We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher for a 2.5-year position (0.8 FTE; 30 months). The postdoctoral researcher will become part of the coordinating team of the EQUALSTRENGTH consortium and will work in close collaboration with Dr. Valentina Di Stasio. The postdoc will work at the European Research Centre on Migration and Ethnic Relations (ERCOMER) at the Department of Interdisciplinary Social Science. ERCOMER has a strong research track record in interethnic relations with a particular focus on international migration and immigrant integration, ethnic discrimination, ethnic identity formation and interethnic networks, attitudes towards immigrants and immigration. It is part of the Dutch research school Interuniversity Center for Social Science Theory and Methodology (ICS).

The EQUALSTRENGTH consortium EQUALSTRENGTH is a consortium of ten international partners (Utrecht University, University College Dublin, University of Oxford, University of Amsterdam, The German Center for Integration and Migration Research, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, The Budapest Institute, Charles University, The Spanish National Research Council and University of Lausanne), funded through a Horizon Europe grant. The consortium brings together scholars from a broad range of social sciences (e.g., social psychology, sociology, demography, economics, social policy). The aim of the consortium is to investigate why and to what extent ethnic, racial, and religious minorities are exposed to discriminatory behaviour and prejudicial attitudes in multiple life domains (e.g., employment, housing, access to services). Moreover, the project examines whether and how this continuous exposure to prejudice and discrimination accumulates at the intersection of stigmatized identities and across life domains.

The postdoc project is embedded in the Work Package “Measuring cumulative discrimination across life domains”. The postdoc will be responsible for the design and implementation of a set of field experiments on discrimination in employment, housing and access to childcare services, in collaboration with the other consortium members, and for the coordination of the data collection. The post-doc will also be involved in the organization of the meetings of the consortium and take on project management tasks in collaboration with the local project coordinator. The postdoc will also contribute to the analysis of perceptions of discrimination of stigmatized minority groups, and to the study of their policy preferences and coping strategies.

Core duties are:

• Contributing to the design and implementation of field and survey experiments on ethnic discrimination;
• Organizing and coordinating data collection with the members of the consortium;
• Co-organizing consortium meetings (e.g., preparatory meetings, dissemination and impact meetings, workshops);
• Analyzing data from field experiments and surveys;
• Reporting results at conferences, impact events and dissemination activities, and in peer-reviewed scientific journals
• Assisting with administrative tasks and project management A high degree of independence and responsibility is expected from the postdoc. Since the postdoc will be working in a larger network of scholars, teamwork and communication are also essential.

The postdoc will be employed at the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences of UU.

We are looking for a candidate with:

• a doctoral degree in the social sciences or related disciplines. Exceptional candidates expected to obtain their doctoral degree by April 2023 will be considered, but preference will be given to candidates who have already completed their doctorate;
• experience in quantitative research methods;
• excellent skills in data analysis (Stata or comparable software);
• experience in programming languages such as R or Phyton;
• theoretical expertise in prejudice, discrimination and immigrant integration, especially in the domains of employment, housing and education;
• a track record appropriate to the stage of their career, and an obvious curiosity and enthusiasm for academic research;
• a professional attitude and conduct that includes organizational sensitivity, research integrity, pragmatism, excellent communication and organizational skills;
• independent thinking and a hands-on mentality;
• a collaborative attitude and teamwork orientation;
• high proficiency in English (C2 level). Proficiency in Dutch is also an asset.
• experience with collecting quantitative survey data or experimental data is desirable.

We offer a 2.5-year appointment of 0.8 FTE as a postdoctoral researcher. The initial appointment will be for one year, starting April 2023, with an extension of 1.5 years after a positive evaluation. The gross salary – depending on qualifications and experience - ranges from €2.960 to €5.439 (pay scale 10-11 in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities) per month for a full-time employment. Salaries are supplemented with an annual holiday premium of 8% and an end-of-year premium of 8.3%.

In addition, Utrecht University offers excellent secondary conditions, including an attractive retirement scheme, (partly paid) parental leave and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). For more information, please visit working at Utrecht University.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences is one of the leading faculties in Europe providing research and academic teaching in cultural anthr opology, educational sciences, interdisciplinary social science, pedagogical sciences, psychology, and sociology. More than 5,600 students are enrolled in a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programmes. The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences has some 850 faculty and staff members, all providing their individual contribution to the training and education of young talent and to the research into and finding solutions for scientific and societal issues. It is located at Utrecht Science Park.
The ancient city centre of Utrecht and its modern central station can easily be reached from the Utrecht Science Park by public transport or by a 15 minute bicycle ride. Utrecht boasts beautiful canals with extraordinary wharf cellars housing cafés and terraces by the water, as well as a broad variety of shops and boutiques.