We’relooking to recruit a research assistant for a project that will investigate the presence of an economic rationale in policies addressing migration-related diversity and living together in Dutch cities. The project seeks to find out how considerations of economic growth are mobilized and drawn upon in contemporary local policymaking on diversity and living together by various actors, and how an economic rationale shapes the involvement of actors, their activities and policy discourses. The research is part of a project funded by the Erasmus Trustfonds and by the Erasmus Initiative Vital Cities and Citizens.

A significant part of the tasks will involve literature research, the organization and carrying out of interviews with policymakers, civil society organisations and businesses, the collection of policy documents, and qualitative analyses of the collected data. Also, you may be asked to help with drafting of (portions of) research reports. While you will be working remotely most of the time, you will be asked to be available for team meetings and for delivering findings.

The ideal candidate should:

• Have at least a Ba graduation BA degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Sociology, Anthropology, Human Geography or a related discipline;
• Ideally be able to carry out interviews in Dutch;
• Be able to read and summarize academic literature;
• Be very organized and precise;
• Have excellent analytic and English writing skills;
• Have experience with interviews and qualitative research;
• Have some background knowledge on debates surrounding the governance of migration and diversity in cities.

Internationally-oriented and varied work within an enthusiastic team, with attractive fringe benefits in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU). The position is offered for a period of three months from September to December 2020, for 0,8fte at the Department of Public Administration and Sociology, Erasmus University Rotterdam.

Your remuneration will depend on the position, your specific knowledge and experience It will be calculated on the basis of full-time salary ranging between EUR 2.052 and 2.853 gross per month (salary scale 6, CAO NU ) OR on the basis of full-time salary ranging between EUR 2.110 and 2.462 gross per month (salary scale Student Assistant, CAO NU. Salary is based on a fulltime occupation.

Erasmus University Rotterdam offers attractive terms of employment, including a holiday allowance of 8%, a year-end payment of 8.3% and 41 annual leave days in case of a full work week. In addition, EUR takes part in the ABP pension scheme, and we also offer partially paid parental leave. For international spouses we have set up a dual career programme. Moreover, EUR staff members are allowed to make use of the EUR facilities, including the Erasmus sports centre and the University Library.

Erasmus University Rotterdam

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 www.eur.nl

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 programs 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 programs are highly ranked by students and alumni. ESSB is home to over 4000 students and more than 400 staff-members. The different disciplines are supported by the Faculty Office (for more information, please visit www.eur.nl/essb).

Department of Public Administration and Sociology (DPAS)

DPAS covers the disciplines of Public Administration and Sociology. Two related scientific fields with different profiles. Public Administration studies governance capacity and policy interventions. It focuses on the institutional power to organize and intervene in the relations between different social, political and economic actors. Public Administration in Rotterdam goes well beyond the public realm itself and pays attention to public-private cooperation and networks of organizations. Sociology investigates the social structure of societies and the way it evolves. Sociologists in Rotterdam focus among other things on processes of globalization and individualization and on the effects of these processes on international social relations, the labor market or family relations. Related social problems that are studied are migration, flexibilization and solidarity. The perspectives of Public Administration and Sociology complement each other. Together they guarantee a highly relevant and scientific approach to topical administrative and social issues. The bachelor- and masterprogrammes of DPAS are build on this profile and educate students to become scientifically schooled professionals.