The two PhD-candidates will in particular

1. Assess how and why fathers’ influence on children’s outcomes changes across childhood and adolescence.

2. Assess how and why fathers’  role in the intergenerational transmission of inequality changes over time

3. Investigate to what extent the development of inequalities through fathers’ parenting practices is buffered or strengthened by factors such as family characteristics & childcare arrangements (PhD 1)/ the role that peers play in the child’s life (PhD 2)

PhD candidate 1 will focus on the period until adolescence, whereas PhD candidate 2 will mainly focus on the period adolescence to adulthood. The two PhD candidates are encouraged to also collaborate with each other to examine to what extent differences in the (dis)advantages that are transmitted from fathers onto their children widen over time.

To answer these research questions, existing data sources will be used. Data from the Rotterdam birth cohort study Generation R will be used to track the influence of fathers on their children’s development from infancy to adolescence.Data from the Dutch RADAR study will be used to track the influence of fathers on their children’s development from adolescence into adulthood. Other data sources, such as the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children and the Growing Up in Ireland Study may also be used.

Research tasks:

• The candidates will perform theoretically-informed quantitative analyses, present the results at conferences, and publish them in professional and academic peer-reviewed papers, culminating in a PhD dissertation.

• Following a PhD training in de Graduate School, and follow specific courses and participation in international conferences is part of the position.

• The candidates will participate in project meetings, seminars, and workshops.

• PhD candidate 1 will participate in the Generation R Next data collection

• PhD candidate 2 will participate in the RADAR data collection

The PhD candidates should:

• have a (nearly completed) Research Master’s or Master’s degree in Sociology, Pedagogical Sciences, Developmental Psychology or equivalent qualifications, with a top quality master thesis;
• have a keen interest in interdisciplinary research;
• have a firm basis in quantitative research;
• have experience with analyzing (the abovementioned) large-scale panel data;

• have excellent command of both Dutch and English;

• excel academically, as shown in the grade transcripts and curriculum vitae;
• have well-developed research skills, including the ability to formulate relevant and creative research questions and hypotheses, descriptive and analytical skills, and a clear and persuasive style of writing;
• have a great curiosity and enthusiasm for scientific research;
• have the ability to work well in a team, but also at a high degree of autonomy.
• have a keen interest in the topics to be investigated in the project, preferably demonstrated by previous work on similar topics.

Employment preferably starts September 1st 2018. The initial contract will run for a term of 1,5 years, which – depending on performance – will be extended with a second term of 2,5 years. The conditions of employment correspond with the CAO Nederlandse Universiteiten (CAO NU). The Erasmus University offers a salary of € 2.222,- gross per month in the first year up to a maximum of  € 2.840,- gross per month in the final year in accordance with the Promovendus scale of CAO NU. Salary is based on a fulltime occupation. Objective of the temporary 4-year position is the production of a thesis leading to a PhD degree. Candidates are to submit yearly progress reports to the faculty’s standing committee for research.

The EUR has attractive employment conditions, which include holiday allowance of 8% of the yearly salary, an end-of-year payment of 8.3% of the yearly salary and 232 hours leave per year (based on a full-time appointment of 38 hours). In case of a working day of 8 hours, you will weekly save 2 hours extra for annual leave (totally 328 hours).

In addition, EUR takes part in the ABP pension scheme, and we also offer partially paid parental leave. Moreover, EUR staff members can make use of the facilities at the EUR campus, including the Erasmus Sports Centre and the University Library. Substantial tax benefits apply to non-Dutch citizens, conditional on permission granted by the Dutch Tax Office. Applicants should have the right to work in the Netherlands for the duration of the contract.

Based on our internal career policy, internal candidates are given a prior position, relative to external candidates. Furthermore, diversity is one of our strategic priorities. Female candidates and/or candidates from an ethnic minority, candidates with an international background are encouraged to apply. Under the condition of equal quality and suitability, these candidates will have a priority position.

More information about working conditions a can be found at:

https://www.eur.nl/english/workingat/

The Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR), named after Rotterdam-born humanist and theologian Erasmus, is a research university with a strong international orientation and a pronounced social focus, both in its education and research activities. On the lively, modern campus, more than 28.000 students and scholars of more than 100 nationalities are constantly encouraged to develop their talents and meet their ambition. Our more than 2700 scientists and employees work together with all our students to solve challenges faced by global society, drawing their inspiration from the consistently dynamic and cosmopolitan city of Rotterdam. The academic education offered at our faculties is intensive, engaging and strongly focused on practical application. We increasingly perform our research in multidisciplinary teams, which are closely interwoven with international networks. In terms of research impact and the quality of its degree programmes, EUR can compete with the foremost universities in Europe, which is reflected in its consistent top-100 position in most major universities rankings. Erasmus University Rotterdam’s key values are daring, curiosity, social involvement, breaking new ground and striving for success.

The Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences is home to a vast diversity of scientific disciplines: public administration, pedagogical sciences, psychology and sociology. In addition, the Erasmus University College, IHS, and two research institutes RISBO and DRIFT are linked to the faculty. This also reflects in the content of the (international) bachelor's and master's programmes and in research.  Our activities are always focused on people and society. At the ESSB fundamental, internationally oriented research is of paramount importance. In addition, social research for professionals, policy makers, and the society is part of our research activities. ESSB offers a stimulating research environment where major national and international research grants are received. Appealing guest researchers and ambitious PhD candidates come along to conduct their research. Our education is small-scale and works with innovative forms of education such as Problem-Based Learning (PBL). Both the Dutch and English programmes are highly ranked by students and alumni. ESSB is home to over 2500 students and 300 staff-members.

Department of Public Administration and Sociology (DPAS)

The department benefits from a key position in the European public administration landscape through numerous editorial board positions and participation in several cross-national networks. Leading sociologists in the field of migration, political sociology and families are based in the department and participate actively in public debates and international research projects. Cooperation with third parties and conducting research with societal impact are key values of the department. The bachelor and master programmes reflect our diverse expertise and educate students to become active professionals.