Jan is a Full Professor of Economics at the University of Antwerp, Belgium. He began his career as a postdoctoral student at the University of Mannheim, worked for two years at a major telecommunications company, and subsequently became Assistant Professor at Ghent University, moving to the University of Antwerp in 2001. He has taught at the College of Europe in Bruges, and is an associate fellow and Visiting Professor at Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management (Université Libre de Bruxelles). His teaching, delivered both to students and industry, has included modules on industrial organisation, game theory, the microeconomics of banking, competition, antitrust, and industrial strategy.

Jan publishes with academics from a range of universities in general economics journals, as well as in well-established journals in the field of industrial organisation. He presents his work at major economics conferences as an invited seminar speaker, acts as a PhD adviser, and is a referee for several top journals. His academic credentials have been recognised by governments and private companies. Jan regularly advises private companies and government administrations on regulation (e.g. price squeeze and market definition) and private firms on competition issues (e.g. abuse of dominant position, and vertical mergers), in the telecoms, media and energy industries. He acts as an expert witness before courts.