Social inequalities in child development start early, have long term implications and are of widespread concern across Europe. The SEED project will explore the mechanisms by which inequalities affect the development of young children and the implications that they have through childhood and into work. The program of work will utilize nationally representative cohort data to achieve two principal objectives:
o To identify the mechanisms through which chaining patterns of social inequality impact on children's oral language development.
o To identify the implications that these early evolving social disparities have for patterns of performance at school age and beyond into adolescence and adulthood.

The project aims to influence policy and practice. The current sub-project will investigate whether clinical sub groups of children (primarily language impaired, hearing impaired, premature) show different outcomes in different social groups, and whether social mechanisms operate in a similar way for clinical groups as they do in the population as a whole. A more detailed description of the project is available on the Norface. The candidate would be required to collect data, conduct analyses, collaborate with international research partners, present findings on international meetings and publish these in international scientific journals. A Master degree in Epidemiology at the NIHES (Netherlands Institute for Health Sciences) will be part of the candidate's training. The candidate will cooperate with a large team of colleagues analysing child behaviour, genetic and brain imaging data. This research would lead toward a PhD.

Applicants should have a background in Research Linguistics. It is important that the applicant is able to work well both independently and within a team, and that (s)he has a good command of English. Knowledge of analytic methods and techniques of (epidemiological), population based cohort research is a strength.

Being able to present a certificate of good conduct is a condition for the appointment.

The gross monthly salary amounts a maximum of € 2.266,- (scale OIO) based on a full-time working week of 36 hours. The terms of employment are in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement for University Medical Centers (CAO UMC).

Erasmus MC

A healthy population and excellence in healthcare through research and education. This is what Erasmus MC stands for. Conducting groundbreaking work, pushing boundaries and leading the way. In research, education, and healthcare. We are practical people with a high level of expertise, working hard to improve and renew the healthcare of today and the public health of tomorrow.

The Departments of Ear, Nose and Throat and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry of Erasmus MC conduct scientific research, patient care, and administer pre- and post-doctoral education. Large epidemiological studies are a primary focus and strength of both departments. In 2001, the Generation R Study began in Rotterdam. Generation R is a multidisciplinary, innovative, and outstanding research study, which follows prospectively approximately 8.000 children from the general population from before birth into adolescence. The study aims to generate new scientific insight into physical, emotional, behavioral, and social development.