PhD candidate in Sociology/Social Sciences

The University About us...

The University of Luxembourg is an international research university with a distinctly multilingual and interdisciplinary character. The University was founded in 2003 and counts more than 6,700 students and more than 2,000 employees from around the world. The University's faculties and interdisciplinary centres focus on research in the areas of Computer Science and ICT Security, Materials Science, European and International Law, Finance and Financial Innovation, Education, Contemporary and Digital History. In addition, the University focuses on cross-disciplinary research in the areas of Data Modelling and Simulation as well as Health and System Biomedicine. Times Higher Education ranks the University of Luxembourg #3 worldwide for its “international outlook,” #20 in the Young University Ranking 2021 and among the top 250 universities worldwide.

The Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences (FHSE) brings together expertise from the humanities, linguistics, cognitive sciences, social and educational sciences. People from across 20 disciplines are working within the Faculty. Along with the disciplinary approach a very ambitious interdisciplinary research culture has been developed.

The faculty's research and teaching focuses on social, economic, political and educational issues with the common goal of contributing to an inclusive, open and resourceful society. The FHSE offers six Bachelor and twenty Master degrees and a doctoral school providing students with the necessary knowledge and high-qualified skills to succeed in their future career.

Your Role...

The PhD student will be part of a dynamic research team working on a large- scale mixed-methods project on youth and digitalisation, focusing on life chances and inequalities in the digital society. The main task will be to prepare a PhD thesis in this area, mainly based on the analysis of data from the Youth Survey Luxembourg (YSL). The PhD candidate will have the opportunity to engage in policy-relevant analysis and knowledge sharing with stakeholders.

The candidate will contribute to the preparation and implementation of the next wave of the YSL. This representative, large-scale survey covers a range of social and economic issues and is of great importance to researchers and policy makers.

The PhD student will work in the Youth Research Group of the Centre for Childhood and Youth Research (CCY) at the Department of Social Sciences. The CCY consists of a multidisciplinary research team that investigates the conditions and opportunity structures of growing up against the background of social change and inequalities. It maintains close links with other institutes and relevant organisations within and outside the university, both nationally and internationally.

Tasks

Prepare a cumulative Ph.D. thesis on life chances and inequalities in the digital society among young people (mainly based on quantitative analysis of YSL data)

Participate in national and international conferences

Contribute to other publications

Engage in policy-relevant analyses and dissemination of results to stakeholders

Contribute to preparation and implementation of the next wave of the YSL 2023/24 (esp. module on digitalization)

What we expect from you…

Master diploma, M.A. in sociology or another relevant discipline

Experience in designing surveys and collecting data (e.g., using Qualtrics or similar)

Experience in managing, and analysing survey data (e.g., using R, Stata)

Strong interest in policy-relevant research

Willingness to engage in teamwork in research groups

Excellent command of at least two of the following languages: English, French, German (written and spoken); Luxembourgish is considered an asset

Offer...

Opportunities to expand your skills and knowledge in a dynamic research team

Possibility to gain teaching experience

Personal workspace at the University

Stimulating work environment

Enrolment in attractive doctoral school

In Short...

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract 36 Month (extendable up to 48 months if required)

Start date: Preferably from 1 September 2023

Work Hours: Full Time 40.0 Hours per Week

Employee and student status

Location: Belval

Job Reference: UOL05614

The yearly gross salary for every PhD at the UL is EUR 38979 (full time)

How to apply...

Applications should be submitted online and include:

Motivation letter (max. two pages)

Curriculum vitae

One-page outline of a Ph.D. project on life chances and inequalities in the digital society

Writing sample (e.g., M.A. thesis)

Copies of diplomas

Names and contact details of two academic referees

We ensure a full consideration for applications received by 31 March 2023 - then the posting will remain online until filled. Please apply formally through the HR system. Applications by email will not be considered.

The University of Luxembourg embraces inclusion and diversity as key values. We are fully committed to removing any discriminatory barrier related to gender, and not only, in recruitment and career progression of our staff.

Here's what awaits you at the University

Multilingual and international character. Modern institution with a personal atmosphere. Staff coming from 90 countries. Member of the “University of the Greater Region” (UniGR).

A modern and dynamic university. High-quality equipment. Close ties to the business world and to the Luxembourg labour market. A unique urban site with excellent infrastructure.

A partner for society and industry. Cooperation with European institutions, innovative companies, the Financial Centre and with numerous non-academic partners such as ministries, local governments, associations, NGOs …

Find out more about the University

Addresses, maps & routes to the various sites of the University

Further information...

For further information, please contact:

Prof. Dr. Robin Samuel / Tel.: (+352) 46 66 44 5084