Postdoc Position in Social Sciences

Utrecht University

Faculty: Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences

Department: Social Sciences

Location: Utrecht University, Utrecht Science Park, The Netherlands

Hours per week: 28 – 32

Contract: 1 year, possibility to extend 2 more years

Salary: €3,546 – €5,538 gross per month (full-time, CAO NU scale 10) + 8% holiday pay + 8.3% year-end bonus + pension scheme

Application deadline: 27 February 2026

Contact: Dr. Anna Zhelnina – a.zhelnina@uu.nl

Project Overview

• Part of the ERC-funded project “Strategic Care in Activism: Mental Health Across Scales of Social Change” (Care2Act).
• Interdisciplinary research combining social psychology and sociology.
• Investigates how individuals and communities maintain well-being while engaging in activism at local, identity-based, and climate-related scales.
• Focus on the dual task of strategic care: regulating personal mental health while engaging in societal change.
• Employs qualitative and participatory methods, e.g., in-depth interviews, observations, group discussions, and Ripple Effects Mapping.

Responsibilities

• Lead one or more empirical case studies on activist initiatives in the Netherlands or Germany.
• Develop qualitative research instruments and conduct fieldwork/participatory workshops.
• Contribute to theoretical development and co-author publications with the PI and project team.
• Independently plan and execute research while collaborating with interdisciplinary teams.
• Develop own publication plans within the project scope.

Candidate Profile

• PhD in social sciences, sociology, anthropology, social psychology, or related disciplines (or expected by September 2026).
• Interest and knowledge in social movements and/or mental health.
• Proficiency in qualitative research methods; participatory methods are a plus.
• Strong analytical skills, independent researcher, team player.
• Fluent in English (C2); knowledge of Dutch, German, or Russian advantageous for fieldwork.
• Track record appropriate to career stage with curiosity and enthusiasm for research.

Benefits & Environment

• Work in a vibrant interdisciplinary team across social psychology, sociology, and public health.
• Contribute to research with societal impact for activists’ well-being.
• Flexible working conditions, parental leave, pension schemes.
• Professional development opportunities and access to Utrecht University resources.

Apply