Matthias Burgert, European Commission

"'The ECB and Its Watchers' conference was my personal highlight"

In 2013, Matthias Burgert, pre-doctoral researcher in the research team of Volker Wieland, was hired for a research staff position in the economic modelling group of the Directorate General Economic and Financial Affairs (DG ECFIN) at the European Commission. He is a co-author of Wieland on a paper entitled "The role of tax policy in fiscal consolidation: Insights from Macroeconomic Modelling" that appeared in the conference proceedings volume "The role of tax policy in times of fiscal consolidation".

How did you join the European Commission?

I joined the European Commission in mid-2013. Prior to joining, I had the opportunity to attend a conference at the European Commission in 2012 in Brussels and to present a paper I had co-authored with Professor Wieland. On the fringe of the conference I learnt about interesting aspects of the work agenda of DG ECFIN, in particular on their macroeconomic modelling. It turned out that the work of the modelling group was closely related to what we were working on at the IMFS. When the group opened a vacancy in spring 2013 it was a good occasion for me to apply.

What are your main tasks as researcher at the European Commission?

My work here in DG ECFIN covers a range of topics. With our modelling tools we do quantitative analyses of the effects of policy measures. These policy measures comprise e.g. a range of structural reforms, fiscal and monetary policy. To have the capacity to model prevalent policy questions it is essential to develop the model further on a permanent basis. Besides that we provide training on the application of the modelling tools within the DG but also to institutions in EU member states. Not least, we dedicate our time to research and regularly attend research seminars and conferences.

How is this work related to your research at the IMFS?

At the IMFS I was for example assigned to work with the Macroeconomic Model Data Base. In particular, the broad set of models I got acquainted with in this context are helpful to me in my day-to-day work at the European Commission.

Looking back, what do you appreciate most regarding your doctorate at the IMFS?

I appreciated the conferences and events taking place at the institute with my personal highlight being the annual "ECB and Its Watchers" conference. As a doctoral student I could benefit a lot from the debates and encounters at these events.

For more information:
"The role of tax policy in fiscal consolidation: Insights from macroeconomic modelling", with Volker Wieland published in: "The role of tax policy in times of fiscal consolidation," Savina Princen and Gilles Mourre, 2013. European Economy - Economic Papers 502, DG ECFIN, European Commission.