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 20,000 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 6,000 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 Department of Sociology in the Faculty of Social Sciences is looking for a full-time (100%) doctoral scholarship holder to work on the ERC-funded project “REIMAGINE. Understanding the Role of Economic Imagination for Advancing Decarbonization in Europe.”

The project is led by Professor Lisa Suckert. Based on a comparative mixed-method analysis of five European countries, REIMAGINE explores how economic imagination fuels conflicts, frictions and impasses of decarbonization—and reveals challenges and potential for a common European mitigation strategy.

Position

• As part of an international research team, you conduct an interview study focused on the implementation of decarbonization in Spain.

• You will also support the principal investigator and post-doctoral researchers in conducting the analysis of interview studies in other countries.

• You will develop your own PhD project related to the topic of REIMAGINE. The PhD will be supervised by Professor Lisa Suckert.

• You will actively contribute to the preparation and defence of a PhD thesis in the field of social sciences.

• You will be part of a vibrant research team. To facilitate exchange, residence in Belgium and presence at the university is required, at least several days of the week.

• You will jointly draft articles and other outputs for scholarly publication.

• You will present your work at national and international conferences.

• You will gain insights into and support the management of an ERC funded project.

• You will be member of the vibrant community of CRESC (Center for Research on Environmental and Social Change) and participate in the Antwerp Doctoral School.

Profile

• You hold a Master degree in sociology or a related social sciences discipline, e.g. political sciences, communication studies, cultural studies, anthropology.

• You have a strong interest in decarbonization and/or economic sociology.

• You have advanced knowledge of qualitative social science research methodology.

• Ideally you are already familiar with software for qualitative data analysis (e.g., MaxQDA, Atlas.ti, NVivo) and have experience with conducting interviews.

• You have excellent Spanish language skills and excellent English language skills. Further language skills in Polish, Swedish or German are a plus.

• You have in-depth knowledge of Spain’s social, political, and economic systems and are familiar with Spanish decarbonization policies and related socio-political dynamics.

• You have proven your ability to work independently, and to manage workloads and deadlines.

• 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.

• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.

What We Offer

• We offer a doctoral scholarship for a period of four years.

• The planned start date is 1 April 2026.

• Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for doctoral scholarship holders.

• 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 Stadscampus 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 January 6, 2026 (by midnight Brussels time).

Click on the 'Apply' button and complete the online application form.
Include the following attachments:

• a motivation letter

• your academic CV

• your master and bachelor certificate

• a one-page proposal for a potential PhD project related to the overall topic of REIMAGINE

The selection committee reviews all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision is made, we will notify you. If you are still eligible after the pre-selection, you will be informed about the possible next step(s) in the selection procedure.

Important date: January 16 for selection interviews.

If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or email jobs@uantwerpen.be.
For questions about the job itself, please contact Professor Lisa Suckert (lisa.suckert@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 that 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.

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