Postdoctoral Fellowship on Society as a Complex System: Polarization, Segregation and Inequality

Are you interested in complex systems with focus on societal applications? Are you keen on making large physical/mathematical/computational models of social dynamics? Would you like to understand better the interrelations between polarisation, segregation and inequality using large data sets and methods from physics, mathematics, computational sciences, economics, sociology, psychology, or law? Do you find it fun to think about potential interventions that could result in a more equal and fair society? Do you enjoy working in an interdisciplinary setting?

The Research Priority Area, Emergent Phenomena in Society: Polarisation, Segregation and Inequality (RPA PSI) at the University of Amsterdam has three 3-year open postdoc positions. Besides the annual salary detailed below, the position includes € 4k of travel funding per year as well as access to funding for workshops, meetings, and visitors. 

RPA PSI is an interdisciplinary collaboration at the University of Amsterdam with the goal of uncovering the interplay between the various mechanisms underlying the social phenomena of polarization, segregation and inequality using a large data set curated by CBS (Statistics Netherlands). 

The collaboration involves various faculties at the University of Amsterdam, including the Faculty of Science (FNWI), the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), the Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences (FMG) and the Faculty of Law (FdR) as well as the the knowledge institute CBS.

What are you going to do?

As a postdoc you are expected to join a broad group of researchers with the scientific goal of understanding how to model the interrelations between polarisation, segretation and inequality. The team includes J. Armas (physics), C. Mulatier (physics, computer science), J. de Boer (physics), M. Lees (computer science), M. Mandjes (mathematics), H. van der Maas (psychology), J. Uitermark (social science), C. Diks (economics), J. Tuinstra (economics), C. Mak (law), and F. Pijpers (mathematics, data science) as well as Tommaso Giommoni (economics). 

This team spans various methodological approaches including statistical physics, socio-econo physics, agent-based modeling, stochastic systems, formalization of psychological theories, contextual/historical analyses, behavioral economics and data science, legal dogmatic/theoretical analyses and critical approaches to law, and constraining complex models with data.

We expect that your postdoc project should be placed at the intersection of at least two types of social phenomena: (1) polarization/segregation; (2) segregation/inequality; (3) polarization/inequality. The goal of the project is to model (using different methodologies described above) the interplay between any of the two types of emergent phenomena (1), (2), or (3), and calibrate the models using data from CBS and other sources.

We advise you to carefully read the scientific goals of this research programme (including ideas for potential projects) at https://www.d-iep.org/emergentphenomenainsociety . With this in mind you should elaborate a maximum two-page project proposal detailing a research project within this area and potential supervisors within the team. You are welcome to contact the researchers involved in elaborating your proposal.

More specifically we expect you to have the following tasks and responsibilities:

• Be the main driving force behind your projects in collaboration with the supervising members and conduct novel research in the area of polarization, segregation and inequality.
• Be able to work together with researchers of different backgrounds.
• Join the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) at the University of Amsterdam every Thursday to interact with the researchers within RPA PSI and more broadly with researchers from the Dutch Institute for Emergent Phenomena (DIEP).
• Assist in organizing workshops, meetings, seminars, visitors programme, outreach activities and contribute to a lively research culture.
• Your research project should involve supervisors from at least 2 different faculties.

Your profile

We expect that you:

• Have a PhD in mathematics, physics, computer science, economics, social science, psychology, law, data science or a closely related field;
• Have experience as an interdisciplinary researcher;
• Have excellent organisational, communication and cooperation skills.

Our offer

We offer a temporary employment contract for 38 hours per week for a period of 3 years {with a probationary period of two months}. The preferred starting date is as soon as possible.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 3,226 to € 5,090 (scale 10). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
• multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
• a complete educational program for PhD students;
• multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
• multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
• 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
• partly paid parental leave;
• the possibility to set up a workplace at home;
• a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
• the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
• help with housing for a studio or small apartment when you’re moving from abroad.

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here .

About us

The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 30,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

The Dutch Institute for Emergent Phenomena is an interdisciplinary research center at the University of Amsterdam focused on the study of emergent phenomena across scales and across scientific disciplines. It gathers expertise on physics, mathematics, chemistry, computer science, logic, ecosystems, social and behavioural science, economics, and law and is endowed with a vibrant culture of scientific exchange.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

Any questions?

Do you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact:

Job application

If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the button below. We accept applications until and including 15 May 2024.

Applications should include the following information (all files besides your cv should be submitted in one single pdf file ):

• A detailed CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience. Your CV should include your list of publications and the names and email addresses of 3 references who can provide letters of recommendation;
• A maximum 1 page letter of motivation to join this collaboration;
• A maximum 2 page research proposal with an outline of your project and potential supervisors involved.

A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure.
(for details: national knowledge security guidelines )

Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered.

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritize diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.

No agencies please.