We are looking for a highly motivated PhD Candidate who considers it a challenge to conduct PhD research on “The evolution cycles of Citizen-led Initiatives” (cf. project description below) as part of the Erasmus Initiative Vital Cities and Citizens. The future candidate will be expected to participate in the following tasks:
Research duties (80%)
• Conduct PhD research at the Department of Public Administration & Sociology within the framework of the Erasmus Initiative Vital Cities and Citizens, specifically on the project “Evolution of Citizen-led Initiatives”.
• Contribute to  data-collection, qualitative and/or quantitative data-analysis and the construction of data-sets in the context of international comparative research;
• Publish and present research results in the form of articles in international peer-reviewed journals and papers at international conferences;
• Perform organizational task such as assisting in the organisation of workshops and other knowledge utilisation activities;
• Write and defend a dissertation in order to successfully complete the doctoral degree;
• Participate in project meetings, conferences, seminars, etc. that are organised by the Erasmus Initiative Vital Cities and Citizens as well as the research schools. 
Teaching duties (20%)
• Prepare for and teach classes within the context of the various degree programmes in the field of Public Administration  as provided by DPAS;
• Supervise and coach students;
• Point out possible improvements and integrate them into teaching methods and/or the content of the classes given;
• Receive Education (10%).

A research Master’s degree in the Social Sciences, Humanities, International Development, or Urban Planning is required. As this project will involve intensive collaboration with other researchers, as well as external stakeholders (e.g. practitioners, policy makers and citizens) within the Netherlands and abroad, the candidate will be expected to have strong organizational and social skills. Experience with international research especially in the global South is a pre-requisite. Concretely, the candidate should possess:
• A solid background in both qualitative and quantitative methods of social scientific research as evidenced by the Master’s thesis, publications, research plans, and other projects;
• Strong social skills including a willingness to collaborate and to take the initiative in research and teaching;
• Didactic potential. Prior teaching experience is considered an advantage;
• A willingness to develop knowledge and skills in various disciplines and to increase his/her ability to teach a wide range of subjects within the faculty’s degree programme;
• Organisational experience and skills;
• Proficiency in spoken and written English. Candidates should meet the C1-standard of the Common European Framework (CEF);
• Proficiency in spoken and written Dutch is required; candidates should meet the C1-standard of the Common European Framework (CEF).

Employment starts in October 2017. 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).

For the job of PhD Candidate (Promovendus) the salary starts at € 2.222,- gross per month on a 38 hour per week contract in the first year, which will increase annually up to a maximum of € 2.840,- gross per month on a 38 hour per week contract in the fourth year (Grade P).

The EUR has attractive employment conditions, which include a holiday allowance of 8.0%, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3% and 232 annual vacation hours in case of a full work week.  In case of an 8-hour workday, you build up in addition weekly 2 hours. Furthermore, the EUR is affiliated with the ABP for pension provision.

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/

The Faculty of Social 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 FSW 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. FSW 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. FSS is home to over 2500 students and 300 staff-members.

Erasmus Initiative Vital Cities and Citizens
The Erasmus University has recently launched three so-called Erasmus Initiatives, through which academic excellence and multidisciplinary collaboration in research is stimulated. One of these is the Vital Cities and Citizens project which aims to (1) advance our understanding of the ways in which social and cultural transformations affect urban life - and (2) by doing so – to help cities thrive as places of inclusion, tolerance and cohesion, and better articulate the aspirations of their diverse citizens. The Erasmus Initiative Vital Cities and Citizens is a collaboration between the Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS), the Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication (ESHCC), and the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS).

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 sociologist 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.