Predoctoral Researcher On Financial Inclusion

EMBA La Salle; Barcelona; Presencial; EUR 17.000 - 23.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Three-year scholarship

Full-time employment

Tuition covered

Descripción de la vacante

IQS Barcelona invites applications for a Predoctoral Researcher funding contract to work on the project “Financial inclusion tools to address the challenges related to accessing financial services.” The three-year scholarship covers doctoral tuition and provides full-time employment within the CETIS program at IQS School of Management, Universitat Ramon Llull, Barcelona, Spain.

The role focuses on analyzing financial inclusion tools (FITs), developing novel indicators, and assessing the

Formación

• Strong data processing skills including database management and applied statistics.
• Solid methodological background in quantitative analysis for empirical research (econometrics, panel data, statistical computing).
• Experience in statistical programming using Excel, Stata, MATLAB, Python or similar.

Responsabilidades

• Lead core research activities toward the PhD thesis within the project.
• Perform advanced data processing and indicator development.
• Contribute to experimental research components.
• Participate in training activities, research seminars and collaborative initiatives.
• Possibly assist with light teaching duties.

Conocimientos

Data analysis

Econometrics

Panel data

Statistical computing

Educación

Master's degree (MSc) in finance, economics, data science, engineering, or related disciplines

Herramientas

Excel

Stata

MATLAB

Python

Descripción del empleo

Predoctoral Researcher on Financial Inclusion

IQS Barcelona invites applications for a Predoctoral Researcher Funding Contract to work on the project "Financial inclusion tools to address the challenges related to accessing financial services".

The position offers a three-year scholarship and full-time employment starting in March ****, covering doctoral tuition and providing a full employment contract within the Business and Territorial Competitiveness, Innovation and Sustainability (CETIS) program at the IQS School of Management, Universitat Ramon Llull, Barcelona, Spain.

Financial Inclusion (FI) is recognized as a crucial instrument for economic advancement.

This project explores barriers to FI and tools to improve access to financial services.

Key obstacles include high service costs, limited branch access, misaligned risk assessments, poor financial education, and weak regulations.

To address these, the project aims to examine innovative solutions such as microfinance, blockchain, and the formal use of remittances.

By focusing on both supply and demand challenges, the project seeks to identify effective Financial Inclusion Tools (FITs) that can combat poverty and marginalization, extending FI benefits to developing, transition, and developed economies.

In this PhD project we will investigate eight FITs: mobile money, non-bank financial distribution, behavioural credit risk, workers' remittances, adapted financial regulation, financial education, microfinance business models, and blockchain technology.

The Research Will Pursue Three Core Objectives

(i) construct and analyze novel indicators of financial inclusion across regions;

(ii) assess the effectiveness of the FITs; and

(iii) generate and propose new FITs to address access challenges.

This highly data-driven, interdisciplinary effort combines finance and economic sciences, employing advanced econometric techniques, experimental research, and a novel panel dataset.

Key Responsibilities

The doctoral researcher, based at IQS School of Management, will conduct core research activities leading to their PhD thesis within the project "Financial inclusion tools to address the challenges related to accessing financial services".

Responsibilities include advanced data processing and analysis, indicator development, and contribution to experimental research components.

The researcher will also actively participate in training activities, research seminars, and collaborative initiatives led by the Sustainability, Economics and Ethics Research Group (SEE).

Light teaching assistance may also be assigned.

Desired Candidate Profile

We invite applications from candidates with a strong academic background and proven interest in financial inclusion and payments, development economics, financial access data analysis, or related fields.

Applicants should hold a Master's degree (MSc) in finance, economics, data science, engineering, or other relevant disciplines in social or applied sciences.

Strong data processing skills, including experience in database management and applied statistics.

Solid methodological background in quantitative analysis for empirical research (e.g., econometrics, panel data, statistical computing).

Experience in statistical programming and data processing using tools such as Excel, Stata, MATLAB, Python, or similar.

Interest in applied research or experimental design (valued but not mandatory).

Contact Information

For any questions about this position, please contact Dr. Francesc Prior (******) or Dr. Octasiano Valerio (******).

The employment contract will comply with Spanish labor regulations, providing full access to the Spanish Social Security system, including coverage for healthcare, parental leave, and work-related protections.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer.

We promote equality and inclusion.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions or any other characteristic protected by law.

We strongly welcome applications from female candidates as they are currently under?represented at this level in this field of knowledge in our School.

Mission Statement

We also promote scientific and technological knowledge, business transformation and societal progress.

At IQS we look for professionals committed to both these values.

#J-*****-Ljbffr