Do you want to do quantitative empirical-theoretical research on the role of religion in migrants’ destination countries from an interdisciplinary and comparative perspective? At the Department of Sociology at the University of Amsterdam (UvA), we are looking for a postdoctoral researcher who will work with the newly appointed Full Professor of Sociology, Prof. Fenella Fleischmann.

The postdoctoral researcher will study the role of religion either from the migrant perspective (e.g., addressing questions of religious change and the relation between religiosity and integration) and/or the perspective of the non-migrant population (e.g., links between religion and prejudice). Candidates with previous research expertise among religious minorities in Europe are particularly encouraged to apply.

What are you going to do

As postdoctoral researcher you will write research papers to be submitted to international peer-reviewed journals, using available cross-national (longitudinal) survey data that contain oversamples of persons with a migration background or of specific religious groups, to understand how different aspects of religion relate to important integration outcomes and life-course transitions (e.g. among youth and young adults). You will also be involved the development of new measurement instruments and small-scale data collection.

What do we require

You have:

• a recent PhD in sociology, political science or a related field. Candidates whose manuscript has been approved by the committee at the start of the project can also apply;
• demonstrable experience with doing advanced quantitative research, as evidenced by publications in English;
• good writing skills.

Your experience and profile:

You are:

• experienced in statistical analysis, preferably including either longitudinal models and/or structural equation modelling;
• fluent mastery of English;
• good in team work;
• an independent researcher.

Fixed-term contract: 18 months.

We offer a temporary full-time contract (38 hours per week) for a total period of 18 months. The first contract term will be for one year. Upon positive evaluation and satisfactory performance in the first year, we intend to offer an extension for six months. The starting date will be 1 January 2022 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The gross monthly salary based on full-time employment ranges from €3,807 up to a maximum of €5,211 (salary scale 11). This is exclusive 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% end-of-year bonus. The starting salary will be based on qualifications, expertise and relevant experience. The profile “Researcher 3” is applicable, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities.

The UvA offers excellent possibilities for further professional development and education.

What else do we offer

We offer stimulating work environment with a variety of duties and ample scope for individual initiative and development within an inspiring organisation. The social and behavioural sciences play a leading role in addressing the major societal challenges faced by the world, the Netherlands and Amsterdam, now and in the future.

University of Amsterdam

With over 6,000 employees, 30,000 students and a budget of more than 600 million euros, the University of Amsterdam (UvA) is an intellectual hub within the Netherlands. Teaching and research at the UvA are conducted within seven faculties: Humanities, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Economics and Business, Law, Science, Medicine and Dentistry. Housed on four city campuses in or near the heart of Amsterdam, where disciplines come together and interact, the faculties have close links with thousands of researchers and hundreds of institutions at home and abroad.  

The UvA’s students and employees are independent thinkers, competent rebels who dare to question dogmas and aren’t satisfied with easy answers and standard solutions. To work at the UvA is to work in an independent, creative, innovative and international climate characterised by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with the city of Amsterdam and society.

Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences  -Department of Sociology

The Department of Sociology is part of the Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Research and education are carried out by special institutes. The College of Social Sciences and the Graduate School for the Social Sciences are responsible for the undergraduate and graduate teaching programmes in the social sciences. Research takes place under the aegis of the Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research (AISSR), a multidisciplinary research institute, the biggest one of its kind in the Netherlands and possibly in Europe. The broad scope and pluralism of our education and research programs are inspired by and reflect a strong degree of internationalization. The new postdoctoral researcher will be embedded in the programme group the AISSR research group Institutions, Inequalities, and Life courses.

To work at the UvA is to work in a discerning, independent, creative, innovative and international climate characterized by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with the city of Amsterdam and society. Here you can read more about working at the UvA.