Comparative Historical Analysis of Welfare Provision and Demographic Changes

Deze vacature is alleen beschikbaar in het Engels

Within the Chair Group of Economic and Social History, Faculty of Arts at the University of Groningen, the Netherlands, a Postdoctoral Researcher position is currently available for the period of 2 years (24 months). The position will be within the ERC-funded project “Coping with decline: Comparative social-historical analysis of depopulation and community welfare in Europe, 1950-2022 (DEPOP)”: http://www.rug.nl/let/depop

Faculty of Arts Solliciteer uiterlijk: 20 September 2026 23:59 Dutch local time 0.8 fte €3.706 - €5.760

Comparative Historical Analysis of Welfare Provision and Demographic Changes

https://werkenbij.rug.nl/vacature/comparative-historical-analysis-of-welfare-provision-and-demographic-changes-2352/

What are you going to do?

The overarching goal of the DEPOP project is to comparatively examine the links between regional welfare provision (formal and informal) in health and care sectors and demographic changes in Europe for the period of the past 70 years. This Postdoc position will focus on European regional comparison for the Netherlands, Finland and Ukraine. The Postdoc will be responsible for compiling a dataset of welfare provision at the reginal level (1950-2026) and linking it to the regional demographic data. You will also help with co-organising the project’s conference.

The position must lead to two academic peer-reviewed articles and one co-edited collective volume.

Faculty of Arts Solliciteer uiterlijk: 20 September 2026 23:59 Dutch local time €3.706 - €5.760

Who are you?

The successful candidate has a PhD degree in Economic History or Historical Demography or a related discipline (demography, economics, sociology, human geography). Areas of expertise may include one or more fields: economic history, historical demography, comparative history, history of health and care, history of welfare provision and social policy. Expertise and affinity with quantitative methods, mixed-methods and GIS is desirable.

The successful candidate has a good command of English (oral and written). Knowledge of one or more languages relevant for the project (Finland, the Netherlands, and Ukraine) is desirable. The candidate should also be able to work independently, be a team player, and possesses excellent communication skills (indicated by the ability to write scientific papers and deliver presentations).

What can you expect from us?

• In accordance with the collective labor agreement for Dutch universities, we offer a salary of at least € 3.706 up to a maximum of € 5.760 (schaal 10) gross per month for a full-time employment contract.
• 232 vacation hours per year, based on a 38-hour workweek (1.0 FTE). You can also work more or fewer hours in exchange for more or fewer free hours. For example, with a 40-hour workweek, you save 96 extra free hours, and with a 36-hour workweek, you lose 96 hours.
• End-of-year bonus of 8.3% and 8% holiday allowance.
• Extensive opportunities for personal and professional development.
• This 0.8 FTE appointment is temporary, for a specified period of 2 years. The successful candidate will first be offered a temporary position of one year with the option of one year extension.

Where will you be working?

At the University of Groningen (UG), researchers from all fields of academia and technology are working on academic challenges and societal questions. Lecturers prepare their students for meaningful careers within or outside the academic world. Interdisciplinary research and teaching, sharing of knowledge, collaboration with businesses, government institutions, and societal organizations are aspects that are of the utmost importance to this European top university. The UG aims to be an open academic community with an inclusive and safe working climate that invites you to add your value.

The Faculty of Arts is a large and dynamic faculty located in the heart of the city of Groningen. More than 5,500 students and 900 staff work every day at the frontiers of knowledge. The Faculty offers a diverse range of academic programmes, with 16 Bachelor’s programmes and over 40 Master’s programmes. With its strong international orientation, the Faculty conducts research in fields including archaeology, cultural studies, history, international relations, journalism, literature, and linguistics. If you would like to learn more about the Faculty of Arts, visit rug.nl/let.

The Chair Group of Economic and Social History is an ambitious group of researchers dedicated towards global and regional histories of population and health, gender and social inequalities, and focusing on the role of spatial, socioeconomic, and cultural contexts in historical change. We have a specific interest in social science history and long-term historical developments and apply theories and methods from the social sciences in our research. The candidates will also have an opportunity to contribute to the activities of the faculty-wide the Groningen Centre for Health and Humanities and the History of Medicine and Health Group and Intersecting Inequalities Group of the Centre for Historical Studies.

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Application procedure

Step 1: Your application After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation by email.

Step 2: Selection The selection committee assesses your application and you will be notified as soon as possible whether you are invited for an interview.

Step 3: First interview We would like to get to know each other better in a first interview, which can take place either online or on location.

Step 4: Second interview and possible assessment or guest lectureWe may schedule a second interview with you. Depending on the position, this interview can be complemented with an assessment or guest lecture.

Step 5: Terms of employment meeting After a positive interview, we will discuss the terms of employment together. When everything is completed, we are happy to welcome you at the University of Groningen!

Interested?

Does this vacancy appeal to you? If so, click on the button below and apply straightaway.

Please add the following documents to your application:

• letter of application
• curriculum vitae
• writing sample (e.g. a chapter of your PhD thesis, a peer-reviewed article, or a publication)
• copy of PhD certificate and list of grades
• a list of examination marks and copy of Master’s diploma
• contact information of three academic referees.

Do you have any questions or need more information?

• Questions about the content of the job?

Yuliya Hilevych

Associate Professor

y.o.hilevych@rug.nl

• Questions about your application process?

Dorothée de Vries

Human Resources Adviser

D.C.de.Vries@rug.nl Information about applying

When scheduling meetings, we will take your schedule into account as much as possible.

The University of Groningen considers social safety important. We strive to be a university where staff and students feel respected and at home, regardless of differences in background, experiences, perspectives, and identity. For more information, see also our page about our diversity policy.

Acquisition is not appreciated.

Our selection procedure follows the guidelines of the NVP Application Code.

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