Steunpunt Werk is a policy-oriented research center of the Faculty of Economics and Business of the KU Leuven. We aim for independent state-of-the-art academic and policy research on labour market issues with economic tools (see www.steunpuntwerk.be (in Dutch)).
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Project
The green transition, rapid technological change and a shifting geopolitical landscape are reshaping economies and labour markets across Europe. These developments create an urgent need for better evidence on how skills are formed, supplied and demanded over time. For various stakeholders, reliable skills forecasts are becoming essential tools for designing effective education, training and reskilling policies. In Flanders, as in many other European regions, macro-level skills forecasting is increasingly seen as a cornerstone of forward-looking labour market policy. Steunpunt Werk has been commissioned by the Flemish Government to develop such forecasts for Flanders. This work aims to improve our understanding of future labour market imbalances by bringing together information on labour supply, labour demand, occupations, sectors and skills.
This four year PhD project will contribute to that agenda by focusing on the future supply of skills among school leavers. You will develop and apply forecasting methods to estimate how new graduates enter the labour market, how their skills can be measured and classified, and how these skills align with current and future labour market demand. The PhD project will pay particular attention to differences by sector, occupation and skill profile, and will use rich Flemish labour market and education data.
As a PhD researcher, you will conduct innovative academic research on school-leaver forecasts, skills mapping and skills mismatch. You will also contribute to the broader development of labour supply forecasting models, including models of the future workforce. The project offers scope to engage with key debates in education economics, labour economics and policy evaluation, including the role of education systems in responding to technological change, demographic shifts and structural transformation.
A central aim of the PhD is to translate rigorous empirical research into clear, evidence-based policy insights. Your findings will help inform policymakers, education and training providers, public employment services and other labour market stakeholders. By combining advanced quantitative research with direct policy relevance, this project offers the opportunity to contribute both to the international academic literature and to the development of more effective skills and labour market policies in Flanders and beyond.
The PhD research is part of the project of Steunpunt Werk that is subsidized by the Flemish government and supervised by Prof. Sarah Vansteenkiste and Prof. Kristof De Witte.
Profile
The Centre of Expertise on Labour market monitoring and forecasting ‘Steunpunt Werk’ (KU Leuven) is looking for an enthusiastic and motivated junior scholar to conduct a PhD in labour market economics. The candidate should have the following qualifications:
- Important and binding eligibility condition to apply and to start the PhD in (applied) economics at KU Leuven: You hold a one or two year advanced research master in (applied) economics that consists of advanced courses (for economics: comparable to the ‘Master of Science in Advanced Studies in Economics’ degree from KU Leuven; or the ‘Master of Research in Economics’ at European University Institute).
- Having at least ‘cum laude’ (honors) during your initial master years (preferably also during your advanced research master).
- You have strong skills in statistical, econometric and quantitative data analysis and experience with statistical packages; and are keen on developing these skills further.
- Enthusiastic and motivated to do research.
- You are proficient in English; your knowledge of Dutch language is a strong advantage.
- You have very good scientific writing skills.
- You are a team player that is able to work independently.
- Successful candidates are required to enter the PhD program in (applied) economics of the Faculty of Economics and Business of KU Leuven (see https://feb.kuleuven.be/research/phd/phd).
Offer
- Our internationally renowned doctoral program in (applied) economics is an individualized PhD training that consists of four years of full-time study. It eventually leads to a PhD degree and prepares the student for an academic career or a career as a researcher in a policy institution.
- The candidate is expected to prepare a PhD at Steunpunt Werk under the supervision of Professor Sarah Vansteenkiste and Professor Kristof De Witte. You will join a dynamic and policy oriented research environment that focusses on labour market monitoring and forecasting.
- We offer a competitive full-time PhD scholarship. The position is for 4 years, conditional upon a positive evaluation after 1 year.
- We offer additional benefits in terms of health insurance, reduced public transport prices, free bicycle use, access to university sports facilities, …
- KU Leuven offers opportunities to follow academic, skills and career training courses.
- Working in an attractive international environment.
- You are expected to participate in seminars and will occasionally be involved in teaching activities including supervision of exams.
- Start date – September 1, 2026, but there is some flexibility to start at a different moment in time.
- Once the PhD study is completed, you receive a PhD in (Applied) Economics.
Interested?
To apply for the position, please prepare the following documents:
• A curriculum vitae
• An overview of your study results (certified copies of diplomas and transcripts).
• A letter of motivation (max. 500 words).
• A research proposal with at least three topics you would like to study and that fall within the research project described above (max. 500 words).
For more information please contact Prof. Sarah Vansteenkiste, mail: [email protected] or Prof. dr. Kristof De Witte, mail: [email protected], Professors at KU Leuven – https://www.kuleuven.be/wieiswie/nl/person/00062316 and www.feb.kuleuven.be/kristof.dewitte - email: [email protected]; [email protected].
KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.
