You will become part of an exciting, innovative, and interdisciplinary research group that examines The role of the father in child development and the intergenerational transmission of inequality. The key objective of the overall project is to provide novel insights into the questions whether, why, and in what ways, fathers influence their children’s social, behavioral, emotional, and cognitive outcomes.

Project and job description
There is increasing awareness that the intergenerational transmission of (dis)advantages is filtered through intra-familial dynamics, in particular parenting practices. Parents with lower socio-economic status (SES) are not only argued to be less able to make significant investments in the development of their children in comparison to parents with higher SES, but their economic hardship is also posed to detrimentally influence their behavioral and emotional functioning which subsequently influences child development. Surprisingly, most studies have investigated the role of mothers – the role of fathers has often been overlooked.
In this PhD project, the candidate will in particular
(1) Assess how and why fathers influence their children’s social, emotional, behavioral and cognitive outcomes across childhood and adolescence.
(2) Assess how and why fathers’ influence on children’s outcomes changes over the years.
(3) Assess how and why fathers’ may transmit (dis)advantages onto their children over time.
(4) Investigate to what extent the development of inequalities through fathers’ parenting practices is buffered or strengthened by factors such as family characteristics & childcare arrangements
To answer these research questions, data from the Rotterdam birth cohort study Generation R will be used.
Research tasks:
• The candidate 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 candidate will participate in project meetings, seminars, and workshops.
• The candidate will participate in the Generation R Next data collection

The PhD candidate 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.
Diversity is one of our strategic priorities. Female candidates, candidates with an international background and/or candidates from an ethnic minority are encouraged to apply. Under the condition of equal suitability, these candidates will have a priority position.

Erasmus University Rotterdam is a modern, highly ranked, international research university, based in the dynamic and diverse city of Rotterdam. We were founded in 1913 and nowadays host 25.000 students. Our faculties and institutions work on global, national and local social challenges in the areas of: healthy development, wealth, governance, culture.
The quality of research at Erasmus University, named after Rotterdam-born humanist and theologian Erasmus, is reflected in its consistent top-100 position in most major universities rankings. On the lively, modern campus, students and scholars of more than 100 nationalities are constantly encouraged to develop their talents and meet their ambition.
Working at the Erasmus University Rotterdam means working in a professional environment, where development is encouraged through an active career and mobility policy. The Erasmus University Rotterdam highly appreciates flexibility: we have a 38-hour workweek, flexible working hours, possibilities to work part-time, and maternal/paternal leave. Moreover, the University has a company childcare scheme, possibilities to participate in a terms of employment option model, company savings program and life insurance schemes and favourable collective insurance schemes. Employees can also make use of facilities such as sports facilities and library.
https://www.eur.nl/english/

Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences (ESSB)
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.