Doctoral scholarship holders in social policy

University of Antwerp; Belgique; Sur place; EUR 22 000 - 27 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

ecocheques

Internet-connectivity allowance

Bicycle allowance

Public transport reimbursement

Résumé du poste

The University of Antwerp invites applications for two full-time doctoral scholarship holders in Social Policy. You will pursue a PhD within the ERC-funded VOLARE project, analyzing how policy design affects month-to-month income volatility and household strategies in several European countries.

You will craft a research plan with supervision, handle project administration, and present findings at conferences. Fluency in English is required; Dutch/Finnish/Italian knowledge is a plus.

Qualifications

• Master degree in sociology, socio-economic sciences, economic sciences or related discipline.
• Excellent English language skills.
• Notions of Dutch, Finnish or Italian or willingness to acquire them.
• Solid background in quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• Keen interest in socioeconomic policy issues and European welfare states.
• Strong motivation to learn in a multidisciplinary team.

Responsabilités

• Actively work on preparation and defence of a PhD thesis in socio-economic sciences.
• Draw up a research plan and conduct necessary admin for PhD progression.
• Conduct research efficiently and possibly abroad.
• Report progress to supervisor and committees; present at conferences.
• Publish scientific articles related to the research project.

Connaissances

English language skills

Dutch, Finnish, or Italian (notions)

Independence and creativity

Quantitative and qualitative methods

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Attention to detail

Policy and welfare state knowledge

Motivation to learn and grow

Formation

Master's degree in sociology or related field

Outils

EUROMOD

Description du poste

Organisation/Company University of Antwerp Research Field Economics » Econometrics Economics » Other Political sciences » Public policy Sociology » Socio-economic research Sociology » Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Application Deadline 13 Oct 2026 - 21:59 (UTC) Country Belgium Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - ERC Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

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 Herman Deleeck Centre of Social Policy in the Faculty of Social Sciences is looking for two full-time (100%) doctoral scholarship holders in the field of Social Policy.

Position

• You will actively work on the preparation and defence of a PhD thesis in the field of socio-economic sciences. The PhD project fits in the broader ERC funded research project “Navigating volatility in different welfare state contexts (VOLARE)”. This project analyses how social policy design interacts with the month-to-month income variability experienced by households, and the strategies households develop to navigate this volatility. In the context of this project, we conduct a mixed-methods study that links consecutive monthly incomes collected among over 240 low to middle-income families in Belgium, the Netherlands, Finland and Italy, with in-depth interviews on the strategies households develop to navigate their volatile incomes, and simulations of the effect of likely welfare state responses using EUROMOD. We confront these findings with representative estimates of month-to-month volatility and welfare state responses based on national register data. With a survey experiment, we assess how households value stability over income, and assess the implications for effective social policy design.
• You will draw up a research plan and corresponding research methods in consultation with your supervisor and undertake the necessary administration for a smooth PhD process.
• You will conduct the research efficiently and to an appropriate standard, possibly abroad.
• You will report progress to your supervisor and committees, and present your research at scientific conferences.
• You will publish scientific articles related to the research project.

Profile

• You hold a Master degree in sociology, socioeconomic sciences, economic sciences or related disciplines, or you will have obtained it by the time of appointment.
• You can demonstrate good to excellent study results.
• You have excellent English language skills.
• You have notions of Dutch, Finnish or Italian, or are willing to acquire these.
• You pay attention to details and act with attention to quality and integrity.
• You have a keen interest in socioeconomic policy issues and social questions, and background knowledge of the working of European welfare states.
• You have a solid background in quantitative and qualitative research methods and data analysis, and are willing to further your knowledge and practical experience in line with the project’s needs. Practical experience with in-depth interviews is a plus, as is familiarity with microsimulation, or large-scale data analysis.
• You have a sense of independence, a creative mind, and a strong motivation to learn and work in a multidisciplinary team.
• We offer a doctoral scholarship for a period of one year. Following a positive evaluation, the scholarship can be renewed, up to a total scholarship duration of 4 years.
• We offer the opportunity to take part in academic activities within the scope of your work, as well as the opportunity to further develop yourself through training and education.
• The planned start date is January 1st, 2027, or as soon as possible after that date.
• 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.
• As a doctoral researcher, you will have access to a wide and varied range of courses and an educational credit through the Antwerp Doctoral School .
• You will do most of your work at the City Campus in a dynamic and stimulating working environment. The Centre of Social Policy hosts a vibrant and international community of motivated researchers looking into a range of related research questions.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here .

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.