Project description

This project analyzes the demography of family complexity with a novel set of questions and a unique mix of contemporary survey data and historical register data. Examples of research questions that can be studied are: (a) What are the demographic and socioeconomic determinants of divorce, widowhood, early single parenthood, and stepfamily formation? (b) What are the consequences of divorce, widowhood, and stepfamily living for children, in particular for their own life course transitions and their socioeconomic achievement? (c) How is the process of intergenerational transmission affected by parents who leave the household and stepparents who enter the household? (d) How do the effects of parental divorce and (early) parental death on children compare? (e) How do the effects of family instability on children in current times compare to effects of instability in the early 20th century?

Data that will be used for the contemporary part of the sample come from the OKiN survey, which is a large-scale survey among adult children aged 25-45 conducted in 2017 (www.familycomplexity.nl) as part of the PI’s ERC project on family complexity.

For the historical part of the sample, data from the Historical Sample of the Netherlands (HSN) will be used in conjunction with the LINKS data set (www.iisg.amsterdam/en/hsn).

The mix of contemporary and historical data used in the project depends on the skills and preferences of the candidate.

Job description

The Postdoc researcher will be expected to publish several articles within the described project to be published in international journals. He or she will carry out advanced academic research within an international team of engaged researchers. In this role the Postdoc researcher will contribute to the data infrastructure around family complexity. The researcher will participate in and be present at (inter-)national scientific meetings.

• A PhD degree in sociology, demography, economics, (social) geography, or another relevant social science.
• A demonstrative background in quantitative data analyses, including well-developed skills in statistical methods and advanced use of data analysis software (e.g., STATA).
• Excellent knowledge of English.
• Excellent writing skills.
• A good publication record derived from the PhD phase.

The position will start 1 January 2022 or earlier if possible. At 0.9 fte, the appointment will be for three (3) years. There is room for part-time appointment. Working fewer hours per week will result in an extension of the total duration of employment. 

The gross monthly salary will be in line with the Dutch regulations for academic staff at the Postdoc level. Benefits include pension contribution, annual holiday premium of 8% and an end-of-year premium of 8.3%.

Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI)

The Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI-KNAW) is an Academy research institute. NIDI conducts research on population issues and informs policymakers and society about the results of demographic research. By concentrating researchers from different disciplines in a single institute, NIDI has become one of the most important demographic research centres in Europe.