PhD in Contextual (Dis)advantage and Educational Inequality at Utrecht University, Netherlands (Fully Funded PhD Position)
Utrecht University is inviting applications for a fully funded four-year PhD position in Contextual (Dis)advantage and Educational Inequality within the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences.
Overview
Utrecht University in the Netherlands offers a fully funded, four-year doctoral opportunity for aspiring researchers interested in how family, neighbourhood, and school environments interact to influence children’s educational success. The successful candidate will join the Department of Sociology, conducting cutting-edge quantitative research using extensive Dutch population register data to examine socio-economic and ethnic inequalities in education.
Eligibility
- A completed or nearly completed Master’s degree in Sociology, Interdisciplinary Social Science, or a related discipline.
- Strong interest in socio-economic inequality, ethnic inequality, and educational research.
- Strong analytical thinking skills and motivation for quantitative social science research.
- Experience with advanced quantitative research methods and large, complex datasets is preferred.
- Excellent written and spoken English proficiency.
Benefits
- Gross monthly salary starting at €3,204 in the first year and increasing progressively to €4,051 in the fourth year.
- An initial one-year contract with an extension to a total of four years following a successful performance assessment.
- 8% holiday allowance, 8.3% end-of-year bonus, pension scheme, and partially paid parental leave.
- Opportunities for international research, conference participation, academic publishing, and up to 10% teaching duties.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit their curriculum vitae, a letter of motivation, an overview of Master’s courses completed, and Master’s grades or transcripts through the online application system.
Deadline
Applications must be submitted by August 12, 2026.