Vacature PhD onderzoeker aansluiting tot de arbeidsmarkt van precaire profielen

KU Leuven is an autonomous university. It was founded in 1425. It was born of and has grown within the Catholic tradition.

The Research Centre for Work (Steunpunt Werk) is a policy-oriented research centre within the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) at KU Leuven. The centre supports and informs Flemish labour market policy through research, analyses, statistics, projections, and policy advice. A range of policy-relevant and contemporary labour market topics forms the core of our activities. Based on these research themes, we provide extensive labour market indicators, forecasts, and scientific publications. Our research is highly socially relevant and consistently informs Flemish labour market policy. Our team consists of approximately ten research staff members and one administrative staff member, under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Sarah Vansteenkiste. The co-promoters of Steunpunt Werk are Prof. Dr. Kristof De Witte, Prof. Dr. Luc Sels, and Prof. Dr. Wim Van Lancker.

For this position, doctoral supervision will be provided by Prof. Dr. Sarah Vansteenkiste and Prof. Dr. Wim Van Lancker. In addition to being embedded within Steunpunt Werk, the doctoral researcher will be connected to the respective research groups of both supervisors: Work and Organisation Studies (Faculty of Economics and Business) and ReSPOND (Faculty of Social Sciences).
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Project

Within the framework of the multiannual research programme of Steunpunt Werk, this doctoral project focuses on precarious labour market profiles and their distance from the labour market, employment opportunities, and/or career pathways. The role of social benefits in facilitating or hindering transitions into and out of employment may also form part of the research. Potential target groups include: homemakers, single-parent households, newcomers and migrants, different categories of social assistance beneficiaries, persons with disabilities or long-term work incapacity, individuals at risk of losing unemployment benefits, other vulnerable labour market groups. The project may also examine precarious labour market profiles and the role of local governments and local policy interventions.

This four-year doctoral project contributes to the policy-oriented research programme of Steunpunt Werk, including labour market monitoring and analysis. At the same time, it offers substantial opportunities to make an important academic contribution and engage with key debates in labour market research and policy. The project has strong policy relevance, with a central objective of translating rigorous empirical research into clear and actionable policy insights. By combining advanced quantitative research with direct policy relevance, the project provides an opportunity to contribute both to the international academic literature and to the development of more effective labour market policies in Flanders and beyond.

Profile

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated junior researcher to carry out this doctoral project. Candidates should meet the following requirements:

• You hold a Master's degree in a relevant field, preferably Economics, Sociology, or a related discipline.
• You obtained at least a cum laude distinction during your Master's studies (and preferably also during an advanced research Master's programme, if applicable). This is an important and binding admission requirement for starting a PhD in (Applied) Economics at KU Leuven. Higher distinctions are considered an asset.
• An advanced research Master's degree is an advantage, but candidates without this additional qualification are also encouraged to apply.
• You possess strong skills in statistical, econometric, and quantitative data analysis and have experience with statistical software packages. You are motivated to further develop these skills.
• You have an interest in current societal and labour market issues.
• You are fluent in Dutch, both spoken and written. This is an important requirement given the Flemish context of the research and its stakeholders. You also have a good command of English.
• You possess excellent academic writing skills.
• You are a motivated researcher with a strong commitment to quality and scientific integrity.
• You can work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• You are able to work under pressure, set priorities, meet deadlines, and work efficiently toward objectives.
• You communicate clearly, transparently, and professionally with various stakeholders, including colleagues, government agencies, businesses, and interest groups, both orally and in writing.
• Successful candidates must enrol in the PhD programme in (Applied) Economics at the Faculty of Economics and Business of KU Leuven (https://feb.kuleuven.be/research/phd/phd).

Offer

• You will join a dynamic and policy-oriented research