PhD candidate in Economics and Governance of Migration

The Department of Economics of Leiden Law School and Leiden University College of the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs, have a vacancy for a PhD candidate in Economics and Governance of Migration.

Project description
In the period 2019-2023, Leiden University’s Executive Board (CvB) will invest 3.5 million euros in the inter-disciplinary focus area ‘Citizenship, Migration and Global Transformations.’ Within this initiative, funding for the pillar on ‘Social Citizenship and Migration’ allows the Department of Economics and Leiden University College to jointly appoint a PhD candidate.

Many European countries face a wide variety of challenges resulting from old and new migrations, which raise questions regarding perceived threats and opportunities transpiring from ethnic diversity, integration and social participation, racism, and the need for (re-)defining national identity, belonging, civic responsibilities and the sustainability of national social welfare regimes. These challenges test the limits of cross-national and cross-generational solidarities, addressing the very foundation of governance and society. Solutions that have been formulated range from policies and regulations for immigration, to education and stimulating social participation to restructuring the welfare state. Importantly, challenges are not only related to migrants but pertain to all social groups, who, in varying degrees, are faced with questions regarding identity, solidarity, belonging, hospitality and compassion, as well as participation in politics and society. These questions all refer to what we call social citizenship, which is not about nationalities recorded in a passport, but about feelings and practices of belonging, responsibilities and loyalties.

The overall aim of this programme is to analyze how developments in immigration and social citizenship provide and provided challenges and opportunities for the governance of societies and to inform theory and practice. Several societal and governance issues related to citizenship (e.g. housing, social conflict over ideology, moral values, exercising of rights) have become even more complex due to recent developments in immigration. These themes have been studied before, but not sufficiently in conjunction and not from multiple, integrated, perspectives.

The PhD candidate will work in a sub-project that is embedded in the Department of Economics and Leiden University College. Changes in the ways in which people shape social citizenship affect political preferences that in turn may affect social institutions such as the welfare state. To understand how social rights are seen as at risk because of immigration, an economic and governance perspective is necessary. It will examine if, how, when and why immigration affects the support for socio-economic policies (pensions, unemployment or healthcare), and how that relates to perceptions of social citizenship.  

Key responsibilities

• Conduct innovative research within the framework of the programme Social Citizenship and Migration;
• Write a PhD thesis;
• Submit research results for publication in academic journals;
• Present papers at international conferences;
• Actively disseminate the research findings;
• Organise and participate in seminars, workshops and conferences of the programme;
• Teach in the programmes of the Department of Economics;
• Follow PhD courses based on an individual training plan.

Selection criteria

• A master’s degree in economics, public administration, political science or sociology;
• Excellent skills in quantitative research methods and writing, demonstrated by a master’s thesis and/or publications;
• Experience in using statistical software (e.g. Stata, R);
• An explicit interest in migration, labour economics or political economy and empirical research;
• Teaching experience is not a requirement, but is considered an advantage;
• An excellent command of the English language, knowledge of the Dutch language is considered an advantage;
• Excellent social skills and ability to work well in teams.

Our organisation
With over 5,000 students and 450 members of staff, Leiden Law School is one of the largest faculties in the Netherlands. Yet, in all its diversity, it is still known for its ability to provide education on a small scale. The faculty focuses on multi-faceted high-level teaching and research, both nationally and internationally. It does so by working with talented people and stimulating and supporting them in their professional and personal ambitions. The faculty is housed in the beautifully restored Kamerlingh Onnes Building on the Steenschuur in Leiden. Working for the Leiden Law School means working in an inspiring scientific environment. For more information, see Leiden Law School.

Leiden University College The Hague (LUC The Hague) was founded in 2010 as the international honours college of Leiden University in The Netherlands for a select group of excellent and highly motivated students from around the world. The LUC academic staff consists of highly ambitious and international scholars recruited from top institutes across the globe, who combine excellent teaching skills with conducting innovative multidisciplinary research.

The Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs is one of the seven faculties of Leiden University. Firmly rooted in the academic tradition, our students and researchers work together with national and international partners on new insights and solutions to current issues at the crossroads of politics, public administration and international law. The Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs offers academic education in the field of Public Administration, Safety and Security, and International Relations, as well as in-depth post-academic programmes for professionals. We are a mere five minutes’ walk from The Hague Central Station and a 20-minute bike/tram ride to the beach.

In the broad field of applied economics, the activities of the Department of Economics are concentrated on socio-economic policy, law and economics and the economics of taxation. The department provides courses for a number of study programmes, such as law, public administration, liberal arts and political science. Moreover, the department participates in a dual bachelor’s programme (Economics, Governance and Management) and a dual master’s programme (Economics and Governance), both hosted in The Hague.   

Terms and conditions
The appointment as a PhD student will be for a period of four years (initially for a period of one year with an extension of three years after positive evaluation of progress and skills development) leading to the successful completion of a PhD thesis. The appointment will be under the terms of the CAO (Collective Labour Agreement) of Dutch Universities. The gross monthly salary is set on € 2.325,- in the first year, increasing to € 2.972,- gross per month in the final year. Start date: 1 January 2020.

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. For international spouses, we have set up a dual career programme. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. For more information: Job application procedure and employment conditions.

The PhD candidate will be appointed at both the Department of Economics (50%) and at Leiden University College (50%). The Department of Economics is part of Leiden Law School. Leiden University College is part of the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs.  

Diversity
Leiden University is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups.

Information
Enquiries can be made to prof. dr. Olaf van Vliet, email: o.p.van.vliet@law.leidenuniv.nl, telephone: 071 527 8551.

Applications
Please submit online your application no later than 15 October 2019. Please ensure that you upload the following additional documents quoting the vacancy number:

• A cover letter stating your motivation for this position;
• A curriculum vitae;
• Your master thesis or other major writing sample;
• Copies of your academic transcripts;
• At this stage, it is not necessary to submit references or recommendation letters.

The selection procedure will take place in October - November 2019.

Enquiries from agencies are not appreciated