Steunpunt Werk is a policy-oriented research centre within the Faculty of Economics and Business at KU Leuven, which helps to support and guide Flemish labour market policy through labour market research, analyses, statistics and advice. Various policy-relevant and topical research themes form the core of our work. Based on these research themes, we offer a comprehensive range of statistics and forecasting, as well as our own publications. Our research is highly relevant to society and consistently informs Flemish labour market policy. At full strength, our team consists of around ten staff members and one administrative assistant, led by Prof. dr. Sarah Vansteenkiste. The co-supervisors of the Steunpunt Werk are Prof. dr. Kristof De Witte, Prof. dr. Luc Sels and Prof. dr. Wim Van Lancker.
The PhD researcher will be supervised by Prof. Dr Sarah Vansteenkiste and Prof. Dr Kristof De Witte.
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Project
At both the Flemish and European level, there is a growing recognition of the importance of skills forecasting as a tool for a future-proof approach to labour market changes and challenges that affect businesses and citizens (see Mario Draghi’s competitiveness report (2024), the Flemish Governance Agree-ment 2024–2029, the policy paper ‘Vlaanderen leert’ (2025), the productivity agenda of the Flemish Government (2025), and so on). Developments such as the green transition, the digital transition and advances in artificial intelligence, together with geopolitical shocks, are driving significant labour market transformations, which heighten the need for targeted talent and reskilling strategies. Steunpunt Werk has therefore been commissioned by the Flemish Government to develop skills forecasts at macrolevel for Flanders. These forecasts will provide an overview of future labour demand and supply at the level of sectors, occupations and competences. By comparing the expected changes on both the demand and supply sides, we identify potential future mismatches, enabling labour market stakeholders – such as policymakers, sectors, organisations, training providers and intermediaries – to better anticipate these developments. We develop the forecasts in stages, using separate building blocks on the demand and supply sides, which we also offer as standalone products. By developing these forecasts for Flanders, we are supporting more forward-looking (policy) thinking, so that policymakers and other stakeholders not only take account of the ‘as is’ situation on the Flemish labour market, but also receive indications of future developments.
This four-year PhD project will contribute to this important policy-oriented research and focuses primarily on the supply side of the labour market, and more specifically on school leavers and workers. You will develop forecasting models to help estimate which occupations school leavers may enter in the future, what skills they may bring with them, and how this relates to the skills in demand on the labour market. You will also investigate how those currently in employment can help shape the future labour supply through reskilling, upskilling or career transitions. A key area to be explored here is how we can measure and classify the skills of school leavers and workers in Flanders, and how these skills align with current and future labour market demand. The PhD project will pay particular attention to differences across sectors, occupations and skill profiles.
The project offers the opportunity to make a significant academic contribution and to engage with key debates in the fields of the economics of education, labour economics and policy evaluation, including the role of education systems in responding to technological changes, demographic shifts and structural transformations. Furthermore, this PhD programme has strong policy relevance, and a key objective is to translate this rigorous empirical research into clear policy insights. Your findings will help policymakers, education and training providers, public employment services and other labour market stakeholders to make well-informed decisions. 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.
Profile
We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated junior researcher to carry out PhD research in labour market economics. The candidate must meet the following criteria:
- You hold a Master’s degree in a relevant field of study and have achieved at least ‘cum laude’ or a distinction (preferably also during your advanced research Master’s, if you undertook one). This is an important and mandatory entry requirement for applying for and commencing the PhD programme in (Applied) Economics at KU Leuven: https://admin.kuleuven.be/reglementen/en/education/phd-students/phdregulation-feb#autotoc-item-autotoc-3.
- An advanced research Master’s in (applied) economics is an advantage, but we are also open to candidates without this additional qualification.
- You have strong skills in statistical, econometric and quantitative data analysis and have experience with statistical software packages; furthermore, you are keen to develop these skills further.
- You are enthusiastic and motivated to conduct research.
- You speak and write fluently in Dutch; this is an important requirement given that you will be working in a Flemish context, including with Flemish policymakers. You are also proficient in English.
- You have excellent academic writing skills.
- You are a driven researcher, quality-oriented and of high integrity. You are able to work as part of a team, but also with a high degree of independence.
- You are able to cope well under pressure and can set priorities to ensure deadlines are met; you work efficiently and purposefully.
- You can communicate fluently, transparently and professionally with various stakeholders, including colleagues, public authorities, businesses and interest groups, both in writing and orally.
- Successful candidates must enrol in the PhD programme in (Applied) Economics at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at 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.
- Once the PhD study is completed, you receive a PhD in (Applied) Economics.
- Start date – As soon as possible
Interested?
For more information please contact Prof. dr. Sarah Vansteenkiste and Prof. Dr. Kristof De Witte, Professors at KU Leuven. All applications have to go via the official KU Leuven online system. No applications via email will be considered.
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