Vacancy: Vacature Promovendus “Employment insecurity and family formation patterns”

The Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI) is looking for an excellent:

PhD candidate (1.0 fte)

For the project
Employment insecurity and family formation patterns in the Netherlands: Differences by migrant background explored and explained

General description
Aim of the project is to understand how the relationship between employment insecurity and family formation varies (or not) across groups with different migrant backgrounds in the Netherlands.

Young adults in the Netherlands delay major family transitions like entry into a partner relationship, marriage and parenthood. It has been suggested that this, in the first decades of the 21st century, is related to the precarious position of young adults on the labour market. The uncertainty in labour market arrangements (like having a temporary job or being self-employed) may not provide the essential employment security young adults perceive necessary for starting a family. However, the strength of the relationship between employment insecurity and family formation could vary across groups with different migrant backgrounds. Theoretical arguments suggest that the strength of the link could either be stronger or weaker depending on the available resources and cultural norms within groups with different migrant backgrounds. The project will compare these relationships among the Dutch population and relevant migrant communities, controlling for important covariates (e.g. educational attainment) that are known to confound the relevant relationships.

For this study the most recent full Dutch population data and linked registers will be used. They allow to focus on a range of different migrant background groups and to cover a range of relevant individual and family level indicators.

The project will be linked to two theme groups at NIDI: “Families and generations” and “Migration and migrants”. The PhD candidate will work under supervision of its leaders Prof. A.C. Liefbroer and Prof. H.A.G. de Valk who are both based at NIDI and affiliated with the University of Groningen where the PhD student is expected to defend the thesis (based on a compilation of scientific articles).

Qualifications
For this project the candidate should have:

  • A master degree in sociology, demography or related social science discipline
  • Solid background in quantitative data analyses and knowledge of advanced statistical methods
  • Excellent knowledge of English
  • Excellent writing and social skills
  • Knowledge of family demography, family sociology and/or migration sociology/demography is an asset

NIDI
The Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI) is a research institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and affiliated with the University of Groningen. It is located in the centre of The Hague. The staff of the institute consists of about 50 employees, mostly researchers in the broad domain of population studies.

Appointment and salary
The candidate is expected to start on October 1, 2018. The initial appointment will be for a period of 1 year. After positive evaluation, the appointment will be extended for another 3 years. A psychological assessment can be part of the selection procedure.

The gross monthly salary will be in line with the Dutch regulations for academic staff at the PhD level. Benefits include pension contribution, annual holiday premium of 8% and an end-of-year premium of 8.3%.

Place of work
NIDI, Lange Houtstraat 19, The Hague

Information
For additional information you may contact:
prof. dr. A.C. Liefbroer (liefbroer@nidi.nl) or
prof. dr. H.A.G. de Valk (valk@nidi.nl)

More information on NIDI can be found at our website:www.nidi.nl

Application procedure
Candidates are invited to submit their application in English. Applicants should send:

  • Letter of motivation (max 2 pages)
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Copy of university grades (transcript)
  • One sample of written work, e.g. copy of master dissertation, published article, or coursework
  • Names of two referees

The deadline for submitting your application is 1 July 2018. Please send your application to the director of NIDI, prof. dr. L.J.G. van Wissen (hr@nidi.nl).

Interviews take place and are planned for in the week of 9 July 2018 at NIDI in the Hague.

Acquisition based on this advertisement is not appreciated.