PhD Position in Management

Radboud University

Institution: Radboud University – Nijmegen School of Management
Employment: 1.0 FTE
Salary: €3,059 – €3,881 gross per month
Required Background: Research University Degree
Application Deadline: 31 March 2026

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Project Overview

Join our PhD project exploring how polarised factual beliefs shape public opinion and fuel broader political divides.

Political opponents are increasingly divided not only in attitudes, but also in beliefs about reality. For example, left- and right-wing voters perceive differently the causes of climate change, income inequality, and immigration.

This PhD project will examine how factual belief polarisation influences public opinion and potentially contributes to broader societal polarisation.

• Apply new and existing experimental methods to examine when, how, and why factual beliefs about inequality, immigration, or government spending influence issue attitudes and affective polarisation.
• Results will be disseminated in international peer-reviewed journal articles and an article-based PhD dissertation.

Supervision team:

• Dr. Roderik Rekker (main substantive supervisor)
• Dr. Hakan Çakmak
• Dr. Bojana Većkalov
• Prof. Dr. Carolien van Ham
• Limited teaching assignment (~5% of time)

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Candidate Profile

Required:

• Master’s degree (or expected completion before starting) in political science or related field (political communication, political psychology)
• Strong command of quantitative research methods, particularly survey experiments
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Excellent academic English
• Regular presence in Nijmegen

Desirable:

• Completed or nearly completed Research Master’s program or advanced quantitative methods courses
• Experience conducting research on polarisation, misperceptions, or related topics

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Employment Conditions

• Temporary contract: 1.5 years, extendable to 4 years upon positive evaluation
• Salary: €3,059 gross/month, increasing to €3,881 by year 4 (Scale P)
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end bonus
• Extra leave: choose 30 or 41 days per year (pro rata)
• Flexible working hours, work-from-home options, sports/cultural discounts, pension plan
• Opportunities for training, professional development, and responsibility growth

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Work Environment

Department of Political Science:

• Focus on legitimacy, institutional change, populism, electoral behaviour, public opinion, labour movements, and policy legitimacy
• Two chair groups: Empirical Political Science and International Relations
• Interdisciplinary Hot Spots and collaborations within Nijmegen School of Management

Nijmegen School of Management:

• 4,500 students, 450+ staff
• Focus on responsible governance for sustainable societies
• Research and teaching in Business Administration, Economics, Political Science, Public Administration, Human Geography, Spatial Planning, Environment
• Commitment to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Radboud University:

• Inclusive community, fostering diverse perspectives
• Focus on research impact, high-quality education, and societal contribution

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Application Procedure

• Apply via the online application button
• Address letter to Dr. Roderik Rekker
• Include required documents as indicated in the application form
• First interviews: week of 6 April (online or in-person)
  • Includes short oral presentation of research ideas
• Preferred start date: 1 September 2026

Contact:
Dr. R.S.B. Rekker (Roderik) PhD
Email: roderik.rekker@ru.nl

Application Deadline: 31 March 2026

Apply