Postdoctoral Position in Financial Inclusion and Inclusive Insurance

The Department of Economics at York University invites applications for a full-time Postdoctoral Visitor (PDV) to join an international research program on financial inclusion, household decision-making under risk, and inclusive insurance in developing economies. The successful candidate will also be appointed a Scholar with the RISC Foundation and participate in its Consortium for the 17 Goals Agenda, involving York University, the University of Lausanne, and the University of Liverpool.

This full-time, one-year, in-person appointment is supervised by Professor Ida Ferrara, with the possibility of renewal for a second year, subject to funding availability and satisfactory performance. Anticipated start date: January 1, 2027.

About the Research Program

The program brings together collaborators in Canada, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Morocco, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. It examines how financial inclusion and insurance can strengthen household resilience to economic, health, and climate shocks. Research combines household surveys, econometric analysis, and theoretical modelling, covering insurance demand, financial literacy, trust, gender inequalities, household vulnerability, insurance pricing, risk pooling, portfolio diversification, and sustainable inclusive insurance markets.

The position offers opportunities to lead original empirical research, develop international household datasets, and publish in peer-reviewed journals. The successful candidate will collaborate with an interdisciplinary international network spanning economics, behavioural science, insurance, and risk management, producing research with practical implications for financial inclusion, household resilience, and insurance policy in developing economies.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

• Design household surveys and coordinate pilot studies and data collection with partners in Ethiopia, Morocco, and Indonesia.
• Manage and analyze large household datasets and conduct advanced econometric research.
• Develop research designs and methodologies, and lead or contribute to peer-reviewed publications.
• Mentor students and research assistants.
• Contribute to workshops, conferences, policy outputs, and coordination across partner institutions.

The position offers opportunities for intellectual leadership and independent research. International travel may be required. Occasional teaching may be available depending on departmental needs.

Qualifications

Applicants must have a PhD in Economics or a closely related discipline by the start date; research experience applying microeconomic or quantitative behavioural analysis to development, financial inclusion, labour, health, or risk-related topics; strong econometric and quantitative skills; experience with household or other micro-level data; proficiency in Stata, R, Python, or equivalent software; excellent communication skills; and a strong research record with potential for high-quality peer-reviewed publications.

Preferred qualifications include experience with survey design or fieldwork; experimental or quasi-experimental research; research in developing economies; knowledge of financial inclusion, insurance, household risk, or poverty and vulnerability; mentoring; and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Salary and Benefits

Annual salary: CAD $57,000–$70,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Benefits and leaves follow York University policies and the applicable collective agreement.

How to Apply

Email a cover letter explaining research interests and suitability, curriculum vitae, one representative research paper (published or unpublished), and names and contact information for three referees to iferrara@yorku.ca.

Applications received by November 15, 2026, will receive full consideration. Review begins immediately and continues until the position is filled. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an in-person or Zoom interview.

York University welcomes applications from all qualified candidates and is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. 

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