In the Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS) of VU University Amsterdam, the PhD Programme is embedded in the Faculty Research Institute CCSS (Centre for Comparative Social Studies).
As per November 1st, 2008, the CCSS offers 5 fully paid PhD positions. Candidates are asked to apply with their own research proposal. The selection procedure takes place in phases, and selection will take into account the CV, reference letters, the quality of the proposal, the fit of the proposal with the ongoing research programmes in the Faculty, and will also entail an interview and a brief oral presentation of the research proposal.

Tasks
Successful candidates will undertake doctoral research within the context of one of the research programmes of the FSS. PhD students in the FSS receive intensive supervision by the faculty’s leading researchers in the field, and take part in the courses and other activities of the CCSS PhD Programme. In addition, depending on the individual needs and practices of the receiving department, PhD students may be required to enroll in one of the national research schools
(‘onderzoekscholen’) in the Netherlands. PhD students will also be coached in getting their work published in academic journals and books. PhD students finally also participate in the national and international research networks in which the research groups of the FSS are active, and participate in academic conferences.

University Graduate
Applicants should have a Master degree with very good grades in one of the Social Sciences or a related discipline, depending also on the topic of the research project. You must have a demonstrable affinity with doing scientific research and be proficient in written and
spoken English. You are highly motivated, can work well independently as well as in small teams, and have excellent communication and social skills.

VU University Amsterdam

Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, has been a renowned cultural, scientific and commercial centre for many centuries. It was here, in 1880, that the VU University Amsterdam first opened its doors to students. VU stands for 'Vrije Universiteit', which means 'Free University'. Here, 'free' refers to freedom of state and church interference. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam was established in 1880 by orthodox protestants. Nowadays it aims to be inspiring, innovative and involved.

Throughout the past century, the university has continued to expand. It now comprises twelve faculties and has teaching facilities for 18,000 students.

Click here for an overview of faculties and institutes: http://www.english.vu.nl/About_the_VU/

The university campus and university hospital are situated in the south-western part of Amsterdam, one of the most dynamic and fast-growing business districts in the Netherlands. The international airport of Schiphol-Amsterdam is 10 kilometres away, just 8 minutes by train. With more than fifty undergraduate (or bachelor’s) programmes and almost a hundred postgraduate (or master’s) programmes, the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers a wide choice of study options. The programmes are of a high quality, the atmosphere is very conducive to study, and the teaching staff is easily accessible.

Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: temporary

Additional conditions of employment:
A contract of employment is offered initially for a period of 12 months, extendable to a total duration of four years upon a positive evaluation. The four-year contract period must be concluded with the completion of a doctoral dissertation. Part-time employment is possible (with a minimum of 80%, i.e. 5 years).
More information about our fringe benefits can be found on www.vu.nl/vacatures.

Salary
The salary is based on the salary scales for academic staff. The salary in the first year amounts to € 2.000,- gross per month, increasing to € 2.558,- gross per month in the fourth year, based on full-time employment.

 
Or additional information can be obtained through one of the following links.

You can apply for this job before 15-09-2008 by sending your application to:

Further information and applications
For more information and the application form see: http://english.fsw.vu.nl/phd where you will be able to download a format for your research proposal. For further information, please contact the Director of the PhD Programme, Professor Henk Overbeek (tel. +31-20-598 6852, email ).


Please send your application, mentioning the vacancy number in the e-mail header or at the top left of the letter and envelope, before September 15, 2008 to the VU University Amsterdam, Faculty of Social Sciences, attn. Mrs. Drs. M. Karssen, directeur bedrijfsvoering, de Boelelaan 1081, 1081 HV Amsterdam, or by e-mail: . Applications must contain a letter, a curriculum vitae, a list of publications or graduate papers, two academic letters of reference and a research proposal.
Start of the programme: November 1st, 2008

We are looking forward to receiving your application.

Any other correspondence in response to this advertisement will not be dealt with

When applying for this job always mention the vacancy number 1.2008.00248.