Doctoral researcher of family ties and internal mobility (Demography)

The Centre for Demographic Research of the UCLouvain (Belgium – www.uclouvain.be/demo) recruits a Doctoral researcher researcher to work on the ERC-funded project FamilyTies.

The Center for Demographic Research (DEMO) at the Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain) belongs to the Institute for the Analysis of Change in Contemporary and Historical Societies (IACCHOS). DEMO, funded in 1963, is a vibrant medium-size (~ 40 researchers) research group that gathers population researchers from all over the world. DEMO is conducting fundamental and applied research in demography around 7 themes: historical and contemporary demography of Belgium (1), data and method development (2), fertility, family transformations and gender relations (3), international migration and integration (4), population and health dynamics in low- and middle-income countries (5), the challenges of ageing (6), and population, environment and energy (7). The center is known for its organization of the yearly international Quetelet Seminar and the international Quetelet Journal.

Project Description ERC project FamilyTies

‘Family ties that bind: A new view of internal migration, immobility and labour-market outcomes

 Internal migration (long-distance moves within national borders) is generally assumed to be beneficial to individuals and households. The FamilyTies project introduces a novel perspective on internal migration and immobility, which focuses on the role of family outside the household in deciding on whether and where to relocate, and which takes into account contemporary family complexity. The aim is to identify the role of family ties in internal migration, immobility and labour-market outcomes. The project’s objectives are:

1. Identifying the role of family ties as a key determinant of immobility.

2. Explaining migration towards family in relation to migration in other directions.

3. Determining to what extent family-related motives drive migration and immobility.

4. Unravelling the consequences of (im)mobility related to family ties on individual labour-market outcomes.

UCLouvain is a second beneficiary in this 5-year (2017-2022) ERC Advanced Grant project (PI Clara H. Mulder, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Netherlands). DEMO’s access to extensive Belgian population data enables novel perspectives in the analysis of internal migration. National Register data (1981-2018) offers longitudinal information on residential changes on micro level. Census data (1981, 1991, 2001 and 2011) complements with rich information on the individual’s household situation; contextual information can be added.

The doctoral researcher will study internal migration in relation to family dynamics (transition to childbearing, divorce, partnership formation, leaving the parental home) and health indicators.

We are looking for candidates with:

• a Master degree in population studies, demography, human geography, economics, sociology or another relevant social science;
• Excellent quantitative research skills;
• Good writing skills; fluency in English; preferably mastering some French or willing to learn French;
• Strong conceptual thinking; strong planning skills, ability to organize own work and related activities, ability to meet deadlines.

Conditions

• Duration: 30 months (The supervisor will help the selected candidate to apply for follow-up funding)
• Net monthly allowance starts at 1,940 €.

We ask you to submit:

• a motivation letter,
• a one-page research proposal in relation to the FamilyTies project including provisional research questions and analytical approach to address them using Belgian census and register data;
• your complete CV, including the study results of your Master programme and the names and contact details of two reference persons

Conditions

• Duration: 30 months (The supervisor will help the selected candidate to apply for follow-up funding)
• Net monthly allowance starts at 1,940 €.

Selection process

We ask you to submit:

• a motivation letter,
• a one-page research proposal in relation to the FamilyTies project including provisional research questions and analytical approach to address them using Belgian census and register data;
• your complete CV, including the study results of your Master programme and the names and contact details of two reference persons

You may apply for this position until 15 September 2019 12:00pm. Send your application (all documents in one pdf file) to Christine.schnor@uclouvain.be, mentioning in the subject APPLICATION FAMILYTIES. Specify whether you are applying for a predoc or postdoc position.

Interviews with the selection committee will take place end of September/beginning of October.

Additional comments

Information

An overview of the project is provided at www.rug.nl/FamilyTies. The project proposal and further information about the project and the position can be obtained from Prof.dr Christine Schnor (Christine.schnor@uclouvain.be ).

Skills/Qualifications

We are looking for candidates with:

• a Master degree in population studies, demography, human geography, economics, sociology or another relevant social science;
• Excellent quantitative research skills;
• Good writing skills; fluency in English; preferably mastering some French or willing to learn French;
• Strong conceptual thinking; strong planning skills, ability to organize own work and related activities, ability to meet deadlines.