The International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University Rotterdam (ISS-EUR) is looking for a post-doctoral scholar to support research on the intergenerational analysis of citizenship acquisitions, specifically based on claims of co-ethnicity and bloodline, as part of an innovative research project "Unmaking the Past, Making the Future: an intergenerational analysis of ancestral citizenship and visions of Europe" funded by the Volkswagen Foundation (2024-2027).

The project focuses on the intergenerational analysis of citizenship acquisitions specifically based on claims of co-ethnicity and bloodline. Ancestral citizenship provisions have been introduced in different European countries with the intention of unmaking the national past, trying to remedy historical mistakes, responding to shifting territorial borders or to the massive emigration that occurred due to economic hardship. Yet, they simultaneously make the future of Europe, as they are based on competing visions of Europe and constitute a legal pathway for migration.

Through a mixed methods and multi-level research design, this project analyses: 1) the reasons why citizenship laws based on bloodline emerged and how they have changed over time, in particular with respect to European integration and 2) the shifting motivations for acquiring an ancestral citizenship over time. This historically informed study will unearth the broader ramifications of this seemingly particularistic pathway on the notion of citizenship and legal mobility across the EU.

The project concentrates on the case-studies of Bulgaria, Italy and Germany and is conducted together with the Migration Department and the Cluster “Data-Methods-Monitoring” of DeZIM Institut Berlin and Centre Norbert Elias (Marseille).

The successful applicant will work as post-doctoral researcher at ISS, in close collaboration with the project leader, Dr. Zeynep Kaşlı, to support research on the Bulgarian case study. The post-doctoral researcher will especially contribute to the collection and qualitative analysis of multiple sources of data using a multidisciplinary approach (sociology, geography, anthropology, political science).

Job description
The post-doc will be responsible for the data collection related to the Bulgaria case study and will also support the meso-level cross-country data analysis. The data collection on the Bulgarian case entails close contacts with stakeholders in Bulgaria and migrants with Bulgarian citizenship who come from different countries, such as Turkey and Macedonia and live in different European countries, namely Germany and the Netherlands. Additionally, the post-doc will support Dr Kaşlı in the successful implementation of the project at ISS, while taking an active role on co-producing scientific and non-scientific output and dissemination activities.

The specific tasks include:

• Further development, implementation, and coordination of the whole project, together with the PIs.
• Participation and organization of quarterly project meetings.
• Conducting qualitative fieldwork: analysis of parliamentary debates on Bulgarian citizenship, biographical interviews with immigrants with Bulgarian citizenship & stakeholder interviews and observations.
• Production of high-quality research & publication of scientific as well as non-scientific outputs, together with project members.
• Liaising with relevant stakeholders in Bulgaria and beyond.

Experience and profile

• Exceptional knowledge in migration and citizenship studies.
• Solid knowledge on Post-Soviet or Balkan area studies is an advantage.
• A proven record in interdisciplinary research is an advantage.
• Publication record in peer-reviewed academic journals, and/or other relevant academic publications (edited books) in the field of migration and citizenship studies.
• Experience working in diverse, multicultural teams and collaborative projects.

Job Requirements

• A PhD degree (completed or close to completion) in the social sciences, including political science, geography, socio-legal, or related disciplines.
• Proficiency in advanced qualitative methods and willingness to apply mixed methods in interdisciplinary teams.
• Excellent writing skills for both scientific and non-scientific publications.
• Outstanding proficiency in the Bulgarian language.
• Excellent English skills.
• Ability to communicate complex issues clearly to different audiences and formulate recommendations for political action.
• Good organizational skills, including the ability to deliver on an agreed timeline.

Desirable skills

• Proficiency in Turkish or another Balkan language.
• Knowledge of data management procedures and their practical implementation.
• Previous experience in organizing high impact research and dissemination activities.
• Experience in project management or coordinating third-party funded projects.

This position is based at ISS, The Hague, but will require the successful candidate to spend time in Bulgaria, as well as travel to consortium meetings and dissemination events across Europe.

We offer you an internationally oriented and varied job in an enthusiastic team, with excellent working conditions in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU).

The selected candidate will be offered a temporary contract for one year with a possibility of an extension for the remaining 24 months after proven suitability for the position, at the level of Post-doc with Erasmus University Rotterdam. This position is for 0.8 FTE for a maximum of 36 months.

The start date of this position is 01 May 2024 and you will be based at the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) in The Hague, The Netherlands. The remuneration depends on the availability of funds provided by the external funder. Therefore, the starting salary has been set at a maximum of scale 11, step 0 (€ 4.332) on a fulltime basis (38 hours), in accordance with the CAO-NU. Salaries will be indexed annually in accordance with university rules.

In addition, we offer:

• Everything you need for a good work-life balance: the option to work from home in consultation with your manager, 41 days of paid leave with a 40 hour contract, 8% holiday pay and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• Sustainable, inclusive and diverse work environment with an open culture, where you can be yourself and we pay attention to each other and to the world around us. Make the most of our bicycle budget, or join networks such as Young@EUR, FAME or QuEUR.
• Time and space for your development in the broadest sense: development days and a personal career budget, and free access to our university library.
• Good pension with ABP that EUR contributes 2/3rds towards, discounts on various collective insurances with Zilveren Kruis Achmea, Loyalis, and Allianz, and compensation for travel, working from home and home internet use.
• Are you currently combining your job with parenthood, or do you want to do so in the future? EUR offers partially paid parental leave and fully paid additional birth leave for partners, and our campus features a daycare.
• Moving to the Netherlands for your job with EUR? Then you may be eligible for the 30%-ruling if you meet the requirements of the Belastingdienst (Dutch tax agency), and with our Dual Career Programme we will also assist your partner in finding employment in the Netherlands. The programme is offered in close cooperation with Delft and Leiden Universities.

Erasmus University Rotterdam

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) is an internationally oriented university with a strong social orientation in its education and research, as expressed in our mission ‘Creating positive societal impact’. EUR is home to 3.700 academics and professionals and almost 33.000 students from more than 140 countries. Everything we do, we do under the credo The Erasmian Way – Making Minds Matter. We’re global citizens, connecting, entrepreneurial, open-minded, and socially involved. These Erasmian Values function as our internal compass and create EUR’s distinctive and recognizable profile. From these values, with a broad perspective and with an eye for diversity, different backgrounds and opinions, our employees work closely together to solve societal challenges from the dynamic and cosmopolitan city of Rotterdam. Thanks to the high quality and positive societal impact of our research and education, EUR can compete with the top European universities. www.eur.nl.

Faculty / Institute / Central service
The International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) is a leading academic center for international development studies. While based in The Hague, the ISS is part of Erasmus University Rotterdam. ISS was established in 1952 and is a post-graduate institute of policy-oriented critical social science and development-oriented research. ISS brings together a diverse international community of scholars and students from both the global South and the global North, on average originating from over 50 different countries in a multi-disciplinary setting which nurtures, fosters and promotes critical thinking and innovative research on fundamental social problems. The strong partnerships with organizations and individuals in developing countries make up a vibrant network where we co-create knowledge so that teaching and research remain socially relevant. Key to the ISS philosophy and practices is the wish to contribute to achieving social justice and equity on a global level www.iss.nl/en