Fully Funded PhD Opportunity

Fully Funded PhD Opportunity: How Welfare States Create and Reinforce Social Deficits of Migrants | Utrecht University

Utrecht University is inviting applications for a fully funded PhD position titled "How Welfare States Create and Reinforce Social Deficits of Migrants" within the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences. This interdisciplinary research opportunity is ideal for candidates interested in migration studies, sociology, social policy, welfare state research, and social sciences.

The project explores how welfare systems and migrants' social networks interact to influence integration, inclusion, and social inequality.

Position Details

Position: PhD Candidate
Research Area: Welfare States, Migration & Social Networks
Faculty: Social and Behavioural Sciences
Department: Social Sciences
Location: Utrecht, Netherlands
Employment: Full-Time (36–40 hours per week)

About the Research Project

Migrants' social networks are commonly viewed as important sources of support alongside formal welfare-state institutions. This PhD project takes a novel perspective by examining how these networks can also reinforce social deficits, including social pressures, stigma, and misinformation, potentially affecting migrants' social and economic integration.

The research aims to generate new insights into the relationship between welfare policies, migrant communities, and social inequality, contributing to both academic research and public policy.

Research Responsibilities

The selected PhD candidate will:

Conduct independent research on migration, welfare states, and social networks.
Review and analyse existing literature on migration and social policy.
Collect and analyse qualitative and/or quantitative research data.
Publish findings in leading international journals.
Present research at academic conferences and workshops.
Collaborate with researchers within the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences.
Contribute to teaching and departmental academic activities where applicable.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should possess:

A Master's degree in Sociology, Social Sciences, Migration Studies, Public Policy, Political Science, Anthropology, or a related discipline.
Strong interest in migration, welfare systems, and social inequality.
Excellent analytical and research skills.
Strong written and spoken English communication skills.
Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in an international research environment.

Why Apply?

This PhD position offers an opportunity to:

Join one of Europe's leading research universities.
Work on an innovative and socially relevant migration research project.
Collaborate with internationally recognised researchers.
Develop expertise in migration studies and welfare state research.
Build a strong academic profile through publications and international conferences.
Contribute to research with real-world policy impact.

Application Deadline

16 August 2026

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their applications through the official Utrecht University recruitment portal before the application deadline.

Official Website

https://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/working-at-utrecht-universit,

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