Post-doc researcher TransParent

ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY

Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 15,000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities. With its 11 faculties and more than 80 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.

YOUR TASKS

About the ERC-AdG TransParentproject

Using a longitudinal, mixed-methods, multi-country design, the ERC-funded project TransParentinvestigates the lived experiences, wellbeing, and transnational parenting practices of ‘staying-behind’ parents and siblings in four major countries of origin (Afghanistan, Syria, South Sudan, and Nigeria), alongside family reunification processes of minors returning to these contexts, and the parental contexts of young separated minors in foster care families in Belgium. The project runs for five years.

Your responsibilities

• the Nigerian study, which involves a mixed-methods, longitudinal study with parents in Nigeria who have one or more minor children abroad, possibly within trafficking contexts;
• a longitudinal study on children returning to their families in Nigeria and one other country (Afghanistan / Syria / South Sudan);
• the organization, coordination and follow-up of a large-scale survey amongst the general population in Nigeria and one other country (Afghanistan / Syria / South Sudan), in close collaboration with local researchers and local stakeholders committees.

Together with the other post-doc researcher and the PI, you will be engaged in:

• the support and supervision of PhD students;
• the development of new theoretical models bridging the fields of (child) migration and child & family studies;
• scientific and public dissemination of the study findings;
• the overall coordination of the project.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• You hold a PhD in Educational Sciences, Social Work or a related social sciences discipline. You must meet the degree requirements by the date of appointment
• You are a team player with strong collaborative skills
• You have knowledge of and/or experience with a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods (e.g. self-report questionnaires, in-depth interviews)
• You have experience conducting research in Nigeria on migration, trafficking, parenting and/or related topics
• An affinity with research in the other research contexts of TransParentor in similar research contexts is an asset
• You have a proven track record of publishing scientific articles in high-quality academic journals
• You have excellent written and spoken English language skills (C2 level). Knowledge of languages spoken in Nigeria and in the other research contexts of TransParentis an asset
• You have demonstrable experience working with local researchers and non-academic stakeholders in the design and dissemination of research
• You are empathetic, work accurately, manage deadlines effectively and have a critical mindset
• You are open to constructive feedback and contribute to a positive working environment
• You are willing to travel for data collection and dissemination purposes.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• We offer you a contract of indefinite duration within the framework of the ERC TransParent
• Your contract will start on1/01/2027at the earliest
• All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, a bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits .

As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position.

Youwillbeinformedby4December2026 atthelatestwhetheryouhavebeenselectedfor thenextround.Ifselected,thisnextroundwilltakeplaceinGhenton11December2026 .

MORE INFORMATION

For more informatio n about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Ilse Derluyn ( ilse.derluyn@UGent.be , +32(0)472 92 04 09) .