Statistics PhD Traineeship Programme - ECB ECB

Function:
The Euro Area and Public Finance Accounts Section of the Euro Area Accounts and Economic Data Division forms part of the Directorate General Statistics (DG/S) of the European Central Bank (ECB) and is seeking recent graduates engaged in post-graduate studies for its Traineeship Programme in 2012.

The Euro Area and Public Finance Accounts Section is responsible for, among other tasks, compiling and disseminating the Quarterly Integrated Euro Area Accounts.

DG/S is responsible for developing, compiling and disseminating the statistics and the related statistical indicators that the ECB needs to conduct its monetary policy, and that enable the other functions of the ECB, the Eurosystem and the European System of Central Banks (ESCB) to be carried out.

For this purpose, DG/S cooperates closely with other ECB business areas, the national central banks of the Member States of the European Union (EU), the European Commission (especially Eurostat), the national statistical institutes of EU Member States and the statistical departments of certain international institutions.

The holders of these trainee positions will be entrusted with the following main tasks:

Trainees will be expected to participate actively in the work of the section and will also be given the opportunity to complete a conceptual or empirical study, suitable for presentation at an internal seminar.

Successful candidates will gain an insight into conceptual, methodological and operational work on statistics in a policy-oriented environment. They will be expected to contribute to the development and use of statistical tools in the production of euro area accounts. Potential applications are in the field of nowcasting, seasonal adjustment, backcasting and reconciliation of large high-frequency datasets.

Trainees will be assigned a mentor, but will be expected to work independently, use initiative as appropriate and interact with other members of staff.

Qualifications and experience:
The successful candidates must have the following knowledge and competencies:

• The internships are aimed at students with a PhD or who have completed, at the time of their application, at least two calendar years of their PhD studies, in the areas of economics, econometrics, statistics, mathematics or other relevant disciplines (e.g. computer science). Successful candidates will be motivated and flexible and will also be excellent team players.
• A good knowledge of English is essential and a working knowledge of one other official language of the EU is required.
• Good IT skills and a sound knowledge of standard applications (word processing, spreadsheets, databases and presentation packages) are basic requirements.
• Competence in the use of statistical or mathematical software packages (with a preference for Matlab) and related computer programming experience, as well as knowledge of economic statistics and/or international statistical, accounting or supervisory standards are important additional assets.

Behaviour Competences:
The successful candidate will have the following behavioural competencies:

• has analytical and quantitative skills, and a proven ability to deliver results and provide innovative solutions to problems;
• communicates effectively, presenting complex issues in a clear and concise manner;
• shares information and supports colleagues in the attainment of common goals;
• examines critically and applies relevant approaches geared towards successful solutions;
• analyses complex data sets from diverse sources.

Duration of contract / Closing date:
PhD traineeship

Further information
Further information about this position, the required profile and the application process is available on the ECB’s website www.ecb.europa.eu, Working for Europe via the following url: https://gs6.globalsuccessor.com/fe/tpl_ecb01SSL.asp?newms=jj&id=65963&ai...

Candidates must be nationals of a Member State of the European Union.