Are you passionate about understanding how family background, schools, and neighbourhoods collectively shape educational opportunities and social inequality? Utrecht University in the Netherlands is inviting applications for a fully funded PhD position in Contextual (Dis)advantage and Educational Inequality within the Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences.
This exciting doctoral project seeks to investigate how different social contexts interact to influence educational outcomes and life chances. The successful PhD candidate will work with high-quality Dutch register data and apply advanced quantitative methods, quasi-experimental designs, and simulation techniques to produce internationally recognized research.
About the PhD Project
Educational success is influenced by much more than individual ability or family background. Children develop within interconnected environments, including their families, schools, neighbourhoods, and wider social networks. These environments often reinforce or offset one another, creating cumulative advantages or disadvantages throughout life.
This research project aims to explore:
- How children become sorted into different educational and social contexts.
- How family, school, and neighbourhood characteristics interact.
- Whether advantages in one context compensate for disadvantages in another.
- How these contextual interactions contribute to educational inequality.
The project will use Dutch administrative register data alongside advanced statistical techniques to generate evidence that can inform educational policy and social research.
Responsibilities
The selected PhD candidate will:
- Conduct literature reviews.
- Analyse large-scale administrative datasets.
- Publish research in international scientific journals.
- Write and complete a doctoral dissertation.
- Present research at national and international conferences.
- Participate actively within the Department of Sociology.
- Contribute to teaching activities for up to 10% of working time.
Benefits
Successful applicants will receive:
- A full-time PhD appointment (36–40 hours per week).
- Initial one-year contract, extendable to four years upon satisfactory performance.
- Monthly gross salary ranging from €3,059 (Year 1) to €3,881 (Year 4).
- 8% holiday allowance.
- 8.3% year-end bonus.
- Pension scheme.
- Partially paid parental leave.
- Professional development opportunities.
- Flexible employment conditions.
- Access to sports and cultural activities offered by Utrecht University.
- Opportunity to conduct internationally impactful research at one of Europe’s leading universities.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants should:
- Hold (or be close to completing) a Master’s degree in Sociology, Interdisciplinary Social Science, or a related discipline.
- Demonstrate strong interest in socio-economic and ethnic inequality.
- Have experience with advanced quantitative research methods or willingness to learn.
- Preferably have experience working with large and complex datasets.
- Enjoy academic research and scientific writing.
- Have excellent organizational and communication skills.
- Possess strong English writing and presentation skills.
- Reading proficiency in Dutch is considered an advantage.
About Utrecht University
Utrecht University is one of Europe’s leading research universities and is internationally recognized for excellence in education and research. The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences hosts nearly 7,000 students and over 1,100 academic and professional staff working across sociology, psychology, educational sciences, anthropology, and related disciplines.
Application Process
Applicants should prepare:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Motivation letter
- Overview of Master’s courses and grades
Applications should be submitted through Utrecht University’s official recruitment portal.
Important Dates
- Application Deadline: 12 August 2026
- Interview Date: 21 August 2026
- Preferred Start Date: September or October 2026
How to Apply
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