PhD in Family Sociology – Gendered Care Perspective (Antwerp) (30.06.2019)

The Centre for Population, Family and Health (CPFH) is seeking to fill the following full-time (100%) vacancy: Doctoral Grant (Fonds Voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek-Vlaanderen (FWO)) in the area of family sociology

Job description

• You prepare a doctoral thesis in the field of family sociology, working on a project on family dynamics and upward solidarity (intergenerational care for parents).
• You work in close collaboration with your supervisors and colleagues studying related research themes.

Project abstract

The sociological field of intergenerational solidarity studies the type and intensity of interactions between adult children and their parents. For upward informal caregiving (children looking after their parents), it has been acknowledged that care arrangements are shaped within families. Although it are individual children who care for their parents, the amount of care a child provides is generally the outcome of a collective family decision. Gender stands out as a determinant of the care a child provides. Caregiving is unfairly weighted against women, especially in male-dominated families. An important feature of informal caregiving is its fluidity.

This project examines the extent to which caregiving is subject to change, and how this relates to the gender composition of children and other aspects of the family context. Using a rich longitudinal panel (Share), we pursue 4 aims: (1) to examine to what extent the gender composition of siblings affects the care use of parents, (2) to assess the association between gender composition and stability of the adult-child care network, (3) to study the stability and redistribution of the informal care burden and how this relates to siblings’ gender composition, and (4) to investigate how the care network and distribution of sibling care vary when parents’ care needs change.

Profile and requirements

• You hold a master degree in social sciences, preferably in sociology, or economic sciences.
• You can submit outstanding academic results.
• You have an interest in family sociology and intergenerational solidarity.
• You are capable of executing quantitative research.
• You are capable of applying (or learning) advanced statistical analysis techniques (multi-level analysis, structural equation modeling).
• Your academic English and writing skills allow you to successfully communicate research results.
• Your academic qualities comply with the requirements stipulated in the university’s policy.
• You are quality-oriented, conscientious, creative and cooperative.
• Also master students in the final year of their degree can apply.
• Foreign candidates are encouraged to apply.

We offer

• a doctoral scholarship for a period of two years, with the possibility of renewal for a further two-year period after positive evaluation;
• the start date of scholarship will be September 1st or October 1st 2019;
• a monthly grant amount ranging from € 2.373,36 – € 2.516.73;
• a dynamic and stimulating work environment.

How to apply?

• Applications may only be submitted online, until June 30th 2019.
• A pre-selection will be made from amongst the submitted applications. The remainder of the selection procedure is specific to the position and will be determined by the selection panel.
• The interviews will take place on Friday July 5th.
• More information about the application form can be obtained from vacatures@uantwerpen.be.
• For questions about the profile and the description of duties, please contact prof. Dimitri Mortelmans (dimitri.mortelmans@uantwerpen.be) or dr. Jorik Vergauwen (jorik.vergauwen@uantwerpen.be).