Postdoctoral researcher in the organizational impact of corporate boardroom quota

For the NWO-funded research project “Beyond Boardrooms: The Impact of Corporate Quota on Gender Equality in Organizations,” we are seeking a postdoctoral researcher with excellent research skills and a strong interest in examining how national policy changes affect gender inequalities in organizations.

The Beyond Boardrooms team consists of the PI, one postdoc, and a PhD student. Together, we investigate the extent to which corporate quotas—a novel policy instrument used across Europe to achieve balanced representation of women in corporate leadership—contribute to broader gender equality goals. The project addresses three interrelated questions:

1.   How quotas affect women’s access to managerial positions and firms’ hiring and diversity practices.

2.   Whether these effects spill over into gender pay inequality and occupational segregation.

3.   Whether quota effects extend across firms.

The project focuses on two previously unstudied quota schemes: the Corporate Diversity Target (2013–2020) and the Corporate Quota (2022–2024). We combine large-scale Linked Employer–Employee (LEE) data on earnings, occupations, and employment histories with firm characteristics from business registers. In addition, we conduct interviews and in-depth document analyses to capture stakeholders’ perspectives on how firms adapt their hiring and career strategies and practices and the efficacy of these efforts.

What are you going to do?

The postdoc will:

• Conduct interviews with corporate recruiters, HR professionals, and executive search agencies to examine strategies and practices used to meet quota goals and stakeholders’ views on their impact on career ladders.
• Carry out document analyses of annual reports from selected firms.
• Analyze change in corporate policies using harmonized longitudinal Diversity Monitor surveys.

There are no teaching obligations associated with this position.

We are seeking a postdoc with demonstrable experience in qualitative and/or mixed-methods research and affinity and interest to study organizational policies, inequality, and diversity. We are looking for candidates who meet the following requirements:

• A PhD degree (completed or near completion) in Sociology, Organizational Science & Management, or a related discipline.
• Training and strong research experience in qualitative methods; experience with mixed-methods designs and document analysis is an asset.
• A relevant publication record (peer-reviewed journals and working papers) demonstrating the capacity to publish internationally.
• Excellent command of English; knowledge of Dutch is an asset but not required.
• Ability to work independently and to coordinate joint research activities.
• Strong team spirit and communication skills.
• Demonstrable competences in conceptual capacity, organizational sensitivity, presentation, and result orientation.

• 232 vacation hours per year, based on a 38-hour workweek (1.0 FTE). You can also work more or fewer hours in exchange for more or fewer free hours. For example, with a 40-hour workweek, you save 96 extra free hours, and with a 36-hour workweek, you lose 96 hours.
• End-of-year bonus of 8.3% and 8% holiday allowance.
• Extensive opportunities for personal and professional development.

At the University of Groningen (UG), researchers from all fields of academia and technology are working on academic challenges and societal questions. Lecturers prepare their students for meaningful careers within or outside the academic world. Interdisciplinary research and teaching, sharing of knowledge, collaboration with businesses, government institutions, and societal organizations are aspects that are of the utmost importance to this European top university. The UG aims to be an open academic community with an inclusive and safe working climate that invites you to add your value.

The Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences (GMW) excels in research and teaching in the areas of behaviour, thinking, learning, and participation in society. More than 4,500 students and approximately 650 staff address social questions and challenges that people experience in daily life. Our core focus is on individual and societal resilience and how to strengthen it. We focus on current themes such as health and wellbeing, sustainable living, learning and development, inclusive society, safe and healthy upbringing, and work and collaboration. If you would like to learn more about the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, visit rug.nl/gmw. 

The Department of Sociology is one of the four partners of the ICS (Interuniversity Center for Social Science Theory and Methodology), a leading research center in Dutch sociology with an excellent international reputation. Research at the Department of Sociology in Groningen is well known for its focus on advanced theory formulation and method development, systematic integration of theory and empirical research, and quantitative data collection and measurement instruments. The postdoc becomes member of research cluster Sustainable Cooperation, Institution, and Organizations.

Do you have any questions or need more information?

Questions about the content of the job?
Zoltán Lippényi (Associate Professor): Z.Lippenyi@rug.nl

Questions about your application process?
Zihainy Polonius (Human Resources Adviser): z.q.polonius@rug.nl