Postdoctoral Position in Rational Inattention (m/f/d)
Your tasks
- You will conduct innovative and high-quality research on Rational Inattention and costly learning.
- You will have a central role in all aspects of the research process, from developing theory, coding and/or experiments to the drafting and publishing of academic papers.
- You will have time dedicated to advancing your own research agenda.
- You will supervise and mentor graduate students and research assistants and, to a limited extent, support teaching initiatives.
- You will take a leadership role in organizing workshops, preparing grant proposals, and collaborating on publications.
- You are encouraged to contribute to the overall activities of the Department and attend seminars.
- The position is based in the beautiful city of St.Gallen, Switzerland, and requires regular presence at the department.
Your profile
- A Ph.D. (completed or near completion) in Economics, with a strong background in behavioral economics, numerical methods and/or economic theory.
- Demonstrated enthusiasm and ambition for conducting high-quality research.
- Hands-on experience with designing and running experiments (lab, online, or field), including coding skills in Qualtrics, JavaScript, oTree, or similar platforms.
- Ability to work independently, think creatively and contribute collaboratively in a dynamic team environment.
- Effective written and verbal English-language communication and time management skills.
- Evidence of the capacity to prepare excellent publications.
Compensation:
Compensation is based on the cantonal salary scales available at https://
www.gesetzessammlung.sg.ch/frontend/annex_document_dictionaries/3246
(Klasse F8).
Project Overview:
We use the "ignorance equivalent" approach to Rational Inattention [Müller-Itten et al, 2024] that equates access to learning with a larger menu of fictitious payoffs. Building on these insights, the project aims to shed light on the interplay between preference traits and learning behavior. The main objectives are:
- Develop numeric algorithms that efficiently determine the optimal rational inattentive choice for a range of (uniformly posterior separable) learning cost functions beyond Shannon entropy.
- Use these algorithms to simulate the behavioral impact of different cost functions in concrete settings, and compare it with documented patterns of behavior.
- Design and deploy an experimental protocol that allows us to measure perceived learning costs.
- Implement the protocol in several choice experiments (both online and in the lab) to identify key features that drive the cost of learning.
- Experimentally compare perceived versus experienced learning costs to uncover potential biases.
- Identify how risk attitudes shape the agent's incentives to learn.
How to apply:
Applications should include a cover letter, two letters of reference, a curriculum vitae, and a published or unpublished research paper. In the cover letter, briefly describe your research interests, your motivation for joining the project, and how your background fits the position. Please arrange for two letters of reference to be submitted via direct email to Prof. Michèle Müller-Itten (michele.mueller-itten@unisg.ch). Review of applications will start immediately and continue until the position is filled. For further information about this position, please contact Prof. Michèle Müller-Itten.
Inspirational Work Environment
Executive Education
Network
Family & Career
Equal Opportunities
Fit and Healthy
Inspirational Work Environment
At the HSG, as Europe's leading business university, we operate in an entrepreneurial environment where you will meet highly qualified, ambitious experts - both regionally and internationally. For example, you benefit from a modern IT infrastructure and, in our library via HSGswisscovery, from nationwide access to the wealth of scientific information available.
Executive Education
We support internal and external executive education opportunities. Our internal executive education programme offers you a practical, dedicated and didactically mature transfer of knowledge in the form of seminars, e-learning, coaching and collegial advice. We support task-specific external training and executive education financially as well as with regard to the time required.
Network
We promote our culture of cross-functional collaboration and create space for forging valuable relationships - also with external partners. Regular exchanges and internal events help to strengthen these relationships and make them long-lasting.
Family & Career
We provide our employees with flexible work time models with a variable number of hours per week. As a family-friendly employer, we offer part-time positions, 16 weeks of maternity leave and a subsidised crèche, as well as support with childcare during the vacations.
Equal Opportunities
The University enables equal opportunities for all employees and students. This applies to degree courses and work, as well as academic careers, university management positions and the reconciliation of studies, work and private commitments. We are committed to this with various measures in the areas of teaching, research, administration and the Presidency.
Fit and Healthy
We help you stay fit and healthy. In addition to our diverse range of sports activities at the university, most of which are free of charge, and campaign weeks for corporate health management, we also offer you fruit in the workplace. In our canteen you will find a wide selection of freshly prepared meals - from vegetarian to fish dishes - at discounted prices.
Further information on working at the HSG can be found here.
For job-related questions
Assistant Professor of Microeconomics
"I'm excited to work on this project with you!"
Institute Manager Administration ERP-HSG
"I'm looking forward to welcome you as a new team member at ERP-HSG."
Your place of work
University of St.Gallen
«A place where knowledge is created» - As one of Europe's leading universities of economics and business administration, the University of St.Gallen (HSG), Switzerland, is committed to the education of over 9800 students. The HSG is one of the largest employers in the region and provides an attractive and innovative environment for more than 3300 researchers, educators and professional staff.
