Research in Economy | trencin2026

Research Fellow in Economy

An exciting opportunity is available to work on the monitoring and evaluation of Trenčín as European Capital of Culture 2026, led by Dr Rafaela Neiva Ganga, in partnership with Trenčín City Council, Trenčín City Region, Slovakian Minister of Culture, and European Commission.

We are looking for a Research Fellow in Economy with an interest in cultural mega-events, cultural value, interdisciplinary and translational research.

The project has a duration of 5 years and aims to:

Evaluate the short, mid and longer-term impact of Trenčín 2026
Monitor progress of the contribution of culture to Trenčín Plan for Strategic and Economic Development;
Strengthen advocacy for culture in Trenčín region and Slovakia;
Inform evidence-based cultural policies;
Build capacity and a knowledge base for future research in cultural policy and events.

This job is an excellent opportunity to help shape and inform public policy and the future direction of the Trenčín creative economy.

Main tasks:

To provide scientific expertise on various projects that relate to the monitoring and evaluation of Trenčín as European Capital of Culture 2026.
To work across several themes related to the multiple impacts of the events (Economy, Tourism, European Dimension, Urban/Cultural Policy, ROI, SROI). The research extends from qualitative case studies to surveys, data analytics, impact evaluation (of policy interventions and regional investments) and econometric modelling.

To develop our expertise in culture and creative skills and labour market modelling.
To lead and support high impact publications with international significance; and be involved in the preparation of competitive funding bids.
To be involved in several other academic and non-academic outputs, such as, periodic reports to the European Commission, vlogs & podcasts, conferences and networks.
To lead on many aspects of the research associated stakeholder engagement initiatives with business, policymakers and media.
To prepare and submit competitive funding bids (track-record of submitted and funded research)

To lead and support high impact publications with international significance (track-record)
To work with our existing Slovakian interregional input-output model
To be responsible for developing and using economic models and data analysis to help illustrate key points
Active collaboration with the Programme Department of the Cultural Institute Trenčín, collaboration with colleagues within the Culture Living Lab Trenčín and non-academic partners
Active collaboration with Slovak universities in order to involve university students to the data collection

The right candidate should have:

A background or previous knowledge in economics, cultural policy, European studies or political science are preferable.
Specialisation in one or a combination of the following: Cultural economic or the effectiveness of policy interventions for promoting cultural and urban regional growth; Economic modelling.
Experience in regional econometric modelling and/or CGE modelling, input-output, applied econometrics and data mining.

Quantitative modelling skills in languages such as Stata, R, Python, Matlab and/or GAMs would be required.
Experience and high-level understanding of knowledge transfer and external engagement practice to policy makers and academic audiences and/or similar activities.
Expertise in the return on investment and social return on investment of cultural events, culture and creative industries, public policy
Interest in scholarship on one or more of the following areas: cultural and creative industries, cities, cultural policy, urban policy, environment. 
Ability to undertake economic and statistical/data analysis, to interpret results

Education: PhD in Economics, or other relevant social science discipline

Personal Attributes and Circumstances:

Ability to conduct research independently with non-academic partners.
A high degree of motivation and initiative, and ability to conduct independent, plan and manage own workload, with guidance from colleagues as required.
Collaborative team member, able of productive working relationships with internal and external partners
Ability to solve problems and come to practical solutions in areas where there are no clear

guidelines.

Ability to synthesise information for academic and non-academic audiences
Excellent organisational and communication skills to deliver aspects of the project’s data
Collection, analysis and reporting – and awareness of the challenges and opportunities of working collaboratively and internationally.

Other requirements:

Proficiency with qualitative analysis software (e.g. N-Vivo)
Proficiency in standard computer packages (e.g. Microsoft Office, e-mail and internet use).
Excellent communication skills (fluently orally and in writing in English and Slovakian)

Salary: 2050 eur brutto/month

Full-Time contract
5 sick days per year

Please send your CV in PDF, motivation letter in PDF and personal data consent to: sona.vislocka@trencin2026.eu until January 31, 2023. Please write the name of the position to the email subject. Please note that we will only contact candidates who match our requirements.

Note: The Culture Living Lab Trenčín

The position is hosted by the purposed-developed Culture Living Lab Trenčín. The Culture Living Lab Trenčín is committed to the following principles for the monitoring and evaluation of Trenčín 2026 project:

Citizen-driven research brings together an Open Research & Innovation Group formed by academics, policy makers, citizens, third sector and culture and creative industries.
Independent research and critical validation ensured with ethical and international peer-review processes.

Process-focussed methodology to capture inputs (e.g. cultural programme), processes (e.g. governance mechanisms), and outcomes (e.g. cultural participation).
Open-source datasets and findings enable further Trenčín 2026 legacies analysis