PhD position in Social Science Genetics – VU Amsterdam & Amsterdam UMC
Role Overview:
The PhD position is part of the Doctoral Network ESSGN, which brings together eight Universities with a shared interest in social science genetics. The project aims to incorporate genetic information to improve understanding of age-old questions in the social sciences, such as the origins of inequality, the 'nature versus nurture' debate, and the interplay between environments and genes in shaping life chances. The PhD project will use Europe’s largest and most comprehensive multi-generation databases and causal inference methods to estimate how environmental contexts protect individuals with genetic risk. The goal is to explore how genetic and environmental characteristics jointly shape inequalities in life chances.
Responsibilities:
The PhD project will involve analysing genetic and environmental factors contributing to inequality of opportunity and intergenerational mobility, and establishing how nature and nurture jointly shape inequalities in life chances. The doctoral student will be trained in biological foundations of genetic inheritance, practical training in multidisciplinary methods in social science genetics, and cutting-edge academic research. The student will also be supported in skill development and monitored for well-being and progress towards the PhD.
Requirements:
Applicants must not have a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment and must not have resided or carried out their main activity in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date. They must have obtained (or be about to obtain) an MSc/MRes/MPhil (or equivalent) in an appropriate area of social science or medical science. Strong quantitative skills are required. Professional experience is a plus but not a must. Applicants must comply with the mobility rule and doctoral candidate criteria. They must submit a complete application within the submission deadline.
Qualifications:
Applicants should have an MSc/MRes/MPhil (or equivalent) in an appropriate area of social science (e.g., demography, economics, epidemiology, political science, psychology, sociology, statistics) or medical science (e.g., genetics, epigenetics). Strong quantitative skills are required. Preference will be given to candidates from under-represented groups, including women, candidates with disabilities, and those from refugee backgrounds.
What They Offer:
The position offers a salary of €3.059,00 (PhD) and maximum €3.881,00 (PhD) gross per month in the fourth year, for a full-time employment. The employment contract is initially 1 year, to be extended to a total of 4 years depending on performance. The EU studentship is jointly funded through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) at VU Amsterdam and by Amsterdam University Medical Centre (AUMC). Funding includes tuition fees (if applicable), a Doctoral Stipend, and additional research, travel, and support funding. Additional fringe benefits include a full-time 38-hour working week with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year, 8% holiday allowance, 8.3% end-of-year bonus contribution, and a wide range of sports facilities. After 18–22 months, AUMC will take over the employment, with the employment conditions of AUMC applying.