PhD student in Sociology

1 - Working at the VUB

For more than 50 years, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel has stood for freedom, equality and solidarity, and this is very much alive on our campuses among students and staff alike. 

At the VUB, you will find a diverse collection of personalities: innovators pur sang, but above all people who are 100% their authentic selves. With some 4,000 employees, we are the largest Dutch-speaking employer, in the private sector, in Brussels; an international city with which we are only too happy to connect and where (around) our 4 campuses are located. 

Add to this our principle of free research - in which self-reflection, a critical attitude and an open, creative mind around scientific and social issues are central - and you have a university that is fundamentally groundbreaking and pioneering in education and research. In short: the VUB all over again. 

Moreover, the VUB is a member of EUTOPIA, an alliance of like-minded European universities, all ready to reinvent themselves.

2 - Position description

The Faculty Social Sciences & Solvay Business School, Department Sociologie, is looking for a PhD-student with a doctoral grant.  

More specifically, in preparation for a PhD, your tasks will be as follows:  

This PhD research is part of a 4-year research project in which we collect data with and from different migrant populations in Belgium  (including the implementation of a unique migrant survey). These data are all related to the wellbeing and living and working conditions of migrants. You will be expected to support the implementation of the survey and the search for other data sources (e.g. administrative data). In terms of content, you will be asked to conduct research in the field of migration, labour and health.  

This PhD project offers a unique opportunity to engage in research in the field of health sociology, labour sociology and migration studies. You will be expected to write a dissertation under the supervision of prof. Veerle Buffel and prof. Eva Van Belle in which you will: 

• formulate research questions within the given topic, define a package of research tasks and apply for external funding (It goes without saying that you will be guided by the supervisors and more experienced colleagues.) 
• work on the development, implementation and analysis of a survey 
• contribute to finding ways of recruiting hard-to-reach populations for research 
• investigate alternative data sources 
• carry out quantitative research based on the collected data  
• publish your research in international peer-reviewed journals
• assist with project-related work, such as actively disseminating research findings to a broader audience and organising project meetings. 

For this function, our  Brussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus (Elsene) will serve as your home base.  

3 - Profile

What do we expect from you?

A master’s degree in the social sciences (e.g. sociology, demography, economics, statistics or a related discipline).

Candidates who can demonstrate that they will obtain their master’s degree in June or August/September 2024 are also eligible to apply. 

• Demonstrable expertise in (advanced) quantitative analysis. Knowledge of qualitative methods is a plus.   
• An excellent academic record, demonstrated by good grades. 
• Familiarity with survey research, design and implementation. 
• Practical experience with statistical software (e.g. R, STATA, SPSS, etc.).  
• Excellent knowledge of English. Proficiency in one or more of the following languages: Arabic, Dari/Persian, Russian, Ukrainian, or Turkish is strongly preferred. Knowledge of Dutch and/or French is an advantage. 
• Excellent social and communication skills required to work in a team and establish relations with local community members, NGOs and governmental services in Belgium; 

• You have not performed any works in the execution of a mandate as an assistant, paid from operating resources, over a total (cumulated) period of more than 12 months.

The VUB wants to be a reflection of the society where everyone's talent is valued, regardless of gender, age, religion, skin color, migration background, disability and neurodiversity.

4 - Offer

Are you going to be our new colleague?

You’ll be offered a full-time PhD-scholarship, for 12 months (extendable up to max. 48 months, on condition of the positive evaluation of the PhD activities), with planned starting date 01/09/2024. 

You’ll receive a grant linked to one of the scales set by the government.

IMPORTANT: The effective result of the doctorate scholarship is subject to the condition precedent of your enrolment as a doctorate student at the university.

At the VUB, you’re guaranteed an open, involved and diverse workplace where you are offered opportunities to (further) build on your career.

As well as this, you will also enjoy various other benefits:

• Extensive homeworking options, a telework allowance of 50 euros per month OR an internet fee of 20 euros per month;
• An open and informal working environment where attention is paid to work-life balance, and exceptional holiday arrangements with 35 days of leave (based on a fulltime contract), closure between Christmas and New Year and 3 extra leave days;
• Cost-free hospitalisation insurance;
• Full reimbursement of your home-to-work commute with public transport according to VUB-policy, and/or compensation if you come by bike; 
• A wide selection of meals in our campus restaurants at attractive prices;
• Excellent and affordable facilities for sport and exercise, a range of discounts via Benefits@Work (in  all kinds of shops, on flights, in petrol stations, amusement parks...) and Ecocheques; 
• Nursery near campus, discount on holiday camps; 
• The space to form your job content and to continuously learn through our VUB learning platforms and training courses;
• And finally: great colleagues with a healthy drive.

5 - Interested?

Is this the job you’ve been dreaming of?

Then apply, at the latest on 28/06/2024, via jobs.vub.be and upload the following documents:

• your CV;
• your motivation letter;
• your diploma (not applicable for VUB alumni).

Shortlisted candidates will be requested to submit a reference letter. The job interviews will take place the 8th, 9th or 10th of July 

Do you have questions about the job content? Contact Veerle Buffel at veerle.buffel@vub.be or on 0495535972.

Would you like to know what it’s like to work at the VUB? Go to jobs.vub.be, and find all there is to know about our campuses, benefits, strategic goals and your future colleagues.

Would you like more information about EUTOPIA? Go to eutopia-university.eu, and read more about the role of the VUB in the development of the EUTOPIA alliance.