Doctoral scholarship holder household financial resilience 1950-1975

Let’s shape the future - University of Antwerp

The University of Antwerp is a dynamic, forward-thinking university. We offer an innovative academic education to more than 20000 students, conduct pioneering scientific research and play an important service-providing role in society. We are one of the largest, most international and most innovative employers in the region. With more than 6000 employees from 100 different countries, we are helping to build tomorrow's world every day. Through top scientific research, we push back boundaries and set a course for the future – a future that you can help to shape. 

The Department of History in the Faculty of Arts is looking for a full-time (100%) doctoral scholarship holder in the field of household financial resilience 1950-1975.

Position

• You will work actively on the preparation and defence of a PhD thesis in Social Sciences or History. You will analyse the buffers that were available to households in the past to cope with financial shocks. This PhD project focuses on the historical interplay between private buffers (savings and other wealth, loans, financial assistance from family/friends) and public buffers (social security) in the Netherlands in the period 1950-1975 – when the welfare state was established and household wealth increased strongly.
• You will develop a microsimulation model which allows to study the impact of Dutch historical social policy on the financial situation of households (comparable to the modern microsimulation model EUROMOD).
• You will participate in the activities organized by the research group you will become part of (The Social History of Finance).
• You will publish scientific articles related to the research project.
• You will present the results of your research on (inter)national workshops and conferences.
• You will carry out a limited number of teaching and research support tasks.

Profile

• You hold a Master degree in Social-Economic Sciences, Sociology, Economics, History or a related discipline or you will have obtained it by the time you start working.
• You can demonstrate excellent study results.
• You can demonstrate knowledge of quantitative methods relevant in the Social Sciences. Experience with microsimulation modelling is a benefit.
• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
• You have a strong analytical mind and you pay attention to detail.
• You can demonstrate excellent presentation and writing skills in English.
• You understand Dutch (or willing to learn) sufficiently to be able to work with historical sources that may only be available in Dutch.
• Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision.
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies.

What we offer

• We offer a doctoral scholarship for a period of two years. Following a positive evaluation, the scholarship can be renewed once for another two-year period.
• The planned start date is January 1^st 2025 or as soon as possible afterwards.
• Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for doctoral scholarship holders
• You will receive ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
• You will do most of your work at City campus within the multidisciplinary research group The Social History of Finance, in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here.
• We offer opportunities to take part in courses and winter-/summerschools to further develop your scientific knowledge and skills.

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including October 10^th 2024 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button and complete the online application form. Be sure to include the following attachments:
  • a motivation letter
  • your CV
  • an example that testifies your academic writing skills (e.g. master’s thesis or scientific publication)
• The selection committee reviews all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision is made, we will notify you. If you are still eligible after the pre-selection, you will be informed about the possible next step(s) in the selection procedure. Selection interviews will take place in the week of October 14^th or 21^st 2024.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact the supervisors for this position: dr. Sarah Kuypers (sarah.kuypers@uantwerpen.be) or Prof. dr. Oscar Gelderblom (oscar.gelderblom@uantwerpen.be).

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.