PhD position in Social Sciences

The BAM project is a pioneering project that examines how people of native descent respond to becoming a minority in majority-minority city contexts. The project turns the integration question upside down and concentrates on how the former majority groups react to the changing demographics and dynamics in the urban contexts, where now the majority of the population has a migration background. With the present-day backlash against migrants in Europe, it becomes clear that integration processes of all groups involved cannot be fully understood if migration scholars do not also look at the acceptance or rejection of this increased ethnic diversity by the people of native descent, who formed the former majority. Hence, we are looking for critical scholars eager and able to contribute to the development of a new line of research and thinking in migration and ethnic studies. BAM is a comparative project and the study will be executed in 6 different cities across 4 countries; three harbour cities, Rotterdam, Antwerp and Malmö, and three service sector cities, Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Vienna.
 
BAM consists of 5 subprojects where four PhD students and 2 post-doc researchers will work together with the PI, a senior researcher and a project coordinator:  (1) A meta-analysis of secondary data on people of native descent in the six research sites; (2) Developing a survey for the target group; (3) An analysis of critical circumstances of encounter that trigger either positive or rather negative responses to increased ethnic diversity (4) Experimental ‘diversity labs’ to test under which circumstances people will change their attitudes or their actions towards increased ethnic diversity; (5) The formulation of a new theory of integration that includes the changed position of the group of native descent, who formed the former majority as an important factor.
 
Working closely together with the PI and other team members, the PhD researcher will be responsible for the development, execution and analysis of the survey in three of the selected cities, hence conducting fieldwork periods abroad. The PhD researcher is expected to develop her/his PhD project and write 4 single and/ or co-authored articles in peer reviewed journals on the project findings and contribute to the conceptual papers.

Tasks:
•Participate in the development, collection and analysis of a large scale BAM survey at the neighbourhood
 level in the six participating cities in 5 countries;
•Develop own PhD project within the scope of the BAM project and write and complete the PhD dissertation
within four years;
•Fully participate in BAM project activities and publications in collaboration with the other BAM team
members;
•Participate in international conferences, workshops, seminars and other scholarly activities.

Candidates should have the following credentials:
• A completed Research Master in sociology, political science, demography or another relevant social science discipline;
• A good record in quantitative research methods;
• Experience with analysis of survey data;
• Experience with the collection of survey data and/or the development of questionnaires is a plus;
• A good research and publication record considering the career stage;
• Ability, willingness and commitment to work in a multi-disciplinary team;
• Ability and willingness to travel and conduct fieldwork in different locations;
• Excellent in spoken and written English;
• Proficiency in Dutch, Swedish or German is desirable.

The appointment will be initially for 12 months. After satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, it can be extended for a total duration of four years.
 
You can find information about our excellent fringe benefits of employment at www.workingatvu.nl like:
• Remuneration of  8,3% end-of-year bonus and  8% holiday allowance;
• Solid pension scheme (ABP);
• A minimum of 29 holidays in case of full-time employment;
• Discounts on collective insurances (healthcare- and car insurance).

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) is a leading, innovative and growing university that is at the heart of society and actively contributes to new developments in teaching and research. Our university has ten faculties, and provides work for over 4,500 staff and scientific education for more than 23,000 students.

The Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS) is one of the larger faculties of the Vrije Universiteit. Over 2,500 students and more than 250 employees are engaged in teaching and research on social-science issues. The faculty has 5 bachelor- and 7 master programs. The faculty offers bachelor and master programs in sociology, anthropology, political science, public administration, communication science and organization science. The main focus of research is societal resilience

Applications must contain:
• A motivation letter. Please clearly indicate the position you apply for;
• A curriculum vitae and previous publications, if existent;
• Proof of your MA Degree;
• An academic writing sample in English (e.g., journal article, working papers, MA dissertation copy);
• Reference letters from two academic references.
 

Please send your application before 31 December 2017.

Please mention the vacancy number in the e-mail header or at the top of your letter and on the envelope.
 
Any other correspondence in response to this advertisement will not be dealt with.