Postdoctoral Position in Social Sciences

VU University of Amsterdam

Project: “Emotion-Infused Risk Regulation: Rethinking the Fundamentals of Regulatory Governance for Citizen-Centric Rulemaking”
Duration: Two years
Funding: Dutch Research Council (NWO)
Lead: Dr. Dovilė Rimkutė

Your Function

The VIDI project investigates the role of emotions in regulatory governance, examining how emotions shape both regulators’ formulation of rules and citizens’ reception of regulatory responses. The project is structured around three interlinked objectives:

1. Emotion and Regulatory Responsiveness: To what extent and why do regulators respond to citizens’ emotion-laden concerns?
2. Citizens’ Emotional Responses in Regulatory Encounters: To what extent and how are citizens’ emotions elicited during interactions with regulators?
3. Emotions and Regulatory Legitimacy: What are the effects of citizens’ emotions on their perceptions of regulators’ legitimacy?

Read more about this research agenda here.

The postdoctoral project will focus on Objectives 2 and 3, examining emotionality in citizens’ interactions with the regulatory state and experimentally testing causal effects and mechanisms through which emotions influence citizens’ perceptions of regulators’ legitimacy.

Your Duties

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will:

• Contribute to three empirical studies within Objectives 1 and 2 of the VIDI project
• Design and implement experimental studies (primarily large-scale survey experiments) and apply advanced quantitative analysis methods
• Work closely with an interdisciplinary research team in the Regulatory Behavior Lab, led by Dr. Dovilė Rimkutė
• Refine cross-national survey experiments and administer data collection with representative citizen samples in at least six EU countries and beyond
• Analyse quantitative data and disseminate findings through conference presentations, publications in high-quality international journals, and publicly accessible policy outputs (reports, briefs)
• Contribute to shaping the scientific profile and visibility of the Regulatory Behavior Lab through lab meetings, collaborative research, and academic-practitioner outreach
• Allocate time approximately as 0.8 FTE research and 0.2 FTE teaching, including supervising MA theses
• Optionally act as a co-supervisor for a PhD candidate working on Objective 1

These tasks are development opportunities and will be guided according to experience and growth in the role.

Your Profile

We are looking for a candidate who:

• Holds or is near completion of a PhD in public administration, communication science, political science, psychology, or a related discipline
• Has a publication record appropriate to career stage, demonstrating the ability to publish in internationally recognized journals
• Possesses excellent skills in designing, implementing, and analyzing quantitative empirical research, particularly survey experiments, and proficiency in statistical analysis (e.g., R)
• Is familiar with affective science and its theoretical approaches
• Has strong interest in emotions in citizens’ encounters with the regulatory state and their effects on judgments and decision-making
• Has excellent academic writing skills in English
• Is communicative, autonomous, and responsible in managing research projects and advancing publications
• Can collaborate effectively across disciplines and communicate clearly
• Is fluent in English and at least one additional EU language (for cross-national studies)

Diversity and Inclusion:

VU Amsterdam values diversity in all forms and encourages applications from candidates who recognize themselves in the profile, even if not all criteria are fully met.

What We Offer

• Salary: €4,412 – €4,901 gross per month (full-time, Scale 10.5 – 11.1), depending on education and experience
• Employment: 0.8 FTE research; initial 1-year contract, extendable for a second year upon good performance
• Fringe benefits:
  • 38-hour work week with 232 hours holiday per year; additional holiday for 40-hour work week
  • 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
  • Contribution to commuting expenses
  • Personalized benefits package options
  • Access to sports facilities at modest cost

About Us

Department: Political Science and Public Administration, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, VU Amsterdam

• Large, diverse department engaged in multidisciplinary research: Department link
• Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities: nine departments, ~900 staff, 5,000+ students and course participants
• Focus on societal impact, interdisciplinarity, and international collaboration

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

• Values-driven, inclusive, and entrepreneurial research and education
• Located on a single campus in Amsterdam’s Zuidas district
• 6,150 staff and 31,000 students

Diversity

VU Amsterdam promotes diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences, and worldviews. Inclusion and internationalisation contribute to quality education, research, and services.

Interested?

If you are interested and believe your experience will contribute to the VIDI project, please submit a single PDF containing:

1. Academic CV (max 2 pages)
2. Motivation letter (max 2 pages) emphasizing the connection between your expertise and the VIDI project
3. Writing sample (scientific publication or pre-print demonstrating fit to the project)
4. Names and contact details of two referees

Timeline:

• First round interviews: May 2026
• Second round: June 2026
• Intended start date: September 2026 (flexible)

Additional notes:

• Diploma submission is required as part of the application
• Applications by e-mail will not be considered
• Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated

Contact for inquiries:
Dovilė Rimkutė – Associate Professor of Public Administration – dovile.rimkute@vu.nl