Postdoc Retirement of Couples at NIDI - KNAW in The Hague

Project description

Population ageing has become a driver for policies that encourage healthy and economically productive ageing. Among other things, the state pension age is increasing to promote the extension of paid working lives and, consequently, to reduce the fiscal pressure of state pensions on federal government. Whereas in the past, it was often the male breadwinner who retired alone, with a slightly younger partner at home, currently most people face the retirement decision as a couple. Of sixty-year-old working women and men today, 72% has a spouse who is also working. These demographic shifts raise important new research questions, like: How do spouses influence each other's retirement decisions? Does a retired spouse ‘pull’ the working partner out of the labor market? To what extent are there gender differences in spousal influences? How do solo and joint retirement affect people's health and well-being? The project will use data from the NIDI Pension Panel Survey (2015-2018-2023). This is a prospective multi-level cohort study (N>5000) among wage employed older workers (60-65 at baseline) enrolled in three of the bigger Pension Funds in the Netherlands. In the study both partners are included as respondents.

This project is funded by Netspar. The postdoc project is based at NIDI in The Hague. The postdoc will be part of the ‘Work and Retirement Theme Group’. The postdoc will write articles for international refereed journals, as well as for more policy oriented outlets.

Main tasks

• Writing academic articles.
• Data analysis of survey data.
• Contribution to the dissemination of research findings.
• Contribution to data collection.

Requirements

• Acquired a PhD in Sociology or a related discipline (or being on the verge of acquiring a PhD in this area).
• Solid knowledge of statistical methods for the analysis of data from individual and/or household surveys, preferably panel and multi-actor data.
• Knowledge of main theories in family sociology and gerontology.
• Excellent writing and social skills.
• Preferably fluent in Dutch.
• Candidates are expected to be available no later than 1 May 2025.

Additional information

For additional information you may contact prof. dr. Kène Henkens (henkens@nidi.nl).

Application procedure

Candidates are invited to submit their application in English or Dutch. Applications must include, in two PDF files:

• A motivation letter.
• A full curriculum vitae, including list of publications, names and contact details of two referees and an overview of university grades.

The deadline for submitting your application is 15 January 2025.

About NIDI

The Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI) is a leading European demographic research institute. NIDI is part of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and affiliated with the University of Groningen. It is located in the center of The Hague providing a unique and stimulating research environment in the broad field of population studies. Currently the staff of the institute consists of about 65 employees of different levels of seniority and organized in a rather horizontal structure within four thematic research groups. The working environment is highly international and NIDI provides ample opportunities for training and development.

Diversity & Inclusion

The KNAW considers a working environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated of great importance. A working environment in which attention is paid to individual quality and where development opportunities are paramount. Together we strive for an inclusive culture in which we embrace differences. We would therefore like to invite candidates who want to contribute to this through their background and experience. In the event of equal suitability, preference will be given to the candidate who thus enhances diversity within the Academy.

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