PhD scholarship in quantitative comparative social research(m/v)

HIVA-KU Leuven Research Institute for Work and Society is a multidisciplinary research institute of the KU Leuven. Our team has over 70 staff. Our main priorities are scientific quality and social relevance.
HIVA co-ordinates a large-scale EU-wide research on social inclusion through social investment. The research will mainly focus on investment in selected basic service sectors (early childhood services, health care, water, housing and financial services).
The duty station is Leuven (HIVA premises).
The Research Group Poverty, Social Integration and Migration is offering a PhD scholarship in quantitative comparative social research.
Taken:
Responsibilities:
the researcher shall use international databases (EQLS, EU-SILC, ESS, Eurobarometer, ...) for this research and will examine the influence of system characteristics on the accessibility, quality and inclusiveness of service provision in the member states, by means of multi-level analysis.

• You hold a Master's degree (or equivalent) in social sciences, welfare economics or statistics, with excellent study results as well as statistical skills. You also have some relevant knowledge of European social policy.
• You are familiar with/interested in the theme of social inclusion.
• You have the social skills required to work in a team and establish relations with governmental services.
• You have some basic knowledge of Dutch or you are at least willing to learn Dutch for day-to-day communication with colleagues.
• Your written English is fluent (research reports need be submitted in English).
• You have the ambition to write a doctoral thesis (to be submitted and defended within the fourth year). You are sufficiently entrepreneurial to take a creative approach, to develop and finalise a doctoral thesis in a timely manner.

We offer:

• The opportunity to contribute to innovative and international projects with significant social relevance and extensive learning opportunities.
• A pleasant working and team atmosphere in a multi-disciplinary, dynamic university team.
• Good supervision and the opportunity to specialise and follow training.
• A one-year contract starting in March 2015 (in principle - to be negotiated), 3 times renewable after a yearly positive evaluation.
• You will be hired as a PhD student with scholarship (the scholarship is equivalent to a junior researcher's salary). You are expected to defend a doctoral thesis four years after your hiring.
• You will work in an environment where initiative is appreciated and personal commitment is encouraged.

You can apply for this job no later than February 08, 2015 via the online application tool : http://www.kuleuven.be/solliciteren/53224693&taal=E&type=VA