Curious constellations characterize contemporary political disputes on the EU, the welfare state and development aid. Apparently opposing groups of citizens share salient attitudes on these issues, and citizens are seemingly unresponsive to related information campaigns.

To solve these puzzles, insights from cultural sociology and political science are synthesized, theorizing that the same level of support for an issue has radically different meanings for different social groups. To analyze this, qualitative methods are combined with recent statistical techniques: Relational/Correlational Class Analysis (RCA/CCA). Unlike conventional methods, these enable the inductive uncovering of different ‘belief systems’ (i.e., configurations of attitudes).

Three sub-projects respectively address Euroscepticism, welfare state criticism, and opposition to development aid. All involve four phases:
#1 (Exploration): focus groups, informed by qualitative content analyses of information campaigns, map relevant aspects and reasons for support for/opposition to the issues at hand.
#2 (Clustering+interpretation): RCAs/CCAs uncover different belief systems featuring distinct ways in which support/opposition is clustered with tailor-made survey items informed by phase#1. Follow-up focus groups ensure the careful interpretation of the meanings of these belief systems.
#3 (Explanation): theoretical scenarios explaining why different groups have different belief systems are developed through focus groups and tested with additional representative survey data.
#4 (Experimentation): population-based survey experiments test whether the impact of information provision on political attitudes differs between groups with different belief systems.

The PhD Candidates are responsible for elaborating the study design, data collections and analyses in all phases, as well as disseminating insights to non-academic audiences. In collaboration with their supervisors, the Candidates will write scientific papers for leading international scientific journals. The Candidates will participate in scientific meetings, (inter)national conferences, and departmental seminars. Following PhD training in the Graduate School and attending courses on theory and/or methods are part of the positions, and the Candidates will participate in the department’s educational programmes (about 0.1 FTE each). Each project will be completed by means of a doctoral dissertation (PhD thesis).

- A Master’s degree (to be obtained before October 1, 2018) in Sociology, Political Science, Communication Science, or a related field (preferably a Research Master);
- Experience with qualitative and quantitative research methods;
- Excellent writing skills;
- Excellent command of both Dutch and English;
- A strong drive to conduct social-scientific research;
- Flexibility and dedication;
- A creative, open personality with excellent analytical, communication and organizational skills;
- Ability to work well in a team, as well as autonomously.

Internationally-oriented and varied work within an enthusiastic and ambitious team of top researchers and lecturers, with attractive fringe benefits in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU).
Employment preferably starts in October 2018. The initial contract will run for a term of 1,5 years, which – depending on performance – will be extended with a second term of 2,5 years. The conditions of employment correspond with the CAO Nederlandse Universiteiten (CAO NU). The Erasmus University offers a salary of € 2.222,- gross per month in the first year up to a maximum of  € 2.840,- gross per month in the final year in accordance with the Promovendus scale of CAO NU. Salary is based on a fulltime occupation. Objective of the temporary 4-year position is the production of a thesis leading to a PhD degree. Candidates are to submit yearly progress reports to the faculty’s standing committee for research.

The EUR has attractive employment conditions, which include holiday allowance of 8% of the yearly salary, an end-of-year payment of 8.3% of the yearly salary and 232 hours leave per year (based on a full-time appointment of 38 hours). In case of a working day of 8 hours, you will weekly save 2 hours extra for annual leave (totally 328 hours).

In addition, EUR takes part in the ABP pension scheme, and we also offer partially paid parental leave. Moreover, EUR staff members can make use of the facilities at the EUR campus, including the Erasmus Sports Centre and the University Library. Substantial tax benefits apply to non-Dutch citizens, conditional on permission granted by the Dutch Tax Office. Applicants should have the right to work in the Netherlands for the duration of the contract.
More information about working conditions a can be found at:
https://www.eur.nl/english/workingat/

Based on our internal career policy, internal candidates are given a prior position, relative to external candidates. Furthermore, diversity is one of our strategic priorities. Female candidates and/or candidates from an ethnic minority, candidates with an international background are encouraged to apply. Under the condition of equal quality and suitability, these candidates will have a priority position.

The Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR), named after Rotterdam-born humanist and theologian Erasmus, is a research university with a strong international orientation and a pronounced social focus, both in its education and research activities. On the lively, modern campus, more than 28.000 students and scholars of more than 100 nationalities are constantly encouraged to develop their talents and meet their ambition. Our more than 2700 scientists and employees work together with all our students to solve challenges faced by global society, drawing their inspiration from the consistently dynamic and cosmopolitan city of Rotterdam. The academic education offered at our faculties is intensive, engaging and strongly focused on practical application. We increasingly perform our research in multidisciplinary teams, which are closely interwoven with international networks. In terms of research impact and the quality of its degree programmes, EUR can compete with the foremost universities in Europe, which is reflected in its consistent top-100 position in most major universities rankings. Erasmus University Rotterdam’s key values are daring, curiosity, social involvement, breaking new ground and striving for success.

Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences (ESSB) 
The Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences is home to a vast diversity of scientific disciplines: public administration, pedagogical sciences, psychology and sociology. In addition, the Erasmus University College, IHS, and two research institutes RISBO and DRIFT are linked to the faculty. This also reflects in the content of the (international) bachelor's and master's programmes and in research. Our activities are always focused on people and society. At the ESSB fundamental, internationally oriented research is of paramount importance. In addition, social research for professionals, policy makers, and the society is part of our research activities. ESSB offers a stimulating research environment where major national and international research grants are received. Appealing guest researchers and ambitious PhD candidates come along to conduct their research. Our education is small-scale and works with innovative forms of education such as Problem-Based Learning (PBL). Both the Dutch and English programmes are highly ranked by students and alumni. ESSB is home to over 2500 students and 300 staff-members.

Department of Public Administration and Sociology (DPAS)
The department benefits from a key position in the European public administration landscape through numerous editorial board positions and participation in several cross-national networks. Leading sociologist in the field of migration, political sociology, inequalities and families are based in the department and participate actively in public debates and international research projects. Cooperation with third parties and conducting research with societal impact are key values of the department. The bachelor and master programmes reflect our diverse expertise and educate students to become active professionals.

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