, Operations Research and/or Social Choice

• Our goal: To develop boundary-pushing research with meaningful societal impact.
• Your colleagues: An international and interdisciplinary team within the School of Business and Economics in the area of Actuarial Sciences, Econometrics, Mathematical Economics and Game Theory, Machine Learning and Operations Research.

Within the School of Business and Economics (SBE) at Maastricht University (UM), we are looking for a PhD candidate who wants to contribute to innovative research in Econometrics, Operations Research and/or Social Choice. You will join one of two projects, both positioned at the intersection of theory, data, and societal application.

In the first project, you will work on data-driven decision-making in modern operations. Many organizations rely on both prediction and optimization to make complex decisions – from hospital resource planning to energy management. In this PhD project, you will develop new methods that closely integrate predictive models with (heuristic-enhanced) optimization techniques. You will train machine learning models with the final optimization problem in mind, ensuring transparency and explainability in decision support. You will collaborate with real-world partners, including a university hospital, last-mile logistics providers, and energy companies.

The second project focuses on participatory budgeting: a democratic innovation that enables citizens to decide how public budgets are spent. You will combine insights from combinatorial optimization and computational social choice to develop theoretical results on fairness and incentive compatibility. In collaboration with participatory budgeting initiatives in the city of Maastricht, you will translate these insights into concrete policy recommendations.

The PhD position is within the Department of Quantitative Economics, details on the department can be found here: https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/research/department-quantitative-economics.

Our department hosts a vibrant, culturally diverse PhD community and warmly welcomes enthusiastic and talented new PhD candidates.

Are you analytically strong, curious, and motivated to connect theory with practice? We would love to meet you.

What you bring
It’s not about ticking boxes – it’s about who you are and what you bring. Do you recognize yourself in this profile?

• Analytical and curious – You enjoy exploring complex problems and developing solutions that truly matter.
• Strong in modeling and programming – You preferably work with Python, Julia, Java, or C++, and translate theory into code with ease.
• Methodologically driven – You hold (or are close to completing) a Master’s degree in Operations Research, Econometrics, (Applied) Mathematics, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, with excellent results.
• Collaborative by nature – You enjoy working with colleagues from different disciplines as well as external partners.
• Independent and proactive – You take initiative and shape your own research development.
• Fluent in English – You communicate clearly and confidently in writing and speaking within an international academic environment.

The starting date is negotiable, but we aim to fill the position before September 2026.

What we offer
At Maastricht University, you’ll work in an international, open, and engaged environment. We offer:

• A 18-month contract of 1 FTE with the prospect of a 2.5 year extension, based on mutual satisfaction.
• A gross monthly salary starting from €3059,00 towards €3881,00 in 4 years (based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week). 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus.
• 29 vacation days (based on full-time), four additional days off (Carnival Monday and Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day).
• Flexible working hours, a home office allowance, and the option to work from home.
• Freedom and space to shape your work independently and develop your ideas.
• A close-knit community of colleagues to collaborate and grow with.
• A solid pension plan via ABP, company fitness schemes, and access to various university sports facilities.
• An inspiring work environment in the heart of Europe.

Curious?
Are you motivated to develop new methods and apply them to impactful real-world problems? If so, these projects offer a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of methodology, data, and practice. 
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? For the first project please contact Lissa Melis (lissa.melis@maastrichtuniversity.nl) or Ines Wilms (i.wilms@maastrichtuniversity.nl) for further information, and for the second project feel free to contact Tom Demeulemeester (tom.demeulemeester@maastrichtuniversity.nl) or Marc Schröder (m.schroder@maastrichtuniversity.nl).

Applying?
Are you convinced and ready to become our new PhD-Candidate? Apply now, no later than 15 June 2026, via de applicatio button. 
The evaluation of candidates will begin mid-March and continues until the position is filled. Promising candidates will be contacted by email. The proposed starting date is 1 September 2026.

Applicants are requested to submit the following:
•    Motivation letter, in which you describe your interest in the position.
•    CV
•    Grade list
•    The names of at least two relevant scholars for reference letters
•    Optional: A research proposal

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.


The School of Business and Economics
The School of Business and Economics (SBE) is one of Maastricht University’s six faculties. Our mission is to contribute to a better world by addressing societal problems, by co-creating knowledge and developing team players and leaders for the future. 

By joining SBE, you will be part of the 1% of business schools worldwide to be Triple Crown accredited (EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA). You will join an inspiring and international environment, where learning and development is priority. 

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM and strive to enable this.