Traineeship - PhD level
[image: inomics]
Posted on Nov 09, 2010
European Central Bank (Other)
Application Deadline on Jan 09, 2011
[image: Traineeship - PhD level]
[image: inomics]


The International Policy Analysis Division of the European Central Bank
(ECB) is seeking applications from PhD students for several traineeships in
the area of international finance, new open economy macroeconomics and
international monetary economics.

The International Policy Analysis Division provides analysis on
policy-relevant international economic and financial issues. More
specifically, it deals with issues in three main areas: (i) global economic
policy issues, such as global macro-prudential analysis, global current
account imbalances, international financial linkages, patterns in trade and
capital flows, and global exchange rate configurations; (ii) issues related
to the international monetary system; and (iii) issues related to emerging
market economies, with a focus on systemically important countries in Asia
and Latin America, including their relevance for the global economy and the
euro area. In this context, the Division is also responsible for preparing
ECB/Eurosystem/ESCB positions on international policy issues.

The traineeships will provide a unique opportunity for PhD students to carry
out a research project in collaboration with staff members of the Division.
The objective of these projects is for each trainee to write a paper that is
thorough in its analytical content and identifies clear policy implications.
The papers should be highly relevant for the responsibilities of the
Division and meet the highest academic standards. They may be published in
the ECB's Working Paper Series and in academic journals. The trainee s are
expected to play a key role in designing and carrying out the projects
together with the Division's staff. Applicants are asked to indicate the
area in which they would like to pursue a traineeship. They are invited to
submit ideas or short proposals for projects relating to this area, although
this is not compulsory for the application. Applicants are also asked to
submit relevant written work or academic papers, if possible.

The projects may fall into one of the following areas:

*Global economic developments *

Global rebalancing and the re-emergence of large external and internal
imbalances have been the focus of policy debate in recent years. Potential
projects in this area would aim at investigating linkages between the
international monetary regime and international trade, capital flows and
global financial stability. For example, tools may be developed to analyse
the main risks facing the world economy from a global perspective or for
assessing the impact of systemic events at the global level. Other projects
may concern the dynamics of global trade, competitiveness of emerging
countries or foreign exchange reserve accumulation.

*International financial architecture *

The global financial crisis has sparked discussions on the set-up and
functioning of the international monetary system. The debate is encompassing
issues such as exchange rate regimes; reserve accumulation; capital flow
volatility; reserve currencies and the role of the SDR; capital account
liberalisation and the role of the IMF; traction of global surveillance over
countries' policies and measures, including bilateral and multilateral IMF
surveillance, as well as the G20 mutual assessment process; IMF lending
toolkit; etc.

*Emerging market economies in the global economy *

Following the global financial crisis, the policy debate increasingly
emphasises the role of China, in particular, and emerging market economies,
more generally, in driving and rebalancing global growth. The debate is
encompassing, inter alia, issues such as trade and global imbalances,
determinants of savings and investment across countries, exchange rate
policies in emerging market economies, reserve accumulation and adequacy,
the global and domestic implications of capital flows, protectionism, global
and regional interlinkages and spillovers, etc.

Concrete projects in these areas will be selected in light of developments
in the international debate at the time of the traineeship and the profile
of the potential candidate. Candidates are also encouraged to submit own
proposals related to the above-mentioned areas.
Qualifications

The successful candidate must have the following knowledge and competencies:
Excellent knowledge of macroeconomics, international finance, new open
economy macroeconomics or international monetary economics, as applicable
for each project.  Applicants should have completed, or be close to
completing, the coursework of their PhD programmes.  A good oral and written
command of English and a satisfactory knowledge of one other official
language of the EU are required. Behavioural Competencies

The successful candidate will have the following behavioural competencies:
good communication skills;  ability to establish and maintain cooperative
relationships with staff and management at all levels; ability to
independently manage his/her workload;  sense of initiative and commitment;
conscientious attitude;  ability to work efficiently;  orientation towards
analysis and delivering results;  ability to prioritise tasks and pay
attention to detail, even when under time pressure. Term of Traineeship /
Closing date

Each traineeship will be for a period of three to six months. Applicants
should specify the earliest date on which they could start an traineeship.

*Closing date for applications: *9 January 2011
Further information

Applications are to be made in English and submitted using our online
application form. An "Applicants' Guide" can be downloaded from the
"FAQs & Help" page.

Candidates should submit a detailed curriculum vitae, in addition to the
standard online form.

Applicants are also asked to submit relevant written work or academic
papers, if possible. Applicants should also submit a complete record of
undergraduate and postgraduate studies (with a list of courses and grades),
and letters of recommendation from their supervisors or faculty members. The
documents should be uploaded as a single .doc or .pdf file.

Further information on the ECB?s Traineeships Rules can be found at
http://www.ecb.europa.eu/ecb/jobs/html/index.en.html.