I am looking for a postdoctoral researcher to join the NORFACE-funded project “Democratic Governance of Funded Pension Schemes.” Applications can be submitted until June 23 via the Leiden University website.
Post-Doctoral researcher for the NORFACE project “Democratic Governance of Funded Pension Schemes
Description of the vacancy
Leiden University’s Institute of Public Administration is looking for a post-doctoral researcher to join the research project “Democratic Governance of Funded Pension Schemes” (DEEPEN) for a period of three years at 1.0 FTE. This position is made possible by a grant from the New Opportunities for Research Funding Agency Cooperation in Europe (NORFACE) Network. The project explores the democratic governance of capital-funded occupational pension schemes and investigates how governments, regulators and labor market actors govern funded pensions and whether participants are satisfied with pension fund performance. The project focuses on Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Ireland and Spain. The project combines quantitative analysis of survey data with comparative case studies based on elite and expert interviews and analysis of primary and secondary documents.
The postdoc will be part of the research team at Leiden University, led by Dr. Natascha van der Zwan. Other research teams are based in Austria, Ireland and Spain. The postdoc will conduct case studies of selected occupational pension schemes in the Netherlands to investigate the decision-making processes that link welfare provisions to financial markets. The postdoc will also contribute to comparative research on the regulatory context of occupational pensions in the project countries.
Key responsibilities
- Conduct independent and collaborative research on the democratic governance of capital-funded occupational pension schemes;
- Conduct elite and expert interviews in the Netherlands to gather information on the individual cases selected for analysis;
- Collect and analyse information on the regulatory context of occupational pension provisions in the Netherlands;
- Disseminate the project’s findings as co-author in high-ranking international peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations, policy reports and other relevant formats;
- Collaborate in presenting the project to key stakeholders, academics and policymakers/practitioners working on occupational pensions.
Selection criteria
- Candidates hold a PhD in political science, sociology, economics, organization studies, geography or another relevant discipline;
- Candidates have a strong command of qualitative research methods;
- Candidates have a promising publication record that includes publications in international refereed journals;
- Candidates have a proven ability to communicate research findings to non-academic audiences, e.g. through publications aimed at a broader audience, media work, etc;
- In addition to proficiency in English, a good command of Dutch is considered an important asset. Project responsibilities include conducting elite and expert interviews in the Netherlands.
Our organization
The Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs (FGGA) offers academic education in the field of Public Administration, Safety and Security, and International Relations, as well as in-depth post-academic programmes for professionals. In addition, the Faculty is also home to Leiden University College.
See: http://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/governance-and-global-affairs
Our institute
The Institute of Public Administration has an established international profile and has consistently received high ratings in peer reviews of both its teaching and research programs. The Institute offers a Dutch-language Bachelor program with two tracks, a Dutch-language Master Program in Public Sector Management and an English-language Master programs in ‘Public Administration.’
http://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/governance-and-global-affairs/institute-of-public-administration
Terms and conditions
The position starts between 1 October 2020 and 1 December 2020. The appointment will be made initially on a one-year full-time basis, with an extension to a total of three years after positive evaluation. The appointment will be under the terms of the Collective Labour Agreement (CAO) of Dutch Universities. The starting salary, depending on qualifications and experience, varies from € 2.709,-to € 4.274 gross per month (pay scale 10) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
Information with respect to conditions of employment of the University can be found on http://staff.leiden.edu/
Excellent benefits
Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %). Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. For international spouses we have set up a dual career programme. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break.
See https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions.
Diversity
Leiden University is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups.
Enquiries
Enquiries can be made to dr. Natascha van der Zwan, email n.a.j.van.der.zwan@fgga.leidenuniv.nl
Applications
Please submit online your application no later than June 23, 2020 via this link. Please ensure that you upload the following additional documents in PDF format:
- Motivation letter;
- Curriculum vitae including a list of publications;
- A sample publication;
- A copy of your completed PhD degree (or a supervisor declaration that the PhD thesis is deemed defendable);
- The names and contact details of three potential referees (no actual recommendation letters required at this stage).
Enquiries from agencies are not appreciated.
Natascha van der Zwan 