Postdoc: organisational culture in European work places and gender (in)equality

The Department of Sociology at Utrecht University has a vacancy for a Postdoctoral Researcher for the project ‘Family friendly organisational culture in European workplaces and gender (in)equality’. The project is part of the Horizon funded programme ‘Reimagining Work and Care: Gender Equality, Couple Dynamics, and Policy Innovation in Europe (REWORC), led by King’s College London and with partners from the UK, Sweden, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Poland, France, and the Netherlands.

Your job

In this postdoc project you will map conditions for a family friendly organisational culture in European workplaces, test the importance of availability, accessibility and uptake of family friendly policies for parents’ work and wellbeing, and show organisational family friendly culture and mechanisms over time. To do so you will make use of the European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS) from 2005 to 2024. You will also make use of the European Sustainable Workforce Survey (ESWS) data from 9 European countries and a multilevel design with employees nested in teams nested in organisations. Advanced statistical techniques will be used to perform the analyses.

You will write research papers and a policy brief. In addition, you will help with organising and running a scenario-analysis for possible futures about organisational family friendly policies with relevant stakeholders. You will join the team of researchers in the Horizon REWORC project and contribute to their meetings. The position is situated in the Department of Sociology at Utrecht University, and is also part of the UU Future of Work Platform. You will become a member of the ICS research school. The position may include some teaching duties within the Department of Sociology, depending on your profile (0.1 FTE).

Your qualities

We are looking for you, if you have:

• Recently completed a PhD in sociology or a related social science, preferably on a topic linked to the research themes of the project
• Strong quantitative research expertise and analytical skills
• Excellent verbal and written skills in English and proven capability to produce publishable empirical research outputs
• Good verbal communication including the ability to present quantitative findings clearly to academic and other audiences
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within an interdisciplinary research team, and coordination skills for organising the scenario-analysis.

Our offer

• a temporary job until 31-07-2030;
• a working week of 36 - 40 hours and a gross monthly salary between €3,706 and €6,682 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 10/11 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU);
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development, various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities. You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage you to keep investing in your personal and professional development. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

About us

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences is one of the leading faculties in Europe providing research and academic teaching in cultural anthropology, educational sciences, interdisciplinary social science, pedagogical sciences, psychology, and sociology. Almost 7,000 students are enrolled in a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programmes. The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences has some 1,100 faculty and staff members, all providing their individual contribution to the training and education of young talent and to the research into and finding solutions for scientific and societal issues.

The faculty is located at Utrecht Science Park near the historical city centre of Utrecht.

More information

For more information, please contact Tanja van der Lippe by a.g.vanderlippe@uu.nl.

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.

Apply now

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To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation, via the ‘apply now’ button.

Please note that international candidates that need a visa/work permit for the Netherlands require at least four months processing time after selection and acceptance. Our International Service Desk (ISD) can answer your questions about living in the Netherlands as international staff. Finding appropriate housing in or near Utrecht is your own responsibility, but the ISD may be able to advise you therewith. In case of general questions about working and living in The Netherlands, please consult the Dutch Mobility Portal.

Interviews will take place on Friday 9 October. Our preferred start date is 1-2-2027.