→ Apply before 27/11/2026 (DD/MM/YYYY) 23:59 (Brussels Time)
→ Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences
→ Department: PP23 - Pedagogische Wetenschappen
→ Occupancy rate: 100%
→ Number of positions: 1
→ Type of employment: Contract of unlimited duration
→ Term of assignment:
→ Wage scale: PD1 to PD4 (doctoral degree)
→ Required diploma: PhD
ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY
Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 15,000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities. With its 11 faculties and more than 80 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.
YOUR TASKS
About the ERC-AdG TransParent project
Using a longitudinal, mixed-methods, multi-country design, the ERC-funded project TransParent investigates the lived experiences, wellbeing, and transnational parenting practices of ‘staying-behind’ parents and siblings in four major countries of origin (Afghanistan, Syria, South Sudan, and Nigeria), alongside family reunification processes of minors returning to these contexts, and the parental contexts of young separated minors in foster care families in Belgium. The project runs for five years.
Your responsibilities
Within the TransParent-team, you intensively collaboration with the PI, the other post-doc researcher and three PhD students. You share data and analyses, and you collaborate in disciplinary and interdisciplinary research.
In particular, you will be responsible for:
- the Belgian study, which involves a mixed-methods, longitudinal study with ‘staying-behind’ parents of unaccompanied refugee children in foster care families in Belgium;
- longitudinal study on children returning to their families in two countries (Afghanistan / Syria / South Sudan);
- organization, coordination and follow-up of a large-scale survey amongst the general population in two countries (Afghanistan / Syria / South Sudan), in close collaboration with local researchers and local stakeholders committees.
Together with the other post-doc researcher and the PI, you will be engaged in:
- the support and supervision of PhD students;
- the development of new theoretical models bridging the fields of (child) migration and child & family studies;
- scientific and public dissemination of the study findings;
- the overall coordination of the project
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
- You hold a PhD in Educational Sciences, Social Work or a related social sciences discipline. You must meet the degree requirements by the date of appointment
- You are a team player with strong collaborative skills
- You have knowledge of and/or experience with a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods (e.g. self-report questionnaires, in-depth interviews)
- You have experience conducting research regarding refugee (parents)
- You have affinity with research regarding unaccompanied minors, foster care and/or parenting
- Affinity with research in the research contexts of TransParent or in similar research contexts is an asset
- You have a proven track record of publishing scientific articles in high-quality academic journals
- You have excellent written and spoken Dutch and English language skills (C2 level); knowledge of languages spoken in the research contexts of TransParent is an asset
- You have demonstrable experience working with local researchers and non-academic stakeholders in the design and dissemination of research
- You are empathetic, work accurately, manage deadlines effectively and have a critical mindset
- You are open to constructive feedback and contribute to a positive working environment
- You are willing to travel for data collection and dissemination purposes.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
- We offer you a contract of indefinite duration within the framework of the ERC TransParent
- Your contract will start on 1/01/2027 at the earliest
- Your remuneration will be determined by salary scale PD1 to PD4. Click here for more information about our salary scales
- All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, a bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits.
INTERESTED?
Apply online through the e-recruitment system before the application deadline (see above). We do not accept late applications or applications that are not submitted through the online system.
Your application must include the following documents:
- In the field ‘CV’: your CV (max. 5 pages)
- In the field ‘Cover letter’: your motivation letter, indicating your fit with this position (max. 2 pages)
- In the field ‘Diploma’: a transcript of the required degree (if already in your possession).
Note that the maximum file size for each field is 10 MB.
As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position.
You will be informed by 4 December 2026 at the latest whether you have been selected for the next round. If selected, this next round will take place in Ghent on 17 and 18 December 2026.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Ilse Derluyn (ilse.derluyn@UGent.be, +32(0)472 92 04 09).
Important: do NOT send your application by email, but apply online.
Do you have a question regarding the online application process? Please read the FAQ or contact us via selecties@ugent.be.
