Doctoral Position in Social Policy
University of Antwerp Faculty of Social Sciences
Belgium

Department: Department of Sociology
Regime Full-time

Let’s shape the future - University of Antwerp

The University of Antwerp is a dynamic, forward-thinking, European university. We offer an innovative academic education to more than 20000 students, conduct pioneering scientific research and play an important service-providing role in society. We are one of the largest, most international and most innovative employers in the region. With more than 6000 employees from 100 different countries, we are helping to build tomorrow's world every day. Through top scientific research, we push back boundaries and set a course for the future – a future that you can help to shape. 

The Herman Deleeck Centre for Social Policy (CSB) of the Department of Sociology (Faculty of Social Sciences) of the University of Antwerp is looking for a full-time doctoral scholarship holder in the field of Social Policy.

Position

• You will work actively on the preparation of a PhD thesis in the field of socio-economic sciences. The PhD project fits into the broader interdisciplinary research project “Changing work, changing incomes: designing a responsive social protection system for all”.

This project assesses the living standards, social protection access and adequacy, and financial vulnerability of different groups of non-standard workers in Belgium. The project aims to improve upon the measurement of non-standard earnings. One of the express purposes of the research project is to identify specifically vulnerable profiles of non-standard workers, by combining an individual-level and household-level perspective, taking account of the social protection rights guaranteed to non-standard workers. An important element is this regard is to assess the timeliness of social protection measures in case of volatile labour market attachment.

The research project aims to make an important academic contribution, but is also explicitly meant to be relevant to Belgian policy makers. To this end, there will be regular consultations with representatives of the social insurance institutions and the social partners.

• You will publish scientific articles related to the research project.
• You will carry out a limited number of teaching and research support tasks for the Herman Deleeck Centre for Social Policy.

Profile

• You hold a Master degree in sociology, socioeconomic sciences, economic sciences or related disciplines,  or you will have obtained it by the time you start work.
• You can demonstrate good to excellent study results (preference will be given to honours degrees).
• You have excellent English language skills.
• You have an excellent knowledge of either Dutch or French.
• You pay attention to details and act with attention to quality and integrity.
• You have a keen interest in socioeconomic policy issues and social questions, and background knowledge of the working of the Belgian welfare state.
• You have a solid background in research methods and data analysis.
• You have a good knowledge of statistical software packages such as STATA, SPSS, SAS or R, or willing to acquire such knowledge.
• You have a sense of independence, a creative mind, and a strong motivation to work within an multidisciplinary team.
• You have strong motivation to learn and work in a multidisciplinary team.
• Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision.
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies.

What we offer

• We offer a doctoral scholarship for a period of one year. Following a positive evaluation, the scholarship can be renewed, up to a total scholarship duration of 4 years.
• The planned start date is 1 May 2023 or as soon as possible after that date.
• Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for doctoral scholarship holders on the pay scales for Contract Research Staff (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP).
• You will receive ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance, and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
• You will do most of your work at the City Campus in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here.

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including February 20^th 2023 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button, complete the online application form and be sure to include the following attachments: a motivation letter and your academic CV.
• The selection committee will review all of the applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision has been made, we will inform you about the next steps in the selection procedure. Selection interviews will take place in the second half of March. Committee members are prof. Sarah Marchal, prof. Ive Marx and Julie Janssens.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Julie Janssens, Julie.janssens@uantwerpen.be.

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.