Vacancy: Postdoctoral Researcher in BAM Project – Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

The BAM Project:
The Sociology Department of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is seeking a post-doctoral researcher in the field of economics  to work on the international project BAM: Becoming A Minority. The BAM project (2018) is funded by an Advanced Grant from the European Research Council (ERC) and is led by Prof. Dr. M.R.J. (Maurice) Crul. https://www.academictransfer.com/employer/VU/vacancy/44114/lang/en/

The BAM project is a pioneering project that examines how people of native descent respond to becoming a minority in majority-minority city contexts. The project turns the integration question upside down and concentrates on how the former majority groups react to the changing demographics and dynamics in the urban contexts, where now the majority of the population has a migration background. With the present-day backlash against migrants in Europe, it becomes clear that integration processes of all groups involved cannot be fully understood if migration scholars do not also look at the acceptance or rejection of this increased ethnic diversity by the people of native descent, who formed the former majority. Hence, we are looking for critical scholars eager and able to contribute to the development of a new line of research and thinking in migration and ethnic studies. BAM is a comparative project and the study will be executed in 6 different cities across 4 countries; three harbour cities, Rotterdam, Antwerp and Malmö, and three service sector cities, Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Vienna.

BAM consists of 5 subprojects where four PhD students and 2 post-doc researchers will work together with the PI, a senior researcher and a project coordinator:  (1) A meta-analysis of secondary data on people of native descent in the six research sites; (2) Developing a survey for the target group; (3) An analysis of critical circumstances of encounter that trigger either positive or rather negative responses to increased ethnic diversity (4) Experimental ‘diversity labs’ to test under which circumstances people will change their attitudes or their actions towards increased ethnic diversity; (5) The formulation of a new theory of integration that includes the changed position of the group of native descent, who formed the former majority as an important factor. Working closely together with the PI and other team members, the Post-doc researcher will be responsible for the secondary data analysis of the existing data sets and will lead the development of the BAM survey.

Tasks:
• Conduct a meta-analysis of different local data-sets and administrative data across 6 cities in 5 countries
• Lead the design of a large scale (BAM) survey;
• Fully participate in BAM project activities and publications and reports in collaboration with the other BAM team members;
• Participate in international conferences, workshops, seminars and other scholarly activities.

Requirements

Candidates should have the following credentials:
• PhD in economics, economic sociology or political economy;
• Excellent quantitative research skills, demonstrated in previous publications and participation in research projects;
• Experience with survey design;
• A good record in quantitative research methods proven in articles in recognized peer-reviewed journals, either published or, in case of a very recently completed PhD, in an advanced stage of preparation;
• A proven research interest in the topic of the BAM project, with regards to the tasks expected;
• Excellent English writing and communication skills;
• Ability, willingness and commitment to work in a multidisciplinary team.

Conditions of employment

The appointment will be on a temporary basis for the duration of two years. The position is part-time (0.4fte). You can find information about our excellent fringe benefits of employment at www.workingatvu.nl like:
• Remuneration of  8,3% end-of-year bonus and  8% holiday allowance;
• Solid pension scheme (ABP);
• A minimum of 29 holidays in case of full-time employment;
• Discounts on collective insurances (healthcare- and car insurance).

Employer

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) is a leading, innovative and growing university that is at the heart of society and actively contributes to new developments in teaching and research. Our university has ten faculties, and provides work for over 4,500 staff and scientific education for more than 23,000 students.

Department

www.fsw.vu.nl/en/research/institute-for-societal-resilience/

The Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS) is one of the larger faculties of the Vrije Universiteit. Over 2,500 students and more than 250 employees are engaged in teaching and research on social-science issues.
The faculty has 5 bachelor- and 7 master programs. The faculty offers bachelor and master programs in anthropology, political science, public administration, sociology, communication science and organization science. The main focus of research is societal resilience.

Additional information

The salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel, and depending on experience, range from a minimum of €2,588.- gross per month up to a maximum of €4,084.- gross per month (salary scale 10) based on a fulltime employment.

Information
For additional information please contact: Drs. I.E. (Ismintha) Waldring
phone: +31 630050739