This website uses cookies

We, and third parties, use cookies on our website. We use cookies to ensure that our website functions properly, to store your preferences, to gain insight into visitor behavior, but also for marketing and social media purposes (showing personalized advertisements). By clicking 'Accept', you agree to the use of all cookies. In our Cookie Statement. you can read more about the cookies we use and save or change your preferences. By clicking 'Refuse' you only agree to the use of functional cookies.

NL
EN

PhD position in Operations Research: Innovative mathematical methods for tax system optimization

  • Faculty of Economics and Business
  • 14851
  • Master's
  • €3.059 - €3.881
  • Closes on
    31-03-2026
Apply

PhD position in Operations Research: Innovative mathematical methods for tax system optimization

  • Faculty of Economics and Business
  • 14851
  • Master's
  • €3.059 - €3.881
  • Closes on
    31-03-2026
Apply

Working at the UvA

PhD Project: Developing innovative mathematical methods for tax system optimization

Towards transparent and effective tax systems: a breakthrough in fiscal optimization

Tax systems in developed economies have evolved into intricate frameworks where dozens of rules and exceptions interact in complex ways. What began as legitimate reforms, aimed at redistribution, labour market incentives, or support for vulnerable groups, has resulted in opaque tax codes where even minor adjustments can trigger unpredictable consequences. 

Policymakers and civil servants grapple with fundamental questions: What are the real effects of a new tax rate? What unintended incentives are we creating? And how can we design reforms that are both equitable and economically efficient?

TaxSolver, an innovative optimization tool developed by the Dutch Ministry of Finance, offers a new approach: designing optimal tax systems based on clearly defined policy objectives and constraints. However, the current version faces limitations in computational power and methodology.

This project will push those boundaries.

We tackle the biggest challenges: scaling up to national datasets, generating diverse reform scenarios, integrating deductibles and behavioural effects, multi-year reform planning, and joint optimization of rates and brackets. By deploying advanced techniques, from problem decomposition to robust optimization and constraint learning, we will transform TaxSolver into a powerful instrument for evidence-based policymaking.

The impact extends far beyond the Netherlands.

In collaboration with the Dutch Ministry of Finance, the UK Tax Authority, and the World Bank's tax development team, we are working on solutions applicable in both developed and developing countries. The result? A breakthrough in how governments worldwide can design tax reforms that are both politically feasible and socially effective, grounded in data, optimization, and science, not intuition alone.

Working at the UvA

PhD Project: Developing innovative mathematical methods for tax system optimization

Towards transparent and effective tax systems: a breakthrough in fiscal optimization

Tax systems in developed economies have evolved into intricate frameworks where dozens of rules and exceptions interact in complex ways. What began as legitimate reforms, aimed at redistribution, labour market incentives, or support for vulnerable groups, has resulted in opaque tax codes where even minor adjustments can trigger unpredictable consequences. 

Policymakers and civil servants grapple with fundamental questions: What are the real effects of a new tax rate? What unintended incentives are we creating? And how can we design reforms that are both equitable and economically efficient?

TaxSolver, an innovative optimization tool developed by the Dutch Ministry of Finance, offers a new approach: designing optimal tax systems based on clearly defined policy objectives and constraints. However, the current version faces limitations in computational power and methodology.

This project will push those boundaries.

We tackle the biggest challenges: scaling up to national datasets, generating diverse reform scenarios, integrating deductibles and behavioural effects, multi-year reform planning, and joint optimization of rates and brackets. By deploying advanced techniques, from problem decomposition to robust optimization and constraint learning, we will transform TaxSolver into a powerful instrument for evidence-based policymaking.

The impact extends far beyond the Netherlands.

In collaboration with the Dutch Ministry of Finance, the UK Tax Authority, and the World Bank's tax development team, we are working on solutions applicable in both developed and developing countries. The result? A breakthrough in how governments worldwide can design tax reforms that are both politically feasible and socially effective, grounded in data, optimization, and science, not intuition alone.

All about this vacancy

This is what you will be doing

You will be appointed by the Amsterdam Business School and your main task is to pursue and complete a PhD thesis within the appointed duration of four years. 

Main duties and responsibilities:

  • Follow PhD level coursework;
  • Actively collaborate with the researchers from Amsterdam Business School and the Dutch Ministry of Finance;
  • Present research findings at international conferences;
  • Submit your work to prestigious management science journals;
  • Assist in teaching activities, such as tutorials and MSc thesis supervision.

This is what we ask of you

Formal requirements:

  • Masters’ degree in Business Analytics, Econometrics, Mathematics, with a thorough background in Optimization.

Task-related requirements:

  • Strong motivation and interest in the field of Optimization;
  • Demonstrated expertise in programming with Python;
  • Excellent speaking and writing ability in English, ideally with some experience in academic writing;
  • Strong interpersonal skills to communicate and collaborate with the Ministry of Finance.

Additional requirements:

  • Strong motivation to pursue an international career as a leading scholar;
  • Ability to balance academic contributions, managerial relevance, and scientific integrity;
  • Intellectual curiosity, eagerness to learn, and openness to feedback;
  • An affinity for or interest in economics and/or taxation is a plus.

This is what we offer you

  • A role in which your own initiative and input is strongly valued;
  • An expert supervisory team with experience in supervising PhD students and publishing in top tier journals;
  • A truly international context and participation in a project with high academic and societal impact;
  • The possibility for a longer research visit to the topschools MIT and LBS;
  • An enthusiastic, welcoming, and supportive department of faculty and PhD students;
  • A vibrant, international work environment in the centre of Amsterdam.

We offer full-time employment for the period of 4 years with a probationary period of 18 months, preferably starting from 1 September 2026 (in total, the contract will be for four years, fully funded). 

The UFO profile ‘Promovendus’ (PhD student) applies to this position. This position is classified in scale PR. This means a gross monthly salary between € 3,059 and € 3,881 for full-time employment (38 hours per week), excluding holiday allowance (8%) and year-end bonus (8.3%). The salary scale depends on competences and work experience.

The collective bargaining agreement of Dutch universities applies.

The UvA has an extensive package of fringe benefits, including:

  • 29 days' holiday with full employment & extra holidays between Christmas and the New Year;
  • Excellent work (from home) facilities;
  • Reimbursement of commuting expenses;
  • Pension accrual with ABP;
  • In addition, the UvA offers excellent study and development opportunities and encourages employees to continue their professional development;
  • You may participate in the open UvA lectures with which you can earn up to 30 credits per year.

All about this vacancy

This is what you will be doing

You will be appointed by the Amsterdam Business School and your main task is to pursue and complete a PhD thesis within the appointed duration of four years. 

Main duties and responsibilities:

  • Follow PhD level coursework;
  • Actively collaborate with the researchers from Amsterdam Business School and the Dutch Ministry of Finance;
  • Present research findings at international conferences;
  • Submit your work to prestigious management science journals;
  • Assist in teaching activities, such as tutorials and MSc thesis supervision.

This is what we ask of you

Formal requirements:

  • Masters’ degree in Business Analytics, Econometrics, Mathematics, with a thorough background in Optimization.

Task-related requirements:

  • Strong motivation and interest in the field of Optimization;
  • Demonstrated expertise in programming with Python;
  • Excellent speaking and writing ability in English, ideally with some experience in academic writing;
  • Strong interpersonal skills to communicate and collaborate with the Ministry of Finance.

Additional requirements:

  • Strong motivation to pursue an international career as a leading scholar;
  • Ability to balance academic contributions, managerial relevance, and scientific integrity;
  • Intellectual curiosity, eagerness to learn, and openness to feedback;
  • An affinity for or interest in economics and/or taxation is a plus.

This is what we offer you

  • A role in which your own initiative and input is strongly valued;
  • An expert supervisory team with experience in supervising PhD students and publishing in top tier journals;
  • A truly international context and participation in a project with high academic and societal impact;
  • The possibility for a longer research visit to the topschools MIT and LBS;
  • An enthusiastic, welcoming, and supportive department of faculty and PhD students;
  • A vibrant, international work environment in the centre of Amsterdam.

We offer full-time employment for the period of 4 years with a probationary period of 18 months, preferably starting from 1 September 2026 (in total, the contract will be for four years, fully funded). 

The UFO profile ‘Promovendus’ (PhD student) applies to this position. This position is classified in scale PR. This means a gross monthly salary between € 3,059 and € 3,881 for full-time employment (38 hours per week), excluding holiday allowance (8%) and year-end bonus (8.3%). The salary scale depends on competences and work experience.

The collective bargaining agreement of Dutch universities applies.

The UvA has an extensive package of fringe benefits, including:

  • 29 days' holiday with full employment & extra holidays between Christmas and the New Year;
  • Excellent work (from home) facilities;
  • Reimbursement of commuting expenses;
  • Pension accrual with ABP;
  • In addition, the UvA offers excellent study and development opportunities and encourages employees to continue their professional development;
  • You may participate in the open UvA lectures with which you can earn up to 30 credits per year.

Your place at the UvA

This is where you’ll be working

Education and research at UvA Economics and Business (EB) covers a wide range of fields that includes economics, data science, business administration, business analytics, accountancy, control, econometrics, finance and entrepreneurship. This is organised in 2 Schools: the Amsterdam Business School (ABS) and the Amsterdam School of Economics (ASE). Over 7,000 students are enrolled in our UvA Economics and Business programmes and around 500 employees provide education and support.

  • Find more information about Economics and Business on uva.nl/eb.
  • Find more information about the Amsterdam Business School on abs.uva.nl.
  • Find more information about the Amsterdam School of Economics on ase.uva.nl.

The strengths of our section Business Analytics, lie in artificial intelligence, digital business, statistics and operations research. The section Business Analytics includes about 50 people; faculty members, teaching staff, PhD students and affiliated faculty. The Business Analytics section fosters a lively academic climate. We frequently organise academic seminars and reading groups and regularly invite external visitors. We equally value scientific value on the one hand and societal relevance and impact on the other hand.

More about the UvA

The University of Amsterdam is ambitious, creative and committed. An inspiration to students since 1632, a vanguard player in international science and a partner in innovation.
The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest range of courses on offer. An intellectual hub with 42,000 students, 6,000 staff and 3,000 PhD students. Connected by a culture of curiosity.

Your place at the UvA

This is where you will be working

This is where you’ll be working

Education and research at UvA Economics and Business (EB) covers a wide range of fields that includes economics, data science, business administration, business analytics, accountancy, control, econometrics, finance and entrepreneurship. This is organised in 2 Schools: the Amsterdam Business School (ABS) and the Amsterdam School of Economics (ASE). Over 7,000 students are enrolled in our UvA Economics and Business programmes and around 500 employees provide education and support.

  • Find more information about Economics and Business on uva.nl/eb.
  • Find more information about the Amsterdam Business School on abs.uva.nl.
  • Find more information about the Amsterdam School of Economics on ase.uva.nl.

The strengths of our section Business Analytics, lie in artificial intelligence, digital business, statistics and operations research. The section Business Analytics includes about 50 people; faculty members, teaching staff, PhD students and affiliated faculty. The Business Analytics section fosters a lively academic climate. We frequently organise academic seminars and reading groups and regularly invite external visitors. We equally value scientific value on the one hand and societal relevance and impact on the other hand.

More about the UvA

The University of Amsterdam is ambitious, creative and committed. An inspiration to students since 1632, a vanguard player in international science and a partner in innovation.
The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest range of courses on offer. An intellectual hub with 42,000 students, 6,000 staff and 3,000 PhD students. Connected by a culture of curiosity.

Important to know

Your application & contact

Do you recognize yourself in the profile and are you interested in the position? We are curious to hear from you and look forward to receiving your cover letter and

resume.

For questions about the position please contact Dick den Hertog via [email protected]

Also important:

  • We would like to receive a cover letter and resume as a pdf file.
  • The response period closes on 31 March, 2026. Applications that we receive after the response deadline, that are not sent through the link, or are not complete, we unfortunately cannot consider.
  • The first round of interviews will take place in April or May 2026.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

As an employer, the UvA maintains an equal opportunities policy. We value diversity and are fully committed to being a place where everyone feels at home. We nurture inquisitive minds and perseverance and allow room for persistent questioning. With us, curiosity and creativity are the prevailing culture.
Read more
Studies show that women and members of underrepresented groups only apply for jobs if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Do you meet the educational requirements but not yet all of the requested experience? The UvA encourages you to apply anyway.

Important to know

Your application & contact

Do you recognize yourself in the profile and are you interested in the position? We are curious to hear from you and look forward to receiving your cover letter and

resume.

For questions about the position please contact Dick den Hertog via [email protected]

Also important:

  • We would like to receive a cover letter and resume as a pdf file.
  • The response period closes on 31 March, 2026. Applications that we receive after the response deadline, that are not sent through the link, or are not complete, we unfortunately cannot consider.
  • The first round of interviews will take place in April or May 2026.
As an employer, the UvA maintains an equal opportunities policy. We value diversity and are fully committed to being a place where everyone feels at home. We nurture inquisitive minds and perseverance and allow room for persistent questioning. With us, curiosity and creativity are the prevailing culture.
Studies show that women and members of underrepresented groups only apply for jobs if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Do you meet the educational requirements but not yet all of the requested experience? The UvA encourages you to apply anyway.

Other interesting vacancies for you

View all vacancies

Other interesting vacancies for you

View all vacancies

Don't miss out on your dream job!

Sign up for a job alert and you'll receive automatic updates about new and relevant vacancies.

Don't miss out on your dream job!

Sign up for a job alert and you'll receive automatic updates about new and relevant vacancies.