The PhD will work at Maastricht University (UM/FASoS) and at Statistics Netherlands (CBS). CBS has a leading position in Big Data research, which includes social media data, admin data based on the whole population which are linked to large scale surveys. Innovative research, also related to the Sustainable Development Goals is conducted with the Centre for Big Data Studies (CBDS) at CBS, in close cooperation with UM, and FASoS in particular. 

The objective of this Big Data project is two-fold:
(1) State of the art of gender inequality in Dutch firms.
(2) Determinants and consequences of gender inequality in Dutch firms.  

This project aims at investigating the impact of gender inequality in Dutch firms (e.g. the composition of the board) on both output variables (e.g. profit) of firms as well as employees (e.g. job satisfaction). The project analyses how gender equality in Dutch companies matters for Dutch society and, especially, how specific gender equality measures are important for the economic performance of the Dutch companies and the wellbeing of its employees.  

In the first instance, we will look at which Big Data sources are available and which ones could be used to define, make indicators and map gender inequality. Big data sources will be explored in order to investigate definitional issues around gender inequality (income data based on survey, large admin sources and bank transaction data), issues of perception (social media, text mining of newspapers articles), creating indicators of gender inequality (profiles on Linked In, mobile phone data, data on mobility). Secondly, a comparison is made with a different country, in this case we think of Belgium. Thirdly, we will investigate Big Data methods and the process required to define indicators of gender inequality. 

The PhD candidate will:

• Analyze longitudinal data from population registers in the Netherlands, enriched by large scale survey data and combined with other Big Data sources, using advanced statistical techniques.
• Write and defend a doctoral dissertation.
• Publish key results in working papers and peer-reviewed journal articles.
• Teach in the BA programme European Studies of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, in courses on quantitative methods, and be involved in BA thesis supervision.

Has an MSc degree in sociology, social sciences, statistics, demography, gender studies, data sciences, or an affiliated discipline with demonstrable training in quantitative research skills and an interest in Big Data research in the field of Gender Inequality and SDGs.
The candidate has experience with conducting micro-level statistical analyses and good knowledge of advanced statistical and / or Big Data techniques.
The candidate has an excellent written and spoken command of English, as demonstrated by previous course work and/or publications in English.
The candidate is a team-player and willing to contribute proactively to the development of the project.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

The collaboration between three highly complementary parties provides a unique opportunity to address these important questions in an innovative way: 1. An interdisciplinary research team from Maastricht University providing the content expertise and research skills, 2. CBS providing detailed data on Dutch firms and their employees, and 3. EQUILEAP providing an innovative and highly comprehensive rating methodology to measure Gender Inequality. 

We offer a dynamic and challenging job in an internationally-oriented organisation where young people receive an advanced education and scholars conduct exciting research. The PhD candidate will have the unique opportunity to carry out research within Politics and Culture in Europe and contribute to the development and outreach of the Centre of Big Data Studies at Statistics Netherlands. She / he will be part of an international network of top universities and renowned scholars within the field. 

We offer a 4 year full-time appointment as PhD student.
The first year will be a probation period, after a positive assessment the position will be extended with another 3 years.
Your workload will be the normal workload for the position of PhD students. Currently this implies 90% research activities and 10% teaching activities. 

Remuneration will be according to standard salary levels for PhD students starting with a salary of € 2.222,-- with a yearly growth to € 2.840,-- gross a month (based on a full-time appointment).  

Each year the standard salary is supplemented with a holiday allowance of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.  

You have to be willing to move to (the vicinity of) Maastricht. If you do not already live in Maastricht (or its direct surroundings) you will be eligible for an allowance for moving costs. If you do not already live in Maastricht (or its direct surroundings) you might be eligible for an allowance for alternative housing.

Other secondary conditions include e.g. a pension scheme and partially paid parental leave. 

You will be provided with shared office space and a PC.

Maastricht University is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterized by a small-scale and student-oriented approach. Research at UM is characterized by a multidisciplinary and thematic approach, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools. Maastricht University has around 16,300 students and 4,300 employees. Reflecting the university's strong international profile, a fair amount of both students and staff are from abroad. The university hosts 6 faculties: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of Law, School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience.

http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASoS) has about 250 staff members, and about 1,600 students. More than 76% of the students are non-Dutch (64 different nationalities). All programmes are offered in English and some are also offered in Dutch. FASoS offers two 3-year bachelor’s programmes: Arts and Culture and European Studies. It also offers eight different 1-year Master’s programmes and two 2-year research master’s programmes.
Research is organised around four programmes: Politics and Culture in Europe; Science, Technology and Society Studies; Arts, Media and Culture; and Globalisation, Transnationalism and Development. The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is housed in the historic city centre of Maastricht. 

Our Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences offers the opportunity to pursue a PhD in the interdisciplinary field of arts and social sciences. You receive a coherent program of introductory courses, intensive supervision and frequent discussion with the senior researchers inside and outside the Faculty. The Programme can be characterized by its international and interdisciplinary nature and the emphasis on cultural and societal issues of the modern world.  

The School focuses on four themes:
1. Politics and Culture in Europe.
2. Maastricht University Science, Technology and Society Studies.
3. Globalisation, Transnationalism and Development.
4. Arts, Media and Culture. 

Further information on the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and its Graduate School may be accessed on: www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/fasos