PhD Money in postdivorce families: Resource pooling and transfers to children

Families are pivotal in redistributing income and wealth. Partners pool economic resources, and parents transfer resources to their offspring. In divorced families and stepfamilies, the redistribution of economic resources is less self-evident. This PhD project examines resource pooling and financial transfers to children in postdivorce families, focusing on the role of postdivorce family diversity and gender. Your job The project utilizes (i) panel data ‘New Families in the Netherlands’, (ii) administrative data, and (iii) newly collected qualitative data. The project will provide insights into women’s and children’s economic resilience following divorce and shows whether family diversity constitutes a new driver of socioeconomic inequalities. The PhD project will be carried out at the Department of Sociology of Utrecht University and consists of the following tasks and responsibilities:

• Conducting the research (literature review, analysing data, reporting results) resulting in international scientific publications and a dissertation;
• Collecting qualitative data;
• Presenting at national and international conferences;
• Active participation in activities of the department;
• Teaching (max. 10% of your time).

You will work at the Department of Sociology in a well-integrated team of researchers. The supervisory team will consist of Prof. dr. Anne-Rigt Poortman and Dr. Anne Brons. We will closely cooperate with you and support your research activities. You will gain some experience with teaching and you will receive PhD-training within the Interuniversity Center for Social Science Theory and Methodology (ICS) Graduate School. Your qualities We are looking for an enthusiastic candidate, who

• has (almost) finished a Master programme in Sociology, Interdisciplinary Social Science, or related field;
• has strong affinity with the study of families and economic inequality;
• has experience with both quantitative and qualitative research (or is motivated to learn both types of research);
• has experience with large-scale, complex data sets and advanced statistical methods;
• enjoys doing research and reporting the results in scientific articles;
• want to share scientific knowledge with the general public;
• has good practical skills to set up a data collection;
• has good social skills and is creative;
• has good writing and presentation skills in English (and preferably also Dutch).

Our offer

• a job for 1 year, with an extension to a total of four years upon successful assessment;
• a working week of 36 - 40 hours and a gross monthly salary between €3,059 and €3,881 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU);
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development, various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities. You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage you to keep investing in your personal and professional development. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University. About us A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow. The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences is one of the leading faculties in Europe providing research and academic teaching in cultural anthropology, educational sciences, interdisciplinary social science, pedagogical sciences, psychology, and sociology. Almost 7,000 students are enrolled in a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programmes. The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences has some 1,100 faculty and staff members, all providing their individual contribution to the training and education of young talent and to the research into and finding solutions for scientific and societal issues. The faculty is located at Utrecht Science Park near the historical city centre of Utrecht. More information For more information, please contact Anne-Rigt Poortman by a.poortman@uu.nl. Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University. Apply now As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute. To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation, via the ‘apply now’ button. Please note that international candidates that need a visa/work permit for the Netherlands require at least four months processing time after selection and acceptance. Our International Service Desk (ISD) can answer your questions about living in the Netherlands as international staff. Finding appropriate housing in or near Utrecht is your own responsibility, but the ISD may be able to advise you therewith. In case of general questions about working and living in The Netherlands, please consult the Dutch Mobility Portal. The first round of interviews will be held in November 2025, with a preferred starting date of January 5,2026.