PhD Student - Department of Public Health and Primary Care

Last application date Jun 21, 2023 00:00

Department GE39 - Department of Public Health and Primary Care

Contract Limited duration

Degree Master’s degree (with good grades) in the fields of sociology, economics, health sciences, geography, population studies, psychology or related discipline. The degree requirements need to be met by the start of the appointment.

Occupancy rate 100%

Vacancy type Research staff

Job description

The advertised position is part of a new four-years FWO/FWF funded project “Development implications of involuntary immobility”, collaboratively implemented by UGent researchers (from the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration and from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences), and researchers from the University for Continuing Education Krems, Austria.
Project description
Large numbers of young people around the world, particularly in developing countries, wish to migrate but lack the capacity to do so. This project will investigate conceptually and empirically the extent to which this phenomenon, which has been called ‘involuntary immobility’, affects human development, focusing on three dimensions: individuals’ subjective well-being and mental health, their life aspirations, and behavioural responses and alternatives for migration. The PhD candidate is expected to work and conduct research on the dynamic nexus between aspirations and behaviour triggered by involuntary immobility, focusing on youth in Senegal. The PhD candidate will further contribute to the administrative tasks of the project and conduct a PhD project that relates to and uses the data of the project.
Your tasks

• Interdisciplinary research in the “Development implications of involuntary immobility” project
• Conducting qualitative fieldwork in Senegal in duo with another PhD student hired at the University for Continuing Education Krems (Austria)
• Contributing to the collection of quantitative survey data, particularly to survey instrument design and sampling methodology
• Analyzing the quantitative survey data collected through the project
• Publishing research findings in international, peer-reviewed scientific journals
• Engaging in international research collaboration
• Pursuing a PhD in Health Sciences and/or Economics Sciences within four years
• Contributing to the internal and external tasks and activities of the department

Our offer

• We offer you a full-time PhD scholarship for four years (1+3) at Ghent University.
• Your appointment will start on 1 October 2023 at the earliest
• You will be working under the supervision of Prof. Sorana Toma and Prof. Ilse Ruyssen
• Information about our salary scales: https://www.ugent.be/nl/jobs/salarisschalen/aapvwpeas3.htm.
• All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of paid leave, bicycle commuting reimbursement, ecocheques, etc. A complete overview of all our fringe benefits (in NL): https://www.ugent.be/nl/jobs/personeelsvoordelen.htm

Job profile

• University Master’s degree (with good grades) in the fields of sociology, economics, health sciences, geography, population studies, psychology or related discipline. The degree requirements need to be met by the start of the appointment.
• Interest and sound skills in using quantitative research methods are required (e.g. knowledge of a statistical software such as R, Stata, SPSS or SAS)
• Familiarity with qualitative research methods is desirable
• Willingness for conducting field work in Senegal is required
• Good knowledge and skills in writing scientific papers is desirable
• Experience in migration-related research is desirable
• Background/familiarity with mental health/ well-being subjects is a plus
• Experience in collecting qualitative data in the field is desirable
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team of social scientists; Previous experience in trans- and inter-disciplinary settings is desirable
• Good French and English skills (min. B2) required

How to apply

Your application should include:

• Cover letter (min. 2 pages, explaining why you are interested in the position and why you think you are a suitable candidate)
• Curriculum Vitae
• Degrees and transcripts
• Writing samples (max. 2 pieces, e.g. Master thesis, article, etc. which demonstrates your research experience and skills)
• Two reference letters will be requested from advisors of the shortlisted candidates only. Please provide contact details of at least
  two academic reference persons

Important Note: All required documents should be merged into 1 single pdf-file and sent to Sorana.Toma@Ugent.be.

After careful consideration of the applications, shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview with a small committee (Prof. Mathias Czaika, Prof. Ilse Ruyssen, Prof. Sorana Toma) in the week of 3 July 2023 (tentative date).

Candidates who are also interested in the PhD position at the University for Continuing Education Krems on the same project are encouraged to apply there as well through https://www.donau-uni.ac.at/vacancies (Advertisement No. XXX). (Candidates who did not apply through this platform cannot be considered for the Krems PhD position)