Are you intrigued by the ways governments protect or repress displaced populations? If you possess strong research skills and are eager to explore one of the most pressing issues in political violence, consider joining our new ERC-funded project focused on government responses to internal displacement at the University of Amsterdam.

About the Company

The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is a leading institution in social and behavioral sciences, fostering a vibrant research community dedicated to addressing societal challenges.

The Role

We are offering two PhD positions within the ERC-funded project Protect and Repress: The Logic of Government Responses to Internal Displacement (GRID), led by Dr. Abbey Steele from 2026 to 2031. The project investigates how political alignments affect government responses to internally displaced people (IDPs), who represent the largest displaced population globally.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute an independent doctoral project within GRID, culminating in a PhD thesis.
• Collect and analyze both quantitative and qualitative data, and co-author publications.
• Present research findings at international conferences and actively engage with the team and the Amsterdam Conflict Research Network.
• Uphold open and ethical research practices, including data management and dissemination.
• Teach classes within the political science department (10% of the contract time).

Requirements

• A (research) master’s degree in political science or a closely related field, completed by the start date, with strong training in research methods and design.
• Demonstrated quantitative data-analysis skills (e.g., in R or Stata).
• A keen interest in the politics of violence, displacement, and state responses.
• Ability to think independently and analytically, and to communicate effectively in English, both in writing and verbally.
• For Position 1, comparative and quantitative experience is especially welcomed.
• For Position 2, regional expertise and relevant languages for Burundi (e.g., French) are advantageous.

What We Offer

• A fully funded four-year PhD position in a prominent European research environment.
• A temporary employment contract of 38 hours per week, with an initial one-year term that can be extended based on performance.
• A gross monthly salary ranging from €3,204 in the first year to €4,051 in the last year (scale P).
• Additional benefits including holiday allowance, a year-end bonus, and pension contributions.
• Opportunities for career development through training and mentorship.
• Support for relocating families, including information on daycare and schooling.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit a single PDF containing:

• A cover letter indicating which position you are applying for (Position 1, Position 2, or both) and your motivation.
• A CV.
• Academic transcripts (unofficial records accepted).
• A research proposal (max 1,000 words) detailing your intended research within GRID.
• A sole-authored writing sample (e.g., a thesis chapter).

The closing date for applications is 1 October 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed online in the week of 26 October 2026. For inquiries, contact Abbey Steele at abbey.steele@uva.nl. Internal candidates will be given preference in case of equal qualifications.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The UvA is committed to an equal opportunities policy and values diversity. We encourage applications from individuals who meet the educational requirements, even if they do not fulfill all requested experience. Curiosity and creativity are at the heart of our culture.