Two Phd Positions: 'social Policy Preferences, Vote

Two PhD Positions: 'Social Policy Preferences, Vote Choice and Trust'

**Faculteit/Dienst**:Faculteit der Maatschappij
- & Gedragswetenschappen**Opleidingsniveau**:Master**Functie type**:Promotieplaats**Sluitingsdatum**:14 October 2024**Vacaturenummer**:13406- The Department of Political Science of the University of Amsterdam is hiring two PhD-students in a research project funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO), titled ‘Social policy preferences, vote choice and trust’. Both PhD-projects are co-supervised by dr. Gianna Eick, dr. Armen Hakhverdian, and prof. dr. Wouter van der Brug.- Public opinion research reveals that large majorities of citizens in advanced democracies are in favor of more economic equality. And yet, in many countries parties who champion redistribution from the rich to the poor have fallen on hard times. The mismatch between public preferences for more egalitarian politics and the decline of parties with more egalitarian agendas has received ample scholarly attention. Some argue that the electoral decline of the left is due to the adoption of Third Way politics in the 1990s, while others focus on the politicization of socio-cultural issues such as immigration.- Yet, it is unlikely that this is the full story. At present, the literature does not provide a satisfactory solution to the puzzle of why many citizens prefer more egalitarian distributions of income and wealth, while at the same time opposing specific welfare state arrangements. And, while many researchers have linked general redistributive attitudes to vote choice, there is very little research into specific social policy preferences and voting behavior. We believe trust plays a pivotal role in understanding this matter. Voters who distrust either the political actors and state institutions (such as parties, parliament or bureaucrats) that are designed to govern welfare state arrangements, or voters who distrust other citizens (and thus think that they are likely to abuse welfare state arrangements) are unlikely to support left-wing policies and parties, even if they are in favor of more economic egalitarianism.-
**What are you going to do**
- You will write a thesis within the broader framework of the funded project;
- You will contribute to collective academic publications, as appropriate;
- You will assist with administrative responsibilities related to the project, such as preparation of data collection, the organization of workshops or other project events;
- You will be affiliated with the Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research (AISSR) and will participate in its organized PhD-training. Additional methodological training is possible.
- You will take active part in seminars of the AISSR Program Group ‘Challenges to democratic representation’ and the Department of Political Science;

**What do you have to offer**_You have_**
- a completed MA or Research MA in political science or one of the related social sciences;
- excellent quantitative research skills, as demonstrated by your MA thesis or other publications/assignments;
- excellent command of English in word and writing;
- the ability to work independently as well as part of a team;
- good communication, social and organizational skills
- In addition, you are an enthusiastic colleague who likes to share knowledge, embraces open (team) science, and showcases curiosity, critical thinking, and an eagerness to learn.**What can we offer you**
- The position concerns temporary employment of 38 hours per week for a maximum term of four years. The initial employment is for one year and will preferably start in January 2025. Following a positive assessment and barring altered circumstances, this term will be extended by a maximum of three years, which should result in the conferral of a doctorate in four year. We will put together a curriculum which will also include the opportunity to attend training courses and both national and international events.- For this position the University Job Classification profile “Promovendus” applies. Your salary will be €2,872 gross per month in the first year and will increase to €3,670 in the final year, based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week and in keeping with the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities.
- We additionally offer an extensive package of secondary benefits, including 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. The UvA offers excellent possibilities for further professional development and education.- We offer an open academic environment with varied tasks and plenty of room for personal initiative and development in an inspiring organization. You will be embedded in the collaborative research group ‘Challenges to democratic representation’ of the Department of Political Science. The Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences plays a leading role in addressing the major societal challenges facing the world, the Netherlands and Amsterdam, now and in the future.- Workin