Postdoc or Junior Researcher in Comparative Political Economy

Leiden University has a vacancy for a:

Post-Doctoral or Junior Researcher in Comparative Political Economy of Labour Market Risks and Welfare State Transformations

Research Project TransEuroWorkS: Transforming European Work and Social Protection - A New Proactive Welfare State Fit for the Future World of Work

A consortium of 10 European universities and other research institutions has received funding from the European Commission (Horizon Europe) for a large-scale, multi-disciplinary research project on the future world of work and social protection in Europe. TransEuroWorkS provides a new and more integrative understanding of how fundamental changes in the labour market and European context can be managed through national and European Union (EU)-level social protection. At the center of this research are three structural labour market transformations: the green transition, digitalisation, and the internationalisation of the workforce. Leiden University is the coordination team of the TransEuroWorkS project.

By June 2025, the project has been running already for two and a half years. During this period, the team at Leiden University has acquired and created different types of data that can be utilised in empirical research:

• In collaboration with five partners within the consortium, we have designed and fielded the TransEuroWorks Public Opinion Survey. As part of this survey, we have designed a number of survey experiments to study respondents’ preferences and attitudes towards social policies, welfare chauvinism, intra-EU migration and fiscal integration of EU member states.
• Together with the University of Geneva, we have developed new indicators that capture the work requirements (eligibility criteria) that need to be met in order to access unemployment benefits. We have nearly finalised a dataset that converts statutory provisions into a series of indicators for a large number of countries and years. The indicators refer to both typical workers and non-standard workers.

You will be involved in one or more sub-projects using the previously described or associated data. Specific examples of such sub-projects concern the following:

• Contributing to the literature on intra-EU migration or EU-level fiscal integration by analysing public opinion data.
• Contributing to the CPE literature on changes in welfare generosity, the determinants thereof, and interrelated socioeconomic outcomes.
• Contributing to the literature on immigration and non-standard employment by measuring gaps in the coverage to and/or take-up of social benefits between i) citizens and immigrants, ii) permanent and temporary employees and iii) part-time and full-time employees using micro data such as EU-LFS and EU-SILC.

The position comprises the following tasks:

• Conducting innovative research within the framework of the research project TransEuroWorkS;
• Submit research results for publication in academic journals;
• Present papers at international conferences;
• Together with the other members of the coordination team at Leiden University: assist with the coordination of the consortium and collaborating with partners;
• Present the findings to policymakers and engage stakeholders;
• Organise and participate in seminars, workshops, and conferences of the programme.

Selection Criteria

• For a post-doctoral researcher: a PhD in comparative political economy, political science, economics, sociology, public administration or another discipline that is relevant for TransEuroWorkS;
• For a junior researcher: a master’s degree in comparative political economy, political science, economics, sociology, public administration or another discipline that is relevant for TransEuroWorkS;
• Excellent research qualities which are relevant for the research profile of TransEuroWorkS. Experience on either of the following is considered an advantage:
• Analysing public opinion surveys and survey experiments;
• Analysing welfare state indicators;
• Analysing micro-data such as EU-LFS and EU-SILC;
• Experience with project coordination is considered an advantage;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and the ability to effectively communicate with external audiences;
• Given the collaborative nature of the project, being a team player is highly valued.

Our Department

The Department of Economics is a vibrant research community. We work together to make a difference, celebrate our bigger and smaller successes and look out for each other. Moreover, a good work-life balance is important to us, and we offer the flexibility to combine work with other responsibilities.

The department has been growing steadily and will continue to grow with new bachelor and master programs in economics in The Hague starting in September 2025. The department has a reputation of working together in teams on joint research projects, while at the same time giving individual researchers the autonomy and flexibility to pursue other research interests as well. In the broad field of economics, the activities of the department are concentrated on socio-economic policy, law and economics, the functioning of the labor market, and social security. The department provides courses for a number of study programs, such as public administration, liberal arts, and law. Moreover, the department co-organizes the bachelor program ‘Economics, Governance and Management’ and the master program ‘Economics and Governance’ with the Institute of Public Administration.

Our Faculty

The Department of Economics is part of Leiden Law School (ranked #1 in the Netherlands for the subject of law and #21 in the 2022 QS World University Rankings by Subject). Leiden Law School is located in Leiden and The Hague. With more than 6500 students and around 700 staff, it is one of the largest university faculties in the Netherlands. The faculty focuses on innovative multidisciplinary research and educational programmes that are constantly renewed in response to issues in society. Our faculty is large enough to make a difference nationally and internationally, yet small enough to offer personalised education. This is how we contribute to a safe and sustainable world, each and every day. The faculty is housed in the beautifully restored Kamerlingh Onnes Building on the Steenschuur in Leiden. The Department of Economics also has offices in The Hague. Working for Leiden Law School means working in a welcoming and inspiring academic environment.

Terms & conditions

• We offer a full-time position (38 hours per week) until 1 November 2026.
• Salary ranges from € 47.143,- to € 86.653,- gross per year for a full-time position (scale 10-11), in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. This includes holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3%). Salary depends on education and experience.
• Start date: 1 October 2025 (or as soon as possible).
• Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with training and career development (including, for example, language courses, teaching courses and project management courses). Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions.
• Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break.

Diversity

Diversity and inclusion are core values of Leiden University. Leiden University is committed to becoming an inclusive community which enables all students and staff to feel valued and respected and to develop their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High quality teaching and research is inclusive.