Vacancy PostDoc International Organizations (Quantitive Methods)
Postdoctoral researcher in international organisations (quantitative methods)
Maastricht University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Department of Political Science, 1.0 fte, 18 months
You are invited for a postdoctoral position in the project “Who gets to live forever? Toward an Institutional Theory on the Decline and Death of International Organisations”. This research project is funded by the European Research Council (ERC). The principal investigator is Dr. Hylke Dijkstra.
Reference number: AT2020.330
Research project
Many international organisations (IOs) are under significant pressure. The World Health Organization was heavily criticized over its handling of the COVID outbreak. The United States has left UNESCO, the United Kingdom is transitioning away from the EU and Burundi quit the International Criminal Court. The ultimate way for states to show their discontent is to disband IOs: no less than a third of the IOs has formally ceased to exist. While academics have analysed how IOs are designed and develop, we know little about decline and death. This project addresses therefore the question why do IOs decline or die? For more information, see https://www.nestior.eu
Job description
This is an opportunity to join an existing research team carrying out a highly prestigious ERC project. In particular we are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to conduct quantitative research on the decline of international organisations using existing datasets. You will work independently and in collaboration with the principal investigator (PI) of the project as well as three PhD candidates. You will have the opportunity to expand on the details of your own research based on your expertise, the material you gather and your own ideas, in consultation with the PI. You will also work synergistically and collectively with the rest of the team. For example, you will: play a crucial role in the theoretical and methodological innovations required by the project; lead, and contribute to, academic publications; participate in team meetings; offer active support to the PhDs; engage in presentations; and be involved in the co-organisation of workshops and other events related to the project. You will be based in Maastricht.
Requirements
You have a completed PhD in international relations (or another relevant topic/field, such as political science), with methodological experience in quantitative methods. You must be willing to travel, be open to working together with a team of five scholars on a collaborative project, and have excellent organisational abilities. You are fluent in English (Cambridge English Proficiency, level C2, oral and written), since you will be engaging on an international level, collaborating with other team members in English and producing English-language publications.
Maastricht University
Located in the heart of Europe, UM is the most international university in the Netherlands with half of our students and one third of academic staff coming from abroad. In total, UM represents 100 different nationalities.
Maastricht University is a stimulating environment where research and teaching are complementary, where innovation is our focus and where talent can flourish. Maastricht University is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterized by a small-scale and student-oriented approach. Research is characterised by a multidisciplinary, thematic, and collaborative approach.
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASoS) has about 250 staff members, and about 1,730 students. More than 77% of the students are non-Dutch (65 different nationalities). All programmes are offered in English and some are also offered in Dutch. FASoS offers four 3-year bachelor’s programmes: Arts and Culture, European Studies, Digital Society and Global Studies. It also offers eight different 1-year Master’s programmes and two 2-year research master’s programmes.
Research is organised around four programmes: Politics and Culture in Europe; Science, Technology and Society Studies; Arts, Media and Culture; and Globalisation, Transnationalism and Development. The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is housed in the historic city centre of Maastricht.
What we have to offer
You will be part of an international network of top universities and renowned scholars within the field.
Initially, you are employed on a 1-year contract as Postdoctoral researcher (researcher level 3) and agree to specific development goals. The first year will be a probation period, after a positive assessment the position will be extended for the remaining six months.
Your position of Post-doctoral Researcher (Researcher level 3) will consist of 70% research and 30% teaching.
Remuneration will be according to standard salary levels, depending on education and relevant work experience. This implies a gross monthly salary of about € 3.746,00 per month, scale level 11 (based on a full-time appointment). Each year the standard salary is supplemented with a holiday allowance of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
The university’s relocation policy stipulates that you need to move to (the vicinity of) Maastricht. If not already living in Maastricht (or its direct surroundings), you will be eligible for an allowance for moving costs or an allowance for alternative housing.
Other secondary conditions include e.g. a pension scheme and partially paid parental leave as well as a shared office space and a PC.
Maastricht University’s Terms of Employment are laid down in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). In addition, local university provisions apply. For more information please see the website: http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl > Support > UM employees.
Starting date: Preferably between 1 April and 1 September 2021
Information
Further information on the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is available on our website:
www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/fasos
Any inquiries about the position or the project may be addressed to the principal investigator: Dr. Hylke Dijkstra (h.dijkstra@nullmaastrichtuniversity.nl)
Application
You are invited to submit:
- A letter of motivation summarising relevant experience and reasons for interest in the position
- A CV including a complete list of publications
- A grade transcript of previous education at Master/graduate level
- PhD degree certificate
- Your two best articles or book chapters, preferably single-authored
Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position regardless of your background or identity.
The deadline for submitting your application is 15 January 2021
Please send your application electronically to the Secretariat of the department of Political Science,:
pzfasosvac-philotss@nullmaastrichtuniversity.nl
