PhD2 Micro-level Housing Inequalities

The HOU-EQUAL PhD Micro-level Housing Inequalities tackles how housing mitigates, reflects, or amplifies inequalities at the household/individual level and how this relationship is moderated by the housing system. The subproject focusses on five diverse welfare regime and housing system contexts: the Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, Finland and Japan.

The project will take a multi-dimensional approach to understanding the many dimensions of housing advantage/disadvantage. The PhD will make use of cross-sectional and longitudinal data, including Dutch and Finnish register micro-data, to analyse access to differing housing conditions as well as how exposure to these relate to socio-economic and life-course outcomes. In considering locational characteristics, spatial modelling will be explored where possible and intergenerational inequality dynamics will be investigated in understanding the role of parental resources. Beyond the primary quantitative analyses, the PhD will delve into a more detailed tracing of housing system policy changes in relation to housing inequality across two of the cases: Japan and Finland. The PhD will require some international research visits (about 1-2 months in total a year), particularly in Japan and Finland, to work with project partners and local data.

Summary of key tasks:

• Engage with relevant theories across housing studies, geography, sociology, urban studies, etc.
• Operationalize dimensions of housing advantage/disadvantage and housing system context measures
• Compile and harmonize housing micro-data across five focus cases (Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, Finland and Japan)
• Analyse household access to differing conditions of housing advanta/disadvantage
• Analyse how exposure to housing conditions relate to socio-economic and life-course outcomes
• Assess intergenerational dynamics in housing inequality and in estimate future impacts of intergenerational housing transfers on inequality
• Trace housing system and policy change across two focus cases: Finland and Japan
• Write up and publish research in academic journals
• Contribute to research and policy reports
• Collaborate with project team and (international) partners
• Participate in (international) research visits, conferences, workshops
• Help jointly organize project events

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate with a strong academic background and theoretical engagement in a relevant field. The ideal candidate must possess advanced quantitative research skills, particularly in micro-level data analysis and longitudinal modeling. Familiarity with large-scale datasets, such as register data (for example, Dutch or Finnish registers) is essential.

We are looking for a candidate skilled at problem-solving, translating complex concepts into operational research frameworks and effectively communicating these to broader audiences. They should be adept at collaborating effectively within a research team and be independently motivated.

Required capabilities:

• A background and theoretical engagement in a related field: preferably in housing studies, but relevant academic trajectory in geography, sociology, urban studies or other social sciences fields are acceptable.
• Excellent skills in advanced quantitative methods, especially in micro-level data analysis, longitudinal modelling
• Some skills in predictive estimation modelling
• Experience in large datasets such as register data (i.e. Dutch or Finnish registers)
• Experience in preparing, compiling and harmonizing data
• Proficiency with either Stata, R, or SPSS
• Experience with GIS and spatial analysis
• Ability to problem-solve, operationalize complex concepts, and work collaboratively in a research team
• Ability to relocate for research visits to Japan and Finland (between 1-2 months total per year)
• Ability to participate in local and international short-term research visits, workshops, seminars and conferences
• Ability to help jointly organize workshops, seminars, or conferences

Additional preferred capabilities:

• Experience in policy analysis
• Data visualization/design skills
• Language: Competency Dutch is very useful, Spanish language skills is a bonus
• Presentation and public speaking skills

The position concerns temporary employment of 38 hours per week for a maximum term of four years. The initial employment is for one year. Following a positive assessment and barring altered circumstances, this term will be extended by a maximum of three years, which should result in the conferral of a doctorate. We will put together a curriculum which will also include the opportunity to attend training courses and both national and international events. You will also be tasked with teaching Bachelor's students.

For this position the University Job Classification profile promovendus applies. 

Your salary will be €3.059 gross per month in the first year and will increase to €3.881 in the final year, based on full-time employment and in keeping with the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities. We additionally offer an extensive package of secondary benefits, including 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.

The UvA offers excellent possibilities for further professional development and education.