Postdoctoral Position in Sociology (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 Centre for Population, Family and Health (CPFH) is seeking to fill the following full-time (100%) vacancy: Doctoral Grant (Fund for Scientific Research-Flanders (FWO))in the area of family sociology Position You prepare a doctoral thesis in the field of family sociology, working on a project on the link between informal care receipt and formal long-term uptake in older adulthood. You work in close collaboration with your supervisors and colleagues studying related research themes. Project abstract The link between informal care receipt and uptake of formal long-term care in an ageing Europe. Population ageing has required European policy makers to gear towards a more central role of informal care in old adulthood, curbing the public expenditures on care service provisions. The presence of close relatives, such as spouses or close-living children, is known to postpone older persons’ uptake of professional care. This suggests that informal caregivers substitute, at least temporarily, for formal care alternatives. However, to date, there is limited research looking at the specific non-professional care arrangements that older persons can rely on before taking up professional care. In Europe, this is expected to depend upon the country of consideration, as the availability of public care services and cultural norms about who bears the care responsibility vary strongly. Moreover, professional and informal old age care are often combined, but there exists a lack of research on how informal care intensity evolves when taking up professional care. To address these gaps in knowledge, this project draws on the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe to pursue three aims: (1) to assess the process of informal care receiving in relation to the uptake of at-home professional old age care, (2) to examine the process of informal care receiving in relation to the entry into residential care and (3) to study how informal care receiving evolves when taking up professional old age care. All three objectives strongly focus on country differences and LTC policies. Profile You hold a master's degree in social sciences, preferably in sociology or economic sciences; You can submit outstanding academic results; You have an interest in family sociology and intergenerational solidarity; You are capable of executing quantitative research; You are capable of applying (or learning) advanced statistical analysis techniques (longitudinal and multilevel analysis, structural equation modelling, etc.); Your academic English and writing skills allow you to successfully communicate research results; Your academic qualities comply with the requirements stipulated in the university’s research policies; You are quality-oriented, conscientious, creative and cooperative; Also students in the final year of their degree can apply. Assessment Please upload a short abstract (max. 500 words) in which you explain how you would approach this project. You need to use the Share database, but we would like to learn from you how you would use this data to answer the three research aims stated above in the project abstract. What we offer A doctoral scholarship for a period of one year, with the possibility of renewal after positive evaluation; The start date of scholarship will be October 1^st 2025; Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for doctoral scholarship holders. A dynamic and stimulating work environment at the university’s Stadscampus; 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 August 13th 2025 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button and complete the online application form. Be sure to include allof the following attachments: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. A motivation letter Your CV A short research abstract (see above) If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be. For questions about the profile and the description of duties, please contact dr. Jorik Vergauwen (jorik.vergauwen@uantwerpen.be) or prof. dr. Dimitri Mortelmans (dimitri.mortelmans@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. If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Socioloxy

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 Centre for Population, Family and Health (CPFH) is seeking to fill the following full-time (100%) vacancy:

Doctoral Grant (Fund for Scientific Research-Flanders (FWO))in the area of family sociology

Position

You prepare a doctoral thesis in the field of family sociology, working on a project on the link between informal care receipt and formal long-term uptake in older adulthood.
You work in close collaboration with your supervisors and colleagues studying related research themes.

Project abstract

The link between informal care receipt and uptake of formal long-term care in an ageing Europe.

Population ageing has required European policy makers to gear towards a more central role of informal care in old adulthood, curbing the public expenditures on care service provisions. The presence of close relatives, such as spouses or close-living children, is known to postpone older persons’ uptake of professional care. This suggests that informal caregivers substitute, at least temporarily, for formal care alternatives. However, to date, there is limited research looking at the specific non-professional care arrangements that older persons can rely on before taking up professional care. In Europe, this is expected to depend upon the country of consideration, as the availability of public care services and cultural norms about who bears the care responsibility vary strongly. Moreover, professional and informal old age care are often combined, but there exists a lack of research on how informal care intensity evolves when taking up professional care. To address these gaps in knowledge, this project draws on the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe to pursue three aims: (1) to assess the process of informal care receiving in relation to the uptake of at-home professional old age care, (2) to examine the process of informal care receiving in relation to the entry into residential care and (3) to study how informal care receiving evolves when taking up professional old age care. All three objectives strongly focus on country differences and LTC policies.

Profile

You hold a master's degree in social sciences, preferably in sociology or economic sciences;
You can submit outstanding academic results;
You have an interest in family sociology and intergenerational solidarity;
You are capable of executing quantitative research;
You are capable of applying (or learning) advanced statistical analysis techniques (longitudinal and multilevel analysis, structural equation modelling, etc.);
Your academic English and writing skills allow you to successfully communicate research results;
Your academic qualities comply with the requirements stipulated in the university’s research policies;
You are quality-oriented, conscientious, creative and cooperative;
Also students in the final year of their degree can apply.

Assessment

Please upload a short abstract (max. 500 words) in which you explain how you would approach this project. You need to use the Share database, but we would like to learn from you how you would use this data to answer the three research aims stated above in the project abstract.

What we offer

A doctoral scholarship for a period of one year, with the possibility of renewal after positive evaluation;
The start date of scholarship will be October 1^st 2025;
Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for doctoral scholarship holders.
A dynamic and stimulating work environment at the university’s Stadscampus;
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 August 13th 2025 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button and complete the online application form. Be sure to include allof the following attachments: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.
- A motivation letter
- Your CV
- A short research abstract (see above)
If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be.
For questions about the profile and the description of duties, please contact dr. Jorik Vergauwen (jorik.vergauwen@uantwerpen.be) or prof. dr. Dimitri Mortelmans (dimitri.mortelmans@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.

If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Socioloxy

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