Job Title:  Postdoctoral Researcher - Forecasting with Feedback (f/m/d)

Important Note: Applications will only be accepted on EconJobMarket

The Department of Economics of the Central European University (CEU) invites applications for the position of Postdoctoral Researcher for the duration of two years.

We are looking for an outstanding postdoctoral researcher to join our project on “Forecasting with Feedback.” In this project, we will combine applied economic theory, macroeconomic modeling, and econometric techniques to study the properties of forecasts that are subject to feedback. The case in point is inflation forecasts produced by a central bank, which play a dual role. They are meant to provide an accurate prediction of realized inflation over some horizon but, at the same time, they also serve as an input for setting monetary policy. Feedback occurs because monetary policy affects future inflation --- the outcome that the forecast is meant to predict. Our existing work on this problem is summarized by this research paper. In future research we plan to i) extend this model in various directions so that it can be taken to the data in a more disciplined and realistic way; ii) relate the implications of the model to the literature on monetary policy regime changes in the U.S.; iii) collect data from various other central banks around the world to test the observable implications of the model more generally.

The position will be based at the Department of Economics at Central European University for the duration of two years. The position will start August 1, 2026. The Principal Investigator for this project is Robert Lieli. The work is joint with Augusto Nieto Barthaburu (Universidad Nacional de Tucuman) while Katrin Rabitsch (Vienna University of Economics and Business) provides advice on macroeconomic modeling.

Qualifications

• PhD in economics or a related field, or close to completion.
• Expertise and research background in either forecasting, macroeconomics (monetary policy and inflation), or macroeconometrics.
• Evidence of the capacity to prepare excellent publications.
• Commitment to high quality research.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.
• Effective written and verbal communication and time management skills.
• Fluency in English.

What to expect

• You will conduct innovative and high-quality research on forecasting processes subject to feedback, particularly inflation forecasting in central banks.
• You will have a central role in all aspects of the research process, from model building, data collection and analysis to the drafting and publishing of academic papers.
• You will be part of a department that regularly delivers high-impact research published in top international academic journals.
• You will have time available to advancing your own research agenda.
• You are encouraged to contribute to the overall activities of the Department and attend seminars.
• You will be encouraged to gain experience in the supervision of research assistants and students.
• The position is based in Vienna and requires regular presence at the department.

What We Offer

We offer a competitive yearly gross salary of about 68,000 EUR/year including a pension plan, meal vouchers, health and well-being benefits, and professional development opportunities.

How to apply

Applications should only be submitted through EconJobMarket.

Applications should include a cover letter, two letters of reference, a curriculum vitae, and a published or unpublished research paper. Applications should be submitted through the econjobmarket.org website.

Review of applications will start immediately and continue until the position is filled.

For further information about this position, please contact Judit Lafferthon (lafferthonj@ceu.edu).

CEU is an equal opportunity employer and values geographical and gender diversity, thus encouraging applications from women and/or other underrepresented groups. Since CEU strives to increase the share of women in professorial positions, given equal qualifications, preference will be given to female applicants. CEU recognizes that personal and family circumstances shape the trajectory of one’s career and working patterns. As such, and in line with CEU’s promotion of Equal Opportunities, we encourage applicants to detail periods of leave, part-time work or other such situations in their applications so that the Search Committee is able to assess an applicant’s academic record fairly in the context of their circumstances. Any declaration of personal and family circumstances is voluntary and will be handled confidentially and only considered in so far as it impacts on the academic career of an applicant.

About CEU

One of the world’s most international universities, a unique founding mission positions Central European University as both an acclaimed center for the study of economic, historical, social and political challenges, and a source of support for building open and democratic societies that respect human rights and human dignity. CEU is accredited in the United States and Austria, and offers English-language bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in the social sciences, the humanities, law, environmental sciences, management and public policy. CEU enrolls more than 1,400 students from over 100 countries, with faculty from over 50 countries.

In 2019, CEU relocated from Hungary to Austria as the Hungarian government revoked its ability to issue US-accredited degrees in the country. As a result, CEU offers all of its degree programs in Vienna, Austria; and retains a non-degree, research and civic engagement presence in Budapest, Hungary, through its CEU Democracy Institute, the Institute for Advanced Study, the CEU Summer University and The Vera and Donald Blinken Open Society Archives (OSA), and its Hungarian language public educational programs and public lectures.

For more information, please visit https://www.ceu.edu/.