Postdoctoral Scholarship in Political Science

University of Antwerp

Department: Department of Political Science
Faculty: Faculty of Social Sciences
Employment Type: Full-time

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF ANTWERP

The University of Antwerp is a dynamic, forward-thinking university.

We offer an innovative academic education to more than 20,000 students, conduct pioneering scientific research, and play an important service-providing role in society.

We are one of the largest, most international, and most innovative employers in the region. With more than 6,000 employees from 100 different countries, we are helping to build tomorrow's world every day.

Through top scientific research, we push back boundaries and set a course for the future – a future that you can help to shape.

POSITION

The Department of Political Science in the Faculty of Social Sciences is looking for a full-time doctoral scholarship holder in the field of Political Science and Public Administration.

The successful candidate will:

  • Prepare a PhD thesis with a historical focus on how citizen-state relationships and encounters have evolved over time as levels of bureaucratization and digitalization have increased.
  • Publish scientific articles related to the research project.
  • Carry out a limited number of teaching and research support tasks for the Faculty of Social Sciences.

PROFILE

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

  • Hold a Master’s degree in:

    Have an affinity for studying public sector organizations and bureaucratic complexity.
    • Public Administration
    • Political Science
    • History
    • Sociology
    • Or an equivalent discipline

    or

    • Have obtained the degree by the time the appointment begins.
  • Having an affinity for historical approaches is considered an advantage.
  • Demonstrate excellent academic results.
  • Act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity, and cooperation.
  • Have C-level proficiency in Dutch to perform the necessary fieldwork.
  • A command of French is considered an additional strength.

WHAT WE OFFER

The University of Antwerp offers:

  • A one-year doctoral scholarship.
  • Following a positive evaluation, the scholarship may be renewed once for an additional three-year period.
  • An expected starting date of 1 October 2026.
  • A monthly scholarship calculated according to the scholarship amounts for doctoral scholarship holders.
  • Additional benefits including:Access to a wide and varied range of courses and an educational credit through the Antwerp Doctoral School.
    • Eco cheques
    • Internet connectivity allowance
    • Bicycle allowance or full reimbursement of public transport commuting costs
  • A dynamic and stimulating working environment at the City Campus.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Application Deadline: 17 August 2026 (midnight Brussels time)

Applications must be submitted through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform.

Applicants should complete the online application form and include the following attachments:

  • A motivation letter
  • An academic CV
  • A 2-page research proposal outlining a suggested theoretical and methodological approach to studying bureaucratization and the state

The selection committee will review all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline.

Applicants will be notified once a decision has been made. Candidates who remain eligible after the pre-selection will be informed about the next step(s) in the selection procedure.

For questions regarding the online application form, applicants may:

For questions about the position, please contact:

Professor Wouter Van Dooren
Email: wouter.vandooren@uantwerpen.be

Dr. Bjorn Kleizen
Email: bjorn.kleizen@uantwerpen.be

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The University of Antwerp has received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy.

The University is a sustainable and family-friendly organisation that invests in the growth of its employees.

It encourages diversity and attaches great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of:

  • Gender identity
  • Disability
  • Race
  • Ethnicity
  • Religion or belief
  • Sexual orientation
  • Age

People from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics are encouraged to apply.

Apply