PhD Position in Social Sciences

Utrecht University

Faculty: Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences
Department: Social Sciences
Hours per week: 36 to 40
Application deadline: 26 April 2026

Help shape how Europe measures economic well-being at the local level. In this project, you will develop innovative small area estimation methods to produce high-quality composite SDG indicators, combining survey, census, and non-traditional data sources such as web and satellite data. Contribute to ground-breaking methodology with real societal impact across the EU.

Your job

The Department of Methodology and Statistics has two openings for PhD candidates.

These PhD positions are part of a large 5-year ERC Starting Grant (2026-2030) funded project (Principal Investigator Angelo Moretti) titled “Small Area Estimation Methods to Monitor the Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals at the Subnational Level in the European Union (SAESDGs-EU)”.

  • PhD position in small area estimation in presence of latent variables

  • PhD position in small area estimation in the context of multisource data (probability and nonprobability data)

The first position will be assigned to work package 1 (part B): Computing composite indicators of multidimensional social indicators within the small area estimation framework, whereas the second position to work package 2: Non-traditional data sources as auxiliary variables and multisource statistics issues.

The PhD candidates will be supervised by Dr Angelo Moretti, Dr Camilla Salvatore, and Prof. Peter Lugtig who are part of the world leading group of Data Quality within the Department of Methodology and Statistics. Members of the group conduct cutting-edge research on a broad range of topics, including survey design, measurement error, nonresponse, data integration, register-based statistics, mixed-mode data collection, and methodological innovations for official statistics and social science research. The group maintains strong collaborations with national statistical institutes, international organisations, and academic partners, ensuring that its research has both scientific impact and societal relevance.

The department offers a vibrant and collaborative research environment, with regular seminars, international visitors, and active participation in international research networks. Recently, the group organised and hosted ESRA25, the European Survey Research Association conference, which is the largest international conference in the field of survey methodology in the world. Hosting ESRA25 further highlights the group’s leading position and strong international reputation within the global survey research community.

PhD candidates will be embedded in this dynamic research environment and will have the opportunity to engage with leading scholars in the field, present their work at international conferences, and contribute to high-impact scientific publications.

You will

  • Conduct high-quality methodological research in the field of small area estimation

  • Write academic articles, blog posts, and statistical software

  • Disseminate the research in conferences and other relevant events

Your qualities

Essential

  • Background in Statistics, Mathematical Statistics, Mathematics, or Social Statistics

  • Advanced training in methodological statistics for social science applicants

  • Advanced programming skills in R or other statistical software such as Python, or MATLAB

  • Solid knowledge of statistical inference and statistical modelling

  • Ability to work in a team while maintaining autonomy

  • Proficiency in English (speaking, writing, reading, and listening)

  • Demonstrated academic writing skills

Desirable

  • Knowledge of survey sampling

  • Knowledge of structural equation modelling: for the PhD position in “small area estimation in presence of latent variables”

  • Knowledge of data integration techniques (statistical matching and/or record linkage): for the PhD position in “small area estimation in the context of multisource data”

  • Proficiency with GitHub

  • Demonstrated research skills

Our offer

  • A job for one year, with extension to a total of four years upon successful assessment after the first year

  • Working week of 36 - 40 hours

  • Gross monthly salary between €3,059 and €3,881 (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

  • Pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, and flexible employment terms based on the CAO NU

  • Additional Utrecht University schemes for professional development, leave, sports, and cultural activities

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, focusing on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences, and Pathways to Sustainability.

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. The faculty has nearly 7,000 students and about 1,100 faculty and staff members.

The faculty is located at Utrecht Science Park near the historical city centre of Utrecht.

For more information, contact Dr. Angelo Moretti at a.moretti@uu.nl.

How to apply

Applicants should send their curriculum vitae and a letter of motivation via the “apply now” button. Specify in your cover letter which position you are applying for (you may apply for both).

Interview schedule:

  • First round: 20th and 21st May 2026 (online or in-person)

  • Second round: 9th and 10th June 2026 (online)

Preferred start date: 1st September 2026

Apply