What are you going to do?

We are currently seeking a postdoctoral researcher to join our research team for a project funded by NWO. Our aim is to address labor market difficulties faced by refugees and to gain insights into two key questions. First, how do employers respond to refugees’ participation in integration activities? Second, how do public service caseworkers influence the access of refugees to integration activities? By examining different types of employers and refugee workers and placing emphasis on the discretion of caseworkers in allocation decisions, our research will provide a comprehensive understanding of which integration interventions are effective, for whom, and why.

The project's primary objectives are threefold: first, examining how employers respond to refugees' engagement in integration activities; second, investigating the underlying mechanisms driving successful integration interventions; and finally, exploring policy impacts across different employee and employer profiles, while actively addressing inequalities in access to these integration activities. To achieve these objectives, this project will collect and analyze experimental data from employers and caseworkers in the public services sector in the Netherlands. We are seeking a highly motivated candidate who possesses a strong background in advanced statistical methods and is eager to develop expertise in factorial survey experiments.

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will have the opportunity to shape and adapt elements of the research project to align with your own interests and goals. You will join a dynamic research team where you will receive the necessary support and resources to make significant contributions to the field.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Executing factorial survey experiments among employers and case workers in the Netherlands;
• Conducting innovative research leading to four empirical papers;
• Participating in other activities of the project, such as organizing a workshop, contributing to public debate, and managing outreach activities of the project;
• Contributing to the teaching activities of the department and support in developing teaching skills;
• Collaborating with other researchers within the Policy, Politics and Society team and department of Public Administration and Sociology.

The postdoctoral researcher will be provided with a budget to cover publication fees, conference fees, and to cover the costs of travel to international conferences and workshops. DPAS is committed to prepare individuals for a successful career in science and will provide the necessary training, networking, and development support to achieve this.

• Completed PhD in Sociology, Public Administration, Social Policy, Political Science, Psychology, or other related disciplines;
• Strong academic record;
• Strong and explicit interest and motivation for scientific research;
• Excellent command of English;
• Basic proficiency in Dutch or willingness to learn Dutch;
• Expertise in quantitative research, including advanced statistics.

An internationally oriented and varied job in an enthusiastic team, with good working conditions in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU).

The start date of this position is 01.11.23 and you will be based at ESSB/DPAS in the Woudestein campus of the Erasmus University Rotterdam. The position is for 0.8-1,0 FTE for a maximum of four years (0,8 fte), to start with a year contract. The salary is dependent on your experience and knowledge and ranges from a minimum of €3.974 to a maximum of €5.439 gross per month on a full-time basis, in accordance with scale 11 of the CAO-NU. In addition, we offer an 8% holiday allowance, an end-of-year payment of 8.3%, and a very generous paid leave scheme. Furthermore, EUR is affiliated with ABP for the pension provision, and we offer partially paid parental leave, fully paid extended birth leave for partners, a personal career budget, work-life balance coaches, discounted collective health insurance, and more. As an employee, you can also use EUR facilities such as the University library and receive a discount on subscriptions for the Erasmus sports center.

Erasmus University Rotterdam offers a Dual Career Programme (DCP) to assist the life partners of new academic staff (on payroll) in finding employment in The Netherlands. The programme is offered in close cooperation with the nearby universities of Delft and Leiden.

Erasmus University Rotterdam aspires to be an equitable and inclusive community. We nurture an open culture, where everyone is supported to fulfill their full potential. We see inclusivity of talent as the basis of our successes, and the diversity of perspectives and people as a highly valued outcome. EUR provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, functional impairment, citizenship, or any other aspect which makes them unique. We look forward to welcoming you to our community.

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR)

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) is an internationally oriented university with a strong social orientation in its education and research, as expressed in our mission ‘Creating positive societal impact’. EUR is home to 3.700 academics and professionals and almost 33.000 students from more than 140 countries. Everything we do, we do under the credo The Erasmian Way – Making Minds Matter. We’re global citizens, connecting, entrepreneurial, open-minded, and socially involved. These Erasmian Values function as our internal compass and create EUR’s distinctive and recognizable profile. From these values, with a broad perspective and with an eye for diversity, different backgrounds and opinions, our employees work closely together to solve societal challenges from the dynamic and cosmopolitan city of Rotterdam. Thanks to the high quality and positive societal impact of our research and education, EUR can compete with the top European universities. 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 master programmes of DPAS are built on this profile and educate students to become scientifically schooled professionals.