PhD Position in Social Sciences

VU University of Amsterdam

Location: Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam)
Start Date: As agreed
Application Deadline: 28 February 2026
Contract: Full-time PhD, initially 1 year, extendable to 4 years

Project Overview

This PhD position is part of the ERC Starting Grant “REPAIR”, led by Dr. Juliana Chueri, focusing on:

• How welfare state institutions and politics shape societal and political responses to AI-driven labor market transformations across OECD countries.
• Emphasis on the role of political institutions, policies, and collective choices in shaping how AI affects work, employment, and social protection.

ERC Project Objectives

1. Analyze the impact of AI-driven automation on different welfare state and labor market regimes.
2. Map political actors’ framing of AI and policy responses across countries.
3. Examine public support for alternative welfare and labor market reforms.
4. Develop a theoretical understanding of welfare state adaptation in the AI era.

PhD Project Focus

The PhD project will mainly contribute to Objectives 1 and 4, focusing on:

• Welfare state institutions and labor market regulation
• Long-term transformation and adaptation of welfare states in response to AI-driven automation

Key Research Questions

• How do welfare and labor institutions mediate countries’ social exposure to AI automation?
• How do institutions shape firms’ adoption of labor-replacing technologies?
• How are social risks for displaced workers mitigated?
• How do reskilling, retraining, and labor market transitions occur?
• How do institutions influence long-term welfare state transformation?

Methodology

• Comparative institutional analysis
• Quantitative cross-national data analysis
• Qualitative case studies
• Development of comparative indicators or typologies of countries

Duties

• Complete a cumulative PhD dissertation in four years (four publishable journal articles).
• Contribute to the development of an international comparative database on AI-driven labor market change.
• Conduct quantitative analyses to construct welfare state typologies.
• Participate in international conferences, workshops, and collaborative research.
• Opportunity for research stays abroad within the project’s international network.

Candidate Profile

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Political Science, Sociology, or closely related field
• Interest in welfare state institutions, labor market regulation, and reform
• Familiarity with institutional and political economy theories
• Experience in qualitative research and comparative research design
• Comfortable with quantitative analysis (experience with R preferred)
• Excellent academic writing skills in English
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Engaged in interdisciplinary research

Preferred Qualities

• Open-minded, communicative, responsible, and committed to collaborative research
• Interest in AI, technology, and political/social transformations

Employment & Benefits

• Salary: €3,059 (year 1) – €3,881 (year 4) gross per month
• Contract: Initially 1 year, renewable up to 4 years (PhD completion)
• Working Hours: Full-time 38 hours/week (holiday leave: 232 hours/year)
• Additional Benefits:
  • 8% holiday allowance, 8.3% year-end bonus
  • Personalized benefits package options
  • Contribution to commuting expenses
  • Access to sports facilities

Enrollment in the Graduate School of Social Sciences (VU-GSSS) is included.

About the Department & Faculty

• Department of Political Science and Public Administration: Offers Bachelor's and Master's programs in Political Science, Public Administration, Organizational Science, Philosophy-Politics-Economics, and Law & Politics of International Security.
• Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities: Offers multidisciplinary, socially engaged research and education.
• Campus located in Amsterdam’s Zuidas business district.
• VU Amsterdam employs over 6,150 staff and educates 31,000 students.

Diversity & Inclusion: VU Amsterdam values diversity across disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, and worldviews.

Application Instructions

Deadline: 28 February 2026

Application must include:

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
2. Motivation Letter (max 2 pages) explaining:
   • Interest in this PhD position and the REPAIR project
   • Connection of your background to welfare states, labor markets, AI-driven transformation
   • Your approach to the research questions and objectives

Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Application Portal: VU Amsterdam Job Application System

Contact for vacancy questions:

• Dr. Juliana Chueri, Assistant Professor of Comparative Politics
• Email: julianachueri@vu.nl

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.