Do you want to do quantitative empirical-theoretical research on the dynamics of educational policy reform, from a comparative stratification and political economy perspective? At the Department of Sociology, part of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences at the University of Amsterdam, we are looking for a postdoctoral researcher who will work within the Vici team directed by Herman van de Werfhorst. The postdoctoral researcher will study the interplay of social and political climates and educational reforms in understanding how inequalities by socioeconomic origin and migration background are created.

What will you be doing?

The postdoctoral researcher will write research papers to be submitted to international peer-reviewed journals, using cross-national data on educational policies combined with data on the political and cultural climate in societies, to understand when and how educational policy reforms have taken place. This will be done in collaboration with the project leader and professor Brian Burgoon from the political science department. The postdoctoral researcher will also be involved in project activities and some teaching activities may be possible depending on teaching demands (teaching hours would come on top of the contract hours). See the project website and the website of the AISSR research group Institutions, Inequalities, and Life courses for more details.

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.

You are:

• experienced in statistical analysis preferably using Stata;
• fluent mastery of English;
• good in team work;
• an independent researcher.

Our offer

The position concerns a temporary employment contract of  30,4 hours per week (0,8 FTE) for a term of two years. If the candidate proves suitable after the first six months, we intend to extend the term of employment for a total duration of two years. The starting date is 1 October 2020 or as soon as possible thereafter. Salary depends on past education and relevant work experience, with a minimum salary of €3,746 and a maximum salary of €5,127 gross per month based on a full-time contract for a 38-hour working week (in keeping with scale 11, as per the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities). We additionally offer an extensive package of secondary employee benefits, including a generous holiday scheme and year-end bonus. Because we value your continued personal development and professionalisation, we also offer excellent opportunities for study and development.

What else can we offer you?

A 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.

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences is an active participant in a diverse, international community. Our goal is for you to feel at home here, regardless of your background, race, orientation and/or beliefs.

University of Amsterdam

With over 5,000 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 Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences is an active participant in a diverse, international community. Our goal is for you to feel at home here, regardless of your background, race, orientation and/or beliefs.

Sociology at the UvA focuses on the spatial and socio-economic mobility of the urban population, the rise and fall of urban lifestyles and cultures, social relations between individuals and groups, old and new forms of discrimination, inequality, and citizenship, as well as the policy dimensions.