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Postdoc in Comparative Political Economy of Labour Market Risks and Welfare State Transformations - Job Opportunity at Universiteit Leiden

Den Haag, Netherlands
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: June 25, 2025
On-site
€47,143 - €86,653 per year

Benefits

Comprehensive compensation package including 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus enhancing total compensation beyond base salary
Extensive professional development opportunities including language courses, teaching certification, and project management training to accelerate career advancement
Flexible individual choices model allowing customization of employment terms and conditions to match personal preferences and life circumstances
Substantial tax break eligibility for international candidates providing significant financial advantage for non-Dutch residents
Full-time employment security with clear contract duration until November 2026 providing stability for career planning
Access to international conference participation and academic networking opportunities funded by the institution
Work-life balance emphasis with flexible scheduling to accommodate personal responsibilities and research demands

Key Responsibilities

Lead innovative research within the prestigious TransEuroWorkS consortium, contributing to policy-shaping insights on European labor market transformations that will influence EU-level social protection strategies
Drive publication of high-impact research in top-tier academic journals, establishing thought leadership in comparative political economy and welfare state analysis
Represent institutional expertise at international conferences, building professional networks and advancing the university's research reputation on the global stage
Coordinate complex multi-institutional partnerships across 10 European universities, developing critical project management skills while ensuring successful delivery of EU-funded research objectives
Engage directly with policymakers and stakeholders to translate research findings into actionable policy recommendations, bridging the gap between academic research and real-world implementation
Design and execute sophisticated empirical analyses using cutting-edge datasets including custom survey experiments and newly developed welfare state indicators
Organize high-profile academic events including seminars, workshops, and conferences that will establish the researcher as a key figure in the European political economy research community

Requirements

Education

PhD in comparative political economy, political science, economics, sociology, public administration or another discipline relevant for TransEuroWorkS (for postdoc position) OR Master's degree in relevant field (for junior researcher position)

Experience

Excellent research qualities relevant for TransEuroWorkS research profile

Required Skills

Analysing public opinion surveys and survey experiments Analysing welfare state indicators Analysing micro-data such as EU-LFS and EU-SILC Project coordination experience Excellent written and oral communication skills in English Ability to effectively communicate with external audiences Team collaboration skills
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

European labor market research is experiencing unprecedented growth due to post-pandemic work transformations, green transition policies, and digital economy shifts creating massive demand for comparative political economy expertise. The EU's commitment to NextGenerationEU funding and the European Green Deal has created a research ecosystem worth billions in funding opportunities for scholars specializing in labor market transitions and social protection systems. Welfare state transformation research has become critically important as European governments grapple with aging populations, climate change adaptation, and technological disruption requiring new social protection models. The intersection of digitalization, environmental policy, and social security creates a unique research niche with significant policy impact potential and career advancement opportunities. Multi-institutional European research consortiums are becoming the dominant model for large-scale social science research, with Horizon Europe funding prioritizing collaborative projects that span multiple countries and disciplines. This trend creates exceptional networking opportunities and career mobility for researchers who can navigate complex international academic partnerships.

Salary Evaluation

The salary range of €47,143 to €86,653 annually represents competitive compensation for European academic positions, with the wide range reflecting flexibility between junior and senior postdoc levels. Including the 16.3% additional benefits (holiday and year-end bonuses), total compensation reaches €55,000 to €101,000, which positions this role in the upper tier of European academic salaries and compares favorably to similar positions in Germany, France, or the UK.

Role Significance

The role involves coordinating within a consortium of 10 European universities, suggesting management of relationships with 15-25 academic partners and supervision of 3-5 junior researchers or graduate students. The position likely includes oversight of research assistants and collaboration with 2-3 senior principal investigators across multiple institutions.
This position represents a significant mid-level academic role with substantial autonomy and project leadership responsibilities, positioning the successful candidate as a key contributor to major EU policy discussions. The coordination responsibilities and stakeholder engagement requirements indicate this is not an entry-level position but rather a career-defining opportunity for someone ready to take on institutional leadership roles.

Key Projects

Leading empirical analysis of the TransEuroWorks Public Opinion Survey, a multi-country study examining citizen attitudes toward social policy reforms and EU integration measures Developing and implementing new welfare state indicators that will become standard tools for comparative political economy research across European institutions Conducting policy impact assessments for EU policymakers on labor market transitions affecting millions of European workers Managing international data collection and analysis projects involving sensitive political and economic data from multiple EU member states

Success Factors

Mastery of advanced quantitative research methods, particularly survey analysis and experimental design, is essential for making meaningful contributions to the field and advancing to senior academic positions. The ability to work with complex European datasets and develop new analytical frameworks will determine long-term career success in this specialized field. Strong project management and international collaboration skills are critical given the multi-institutional nature of EU research funding and the need to coordinate across different academic cultures and administrative systems. Success requires the ability to build consensus among diverse stakeholders and manage complex timelines and deliverables. Policy communication skills and the ability to translate complex academic research into actionable policy recommendations will be essential for career advancement and securing future funding. The European policy environment rewards researchers who can effectively engage with Brussels-based institutions and national governments. Building a strong publication record in top-tier journals while maintaining active policy engagement requires exceptional time management and strategic career planning. Success depends on balancing academic excellence with practical policy impact to establish credibility in both spheres.

Market Demand

High demand exists for researchers with expertise in European labor market transitions and welfare state analysis, driven by urgent policy needs across EU member states facing demographic and technological challenges. The specific combination of comparative political economy skills, survey methodology expertise, and EU policy knowledge creates a highly marketable skill set with limited supply of qualified candidates.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Advanced quantitative analysis skills, particularly in survey methodology and experimental design, are absolutely essential for success in this role as the position requires sophisticated analysis of complex European datasets and development of new analytical frameworks that will influence policy decisions across multiple EU member states. Project coordination and international collaboration abilities are critical given the multi-institutional nature of the research and the need to manage relationships across diverse academic and cultural contexts while delivering results that meet EU funding requirements and policy expectations. Policy communication and stakeholder engagement skills are essential for translating complex research findings into actionable policy recommendations and building relationships with EU institutions that can provide future career opportunities and research funding. Expertise in European labor market dynamics and welfare state systems is crucial for making meaningful contributions to policy debates and establishing credibility within the specialized community of European political economy researchers and policymakers.

Beneficial Skills

Language skills beyond English, particularly German, French, or other major EU languages, would significantly enhance research capabilities and policy engagement opportunities across different European contexts and increase mobility within European academic and policy networks. Teaching and training experience would be valuable for future academic career development and could provide additional opportunities for engaging with policy schools and professional development programs within EU institutions. Previous experience with EU funding applications and management would be beneficial for securing future research funding and advancing to principal investigator roles on major European research projects. Digital humanities and computational social science skills would enhance research capabilities and provide competitive advantages in an increasingly data-driven research environment focused on large-scale European datasets and policy modeling.

Unique Aspects

This position offers the rare opportunity to serve as coordination team member for a major EU Horizon Europe project, providing exceptional visibility and networking opportunities within European academic and policy circles that can accelerate career advancement significantly.
The role combines cutting-edge methodological work developing new welfare state indicators with high-impact policy research, creating a unique skill set that is highly valued in both academic and policy sectors.
Access to exclusive datasets including custom-designed survey experiments and newly developed comparative indicators provides competitive advantages for future research projects and publication opportunities.
The position offers direct engagement with EU policymakers and stakeholders, providing invaluable experience in policy communication and implementation that distinguishes candidates for senior academic and policy positions.
The international consortium structure provides access to research networks across 10 European countries, creating exceptional opportunities for collaborative research and career mobility within European academic systems.

Career Growth

Career progression to senior research positions typically occurs within 3-5 years for high-performing postdocs, with policy transition opportunities available immediately upon completion of current project. Academic tenure-track positions generally require 4-7 years of postdoctoral experience with strong publication records and policy engagement.

Potential Next Roles

Senior Research Fellow or Principal Investigator positions at leading European research institutions, with potential for establishing independent research programs focused on European integration and social policy Policy advisor or consultant roles with EU institutions in Brussels, including positions with the European Commission, European Parliament, or major think tanks specializing in European affairs Assistant Professor positions at top universities with strong European studies or political economy programs, particularly institutions with established connections to EU policymaking Director-level positions at international organizations or NGOs focused on labor rights, social protection, or European integration policy advocacy

Company Overview

Universiteit Leiden

Leiden University stands as one of Europe's oldest and most prestigious institutions, founded in 1575, with particular strength in law, political science, and European studies. The university's Leiden Law School holds the #1 ranking in the Netherlands for law and #21 globally, providing exceptional academic credibility and networking opportunities. The institution's location in The Hague, the international city of peace and justice, offers unique access to European institutions, international courts, and diplomatic networks.

Leiden University maintains a premier position in European academic rankings and enjoys exceptional reputation for research quality and policy impact. The university's strong connections to Dutch government institutions and European policy networks provide unparalleled opportunities for career development and policy influence. The institution's research funding success rate and international collaboration network place it among the top tier of European research universities.
The position's location in The Hague provides extraordinary access to European policy networks, international organizations, and diplomatic institutions. The proximity to EU decision-making centers, combined with excellent transportation connections to Brussels, London, and other major European cities, creates unique opportunities for policy engagement and international collaboration that are unavailable in most academic positions.
Leiden University emphasizes collaborative research culture with strong support for work-life balance and professional development. The institution's commitment to diversity and inclusion, combined with its international faculty and student body, creates a cosmopolitan academic environment. The university's tradition of academic excellence coupled with practical policy engagement provides an ideal environment for researchers seeking to combine scholarly achievement with real-world impact.
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