July 31, 2026
Fully Funded PhD Position – Behavioral, Environmental, and Development Economics at VU Amsterdam
The Department of Spatial Economics at the School of Business and Economics, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is seeking a motivated PhD candidate to join the project “Fostering Sustainable Development with Artificial Intelligence”.
This position offers a unique opportunity to conduct research at the intersection of behavioral, environmental, and development economics, applying AI tools to address societal challenges in domains such as education, health, agriculture, and entrepreneurship.
Location: VU Hoofdgebouw, Amsterdam
Type: PhD, Full-time (3 years)
Teaching Load: 20%
Start Date: September 2026 or September 2027
Application Deadline: 31 July 2026
Supervisor: Associate Professor Dr. Menusch Khadjavi
Research Scope
As a PhD candidate, you will:
Conduct independent, high-quality research in behavioral, environmental, or development economics.
Explore how AI can foster sustainable development, using both experimental and empirical methods.
Work with Liseli Decision Lab, an online/offline participant pool in Zambia with thousands of participants.
Apply methods including online/lab/field experiments, naturally occurring data (e.g., census data), and theory-building.
Receive funding support for field research and conferences.
Develop a job market paper suitable for academic career advancement.
Responsibilities
Perform research at the intersection of behavioral, environmental, and development economics.
Assist in teaching activities (20% of workload).
Participate actively in the Department of Spatial Economics, attending seminars and events.
Engage in the international academic community through conferences, exchanges, and training modules.
Candidate Profile
We are looking for:Eligibility:
(a) Students in their second year of a research master, graduating before September 2026.
(b) Students in their first year of a research master, graduating before September 2027, with tailored coursework and thesis aligned to the project.
Skills & Qualifications:
Strong academic record in economics or related fields.
Interest in behavioral, environmental, and/or development economics.
Ability to conduct independent research and apply creative approaches.
Fluent in English; other languages are an asset.
Employment & Benefits
Salary: €3,059–€3,881 gross/month (full-time), based on education and experience.
Contract: Initial 1-year contract, extended for 2 years after positive evaluation.
Working Hours: 38–40 hours/week, with holiday leave entitlement and optional personalized benefits package.
Additional Benefits: Commuting allowance, end-of-year bonus (8.3%), sports facilities, conference/training opportunities.
Partial remote work possible, but presence in Amsterdam required for teaching and departmental events.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit:
Curriculum Vitae
Motivation letter (1 page)
Academic diplomas and transcripts (original + certified English translation)
One letter of recommendation (preferably from a research master professor)
Academic paper (bachelor/master thesis or article, if available)
English language proficiency assessment (IELTS/TOEFL)
GMAT/GRE results (if available)
Contact: Associate Professor Dr. Menusch Khadjavi – m.khadjavipour@vu.nl
Application Review: Rolling basis until the position is filled; applications via e-mail will not be processed.
About VU Amsterdam – School of Business and Economics
VU Amsterdam emphasizes values-driven education and research, with a focus on sustainable solutions, social impact, and interdisciplinarity.
Department of Spatial Economics: Specializes in urban, regional, transport, and environmental economics, combining theory and empirical methods with multidisciplinary collaboration.
Student & Staff Community: Over 31,000 students, 6,150 staff; strong international environment with emphasis on diversity and inclusion.
Location: Zuidas business district, Amsterdam
Application Process
Submit application with required documents.
Screening of CV by a selection committee.
First interview (hybrid or online).
Second interview on-campus.
Assessment (may include Certificate of Good Conduct and other evaluations).
Optional background check depending on risk profile.
Onboarding as a VU Amsterdam PhD candidate.
This PhD is ideal for highly motivated students seeking international research experience, exposure to AI applications in sustainable development, and opportunities to grow academically while contributing to meaningful social impact.