PhD Scholarship in Sociology

EURAXESS Ireland; Brussel Hoofdstad; Hybrid; EUR 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full-time PhD scholarship

Home-working options

Hospitalisation insurance

Reimbursement for commute

Learning platforms and training courses

Job summary

EURAXESS Ireland is offering a position for a First Stage Researcher (R1) at Vrije Universiteit Brussel. This full-time PhD scholarship lasts 12 months (extendable) and focuses on researching how AI systems influence societal inequalities.

Qualified applicants should hold a Master’s degree in sociology or a related field and have strong knowledge of Dutch and English. The role includes teaching, conducting research, and collaborating in a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in sociology or a related social science.
• Excellent knowledge of Dutch and English.
• Solid quantitative mindset and experience with statistical analysis.

Responsibilities

• Support statistical courses within the Bachelor of Sociology.
• Develop a PhD research topic on AI and societal implications.
• Conduct research using quantitative and computational methods.

Skills

Statistical analysis

Dutch proficiency

English proficiency

Research skills

Quantitative mindset

Education

Master's degree in sociology or related social science

Job description

Position

First Stage Researcher (R1) – PhD student with a doctoral grant.

Employer: Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Faculty of Social Sciences & Solvay Business School, Department Sociology, Research Group Brussels Institute for Social and Population Studies.

Responsibilities

• Support and assist statistical and quantitative courses within the Bachelor of Sociology as part of the teaching activities (approximately 30% of workload).
• Take part in the day‑to‑day functioning of the department.
• Develop a PhD research topic and engage with how AI systems shape, reproduce, or challenge inequalities across domains such as public services, labour markets, education, or migration governance.
• Conduct research using quantitative, computational, and mixed‑methods approaches, including algorithmic bias and fairness, trust in AI, data‑driven decision‑making, societal implications of AI deployment, and socially responsible use of AI.
• Submit the research topic to the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO) as part of a 'Fundamental research' fellowship application.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in sociology or a related social science (statistics, demography, economics, data science, political science, communications, computational social science).
• Excellent knowledge of Dutch and English and ability to teach, supervise students, and communicate in both languages.
• Solid quantitative mindset and experience with statistical analysis, or strong motivation to develop these skills.
• Motivated and intellectually curious researcher with an interest in the societal implications of artificial intelligence, data, and digital technologies.
• Recent graduates are encouraged to apply.
• Not a paid researcher for more than 12 months cumulatively.
• Non‑EEA nationals must meet conditions for obtaining a valid permit for VUB and comply with residence requirements.

Benefits

• Full‑time PhD scholarship for 12 months (extendable up to 48 months on condition of positive evaluation).
• Extensive home‑working options; telework allowance of €50 per month or internet fee of €20 per month.
• Open and informal working environment with a strong focus on work‑life balance and 35 days of leave (full‑time contract).
• Cost‑free hospitalisation insurance.
• Full reimbursement of home‑to‑work commute with public transport (or compensation for cycling).
• Campus restaurants at attractive prices, sports and exercise facilities, and various discounts through Benefits@Work.
• On‑campus nursery and discount on holiday camps.
• Learning platforms and training courses for continuous development.
• Collaborative colleagues and healthy workplace culture.

Equality and Diversity

The VUB values talent regardless of gender, age, religion, skin colour, migration background, disability, or neurodiversity.