Job Overview

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in the Econometrics of Life Satisfaction

Position Summary:

We are working to understand the differences in self-reported life satisfaction among individuals, communities, and countries, as a measure of the empirical, experienced human benefits of economic and social conditions, changes, and policies.

Our methods include the Hamiltonian Monte Carlo (HMC) estimation of models describing detailed response (behaviour), in particular using Stan or PyMC.

The successful applicant will have access to major proprietary datasets on subjective well-being, a dedicated high-performance GNU/Linux computation server, and other resources to enable world-class research.

We are also involved in outreach to governments at all levels in advising human-oriented approaches to evaluating and devising policy. See https://lifesatisfaction.ca.

A highly motivated quantitative researcher is sought to carry forward exciting projects in understanding individual, international differences in happiness, during a one-year fellowship at the Institute.  Pending funding, the position may be renewable for a second year

This fellowship is a full-time, residential fellowship for a period of one year, starting in April 1 2022. The postdoctoral fellow will work in the Institute for Health and Social Policy.  The fellow will have access to the full range of resources offered by McGill University, and will be provided with library privileges. The fellow will be expected to partake in research activities (e.g. seminars) at the Institute and in the Department of Economics. Montreal has a thriving economics community, including several other prominent Economics departments besides McGill’s.

The value of the award will be $60,000/year, plus Health and Dental Benefits. Please note, in Quebec postdoctoral stipends are taxable at the Federal level. In Quebec, one may not hold any other position of employment or academic appointment while appointed as a Postdoctoral Fellow.

Please upload a cover letter describing background, qualifications and research interests; a complete CV; academic transcripts from graduate studies; 2 writing samples; and the names and contact information of up to three referees.

The selection committee will begin reviewing completed applications on a rolling basis, starting on Dec 15 until the position is filled.

McGill University is committed to diversity and equity in employment. It welcomes applications from: women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, persons of minority sexual orientation or gender identity, visible minorities, and others who may contribute to diversification.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications

·         A recent (less than 4 years) PhD**  in Economics or Statistics (or allied discipline)

·         A strong interest or focus on subjective well-being research.

·         A particular expertise in the manipulation and econometric analysis of large survey datasets.

·         Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills and excellent written and oral English communication skills.

·         Experience conducting research from design through to research publication, as well as preparing and delivering presentations to a range of audiences, and a demonstrated ability to work with other researchers.

Desired qualifications

·         Expertise with computational, econometric, and ideally Bayesian statistical analysis

·         Experience working in Python

* Any offer to non-Canadian citizens/non-permanent residents is contingent on the candidate obtaining a work permit after an offer has been made and a letter of invitation sent

** Please note: Candidates’ eligibility to hold a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship expires 5 years after the date on which their PhD was awarded, regardless of when they are hired.  Be sure to refer to the following link for further information on eligibility criteria: http://www.mcgill.ca/gps/postdocs/fellows/registration/eligibility.

Annual Salary:

(AMURE Post-Doctoral Fellow Researcher) $34,611.00

Hours per Week:

35 (Full time)

Location:

McGill College 2001

Supervisor:

Associate Professor

Position Start Date:

04/01/2022

Position End Date:

03/31/2023

Deadline to Apply:

03/31/2022

McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, accessibilityrequest.hr@mcgill.ca.

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