Nine PhD positions: Interuniversity Center for Social Science Theory and Methodology (ICS)

The Interuniversity Center for Social Science Theory and Methodology (ICS) offers fully funded PhD positions in the Netherlands for a variety of innovative and fascinating research projects. 

The PhD candidates will be appointed at one of the four ICS institutes for a four-year period (in Amsterdam, Groningen, Nijmegen or Utrecht). In this period the candidates will work on their individual project, leading to a doctoral dissertation. 

The program (fully taught in English) will start 1 September 2026. 

Interviews will be conducted on 13 and 14 April 2026. There will be an (online) interview with the ICS-board immediately followed by an interview with the project supervisors.   

Invitations for interviews will be sent by email after 24 March 2026. 

Application 

If you are interested in (one of) these PhD positions, please use the ‘apply’ button. You need to upload the following documents, in pdf-format. 

  • A cover letter explaining your motivation (including the motivation for applying at the ICS and an explanation why you consider yourself as a suitable candidate for the preferred project(s) 
  • A detailed Curriculum Vitae, including relevant extra-curricular activities and work experience 
  • Copies of diplomas, a list of your courses taken, and grades obtained, and a proof of ability to communicate and write in English (Certificate and/or writing sample) 
  • Contact information of two references 
  • A copy and the title of your master’s thesis (or an unfinished version) 

Apply here!   

Deadline for the applications is March 8, 2026. 

PhD projects 2026 
Project 1 Inherited Networks: the intergenerational transmission of social networks (RU) 
Project 2 Navigating social network deficits among migrant populations (UU) 
Project 3 The interplay between the welfare state and social network deficits (UU) 
Project 4 How firms structure gender inequality over careers (UvA) 
Project 5 How firms structure ethnic inequality in career trajectories (UvA) 
Project 6 Why do firms have long-term effects on careers? The role of technological change (UvA) 
Project 7 Polarization in workplaces and families (UU) 
Project 8 Inter-minority relations in Western-Europe (UU) 

 

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