Postdoc 'Social inequality and diversity'

University of Amsterdam, Netherlands

Updated: over 1 year ago

Deadline: ;

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences will use the national government’s funds from the sectoral plan for the Social Sciences and Humanities to make additional investments in the interdisciplinary theme 'Social Inequality and Diversity'. Therefore, the Department of Sociology is looking for two postdoctoral researchers.

Do you have expertise in the area of Social Inequality and Diversity? Are you a passionate researcher and do you like to initiate relevant new research?

The department of sociology is one of the largest and among the leading sociology departments in Europe. It harbors a long tradition of theoretically informed, conceptually innovative and empirically driven research. Moreover, research at the department can be characterised by its critical and publicly engaged approach to urgent societal problems and questions. The department is thematically broad and pluralistic, both when it comes to theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches. It seeks to transmit these academic values to students as well, by offering a Bachelor program (with both English and Dutch as languages of instruction), a one year Master program , and, together with the faculty’s other social sciences, an interdisciplinary, two year research Master program (both Master programs have English as the language of instruction.

Research at the department is organized in three program groups – Cultural Sociology ; Political Sociology ; Institutions, Inequalities and Life courses – and is embedded in the Amsterdam Institute of Social Science Research (AISSR ). In different ways, using different theoretical framings and based on different methodologies, research on the theme of Social Inequality and Diversity is conducted by staff members of all three program groups. The current position will be embedded in one of these three research groups depending on the thematic, theoretical and methodological affinities of the selected candidate.

Current research of staff members focuses among others on racial, gender, and class-based inequalities and issues of diversity emerging in life courses, in (health) care settings, on the labor market, in educational systems, in migration settings or in the wider stratification of society. In doing so, both political, cultural as well as institutional dimensions of inequality and diversity are thematized. While some have focused on these issues on the level of cities or nation states, others have taken a cross-comparative, or global approach. Many of these themes also return in the curriculum of the various teaching programs in which the department is involved.

What are you going to do?

In this position you will:

do your research within the theme Social Inequality and Diversity;
present and publish your research to an international scientific audience;
be active in the acquisition of research grants;
seek (knowledge) exchange and (research) cooperation with professionals on your research area;
contribute to teaching in Social Inequality and Diversity;
make a positive contribution to the organization and cooperation within the program group and the department.

What do you have to offer?

You have:

a completed PhD in Sociology or in another, adjacent social science discipline relevant for this position;
demonstrable experience in research on the theme of Social Inequality and Diversity
excellent research skills, as demonstrated by publications in international journals or with international publishers;
original ideas for new, relevant research on the theme of Social Inequality and Diversity;
ambition to conduct both academic research and research that may directly contributes to social change;
excellent command of English and, preferably, Dutch, in word and writing;
the ability to work independently as well as part of a team;
some experience in teaching;
good communication, social and organizational skills.

In addition, you are an enthusiastic colleague who likes to share knowledge, embraces open science, is curious, critical and eager to learn. Considering the current composition of our staff, and our commitment to diversity, we prioritize hiring people from groups presently underrepresented within our department.

Our offer

The position concerns a temporary employment contract for 32 - 38 hours per week, for the duration of 24 months with a probationary period of two months. Depending on education and relevant work experience, the salary amounts to a minimum of €3,974 and a maximum of €5,439 gross per month (salary scale 11) based on full-time working hours (38 hours per week). This is exclusive 8% vacation allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. The Cao Dutch Universities is applicable. In addition, we offer an extensive package of secondary employment conditions, including a generous vacation scheme, and we believe it is important that you continue to develop and professionalize yourself. To this end, we offer excellent study and development opportunities.

The starting date of the position is November 1st or before. Due to funding requirements, a starting date in 2023 is not negotiable for this position.

What else can we offer you?

A challenging workplace with varied tasks and plenty of room for personal initiative and development in an inspiring organization.

Working at the UvA means working in a critical, independent, innovative and international climate, characterised by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with multiple stake-holders in Amsterdam and across the world. The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences is committed to diversity and inclusion within its community and especially welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups.

About us

The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest range of courses. An intellectual hub with 39,000 students, 6,000 staff and 3,000 PhD students. Connected by a culture of curiosity.

The Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences plays a leading role in addressing the major societal challenges facing the world, the Netherlands and Amsterdam, now and in the future.

Curious about our organization and attractive fringe benefits such as a generous vacation plan and development opportunities? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam here .

Questions

For questions about the position or the department please contact:

Prof. dr. Olav Velthuis (chair of the department from 1 September onwards)

[email protected]

Job application

If you recognize yourself in the profile and are interested in the position, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the link below. We would like to receive all together in one PDF:

a motivation letter of max. 2 pages;
a cv, including a list of publications;
a statement of research plans of max. 1 page;
names and contact details of 2 references.

The application period closes on 15 September. Applications received after the deadline, which are not sent via the link or are incomplete, will unfortunately not be considered.