Job opening: Postdoc "Social Inequality in Students' Participation in Internationalization Activities" (23819)

Tilburg University | Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences

is looking for a

Postdoc “Social Inequality in Students’ Participation in Internationalization Activities”

Department: Sociology  

Hybrid: Tilburg

Contract size: 0,8 fte (32 hours per week)

Full-time gross monthly salary: €3.546 – €4.901 

Contract duration: 6 months  

Intended start date: September 1, 2026

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will be responsible for conducting and analysing 24 in-depth interviews with students and one focus group with internationalization officers and student support staff on the topic social inclusion barriers and enablers in internationalization. The research project is funded by Erasmus+, and includes project partners in The Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Belgium. The project Social Inequality in Higher Education Students’ Participation in Internationalization Activities (SEPIA), aims to develop evidence-based strategies that ensure all higher education students, regardless of their background, have access to international opportunities as part of their degree. The project will assess the mechanisms behind participation and non-participation in internationalization activities across three institutional contexts, focusing on social inequalities at the micro-level and organizational barriers at the meso-level.

Your position

The main tasks of the postdoctoral researcher are the following:

• Conduct 24 in-depth interviews and 1 focus group in the Netherlands (in Dutch);
• Transcription and translation (if needed) of the in-depth interviews and focus group;
• Qualitative analysis of the data, in collaboration with the partners in Norway and Spain;
• Report the main findings, in collaboration with the partners in Norway and Spain.

We offer you the possibility to further develop your already existing knowledge of qualitative research methods, the possibility to work together with passionate colleagues and renowned experts in the field of international higher education, the possibility for co-authorship of publications arising from the qualitative analysis in An informal, pleasant working atmosphere in an international and multidisciplinary team with the freedom and flexibility: working days/hours are flexible and determined together.

Your profile

• You have (or will soon receive) a PhD degree;
• You have demonstrated experience with conducting qualitative research. Experience with semi-structured in-depth interviews and focus groups would be a plus;
• You have a special interest in social inequalities and/or internationalisation of higher education;
• You have a strong command of Dutch and English (CEFR C1 for Dutch, C2 for English), as the interviews and focus group need to be conducted in Dutch. Additional knowledge of Norwegian and/or Spanish is a plus.
• You have good communication and teamwork skills;
• A publication record of qualitative research findings in established journals focusing on (higher) education is considered a plus;
• Good knowledge of topics such as international higher education, the sociology of higher education, or similar topics is considered a plus;

Our offer

Tilburg University offers excellent benefits in a pleasant working environment:

• Employment of 0,8 fte (32 hours per week).
• Salary between €3.546 and €4.901 gross per month for full-time employment (UFO-profile Researcher 4, salary scale 10). Tilburg University uses a neutral remuneration system based on relevant work experience.
• This is a vacancy for a temporary position in accordance with Article 2.3 paragraph 5 sub b CLA Dutch Universities. You will be given a temporary contract for the duration of 6 months.
• Vacation pay of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.
• Hybrid working with home working allowance (€2 p/day) and internet allowance (€25 p/month).
• Reimbursement sustainable commuting: walking, cycling, and public transport.
• Pension through ABP.
• Inclusive work culture: everyone welcome, equal opportunities.
• A green, inviting campus that’s easily accessible by public transport.

For more information, please see our website and the CLA Dutch Universities.

Want to know more?

Would you like to know more before applying? Feel free to contact Christof van Mol, tel 013 466 2790, or [email protected].

Want to apply?

We kindly invite you to apply before 25 May, 2026; this can only be done online. Address your cover letter to Christof van Mol and attach your resume. We look forward to your response.

The letter selection will take place by June 5, 2026. You will be notified as soon as possible thereafter. The selection interviews will take place on June 11, 2026 in the morning, online.

The selection committee consists of:

1. Christof Van Mol, Associate professor Sociology, Tilburg University
2. Adriana Perez Encinas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
3. Emrys Gerritse, Oslo Metropolitan University

You will ideally start working for Tilburg University on 1 September 2026.

This vacancy has been published simultaneously internally and externally. In case of equal suitability, our preference is for an internal candidate.

About Tilburg University

Tilburg University is an academic, inclusive, and engaged community. Together with nearly 3,000 employees, we are committed to broad prosperity, sustainably, and inclusion. For current and future generations. We develop and share knowledge for the requirements of people and our society. This is how we contribute to solving complex social issues and help society move forward.

We educate our 19,500 students of 110 nationalities to become responsible leaders with knowledge, skills, and character. With our education and research for broad prosperity, we exceedingly focus on themes such as mental and preventive care, an inclusive labor market, the energy transition, and digitalization.

About Tilburg School of Social and Behavioural Sciences

Tilburg University is a modern, specialized university. The teaching and research of the Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences are organized around the motto of "Understanding Society". The faculty’s inspiring working environment challenges its workers to realize their ambitions; involvement and cooperation are essential to achieve this.

About Department of Sociology

The Department of Sociology with its vibrant, intellectual stimulating and innovative researchers is responsible for a Dutch Bachelor program and for a 1-year English Master program. In addition, the department offers a minor in the school's 2-year Research Master program Social and Behavioral Sciences. The research program studies questions of social inequality and of social cohesion from a longitudinal and cross-national perspective, with a theoretical-empirical approach. More info

Recruitment code
Tilburg University applies the recruitmentcode of the Dutch Association for Personnel Management & Organization Development (NVP).

Disclaimer
The text of this vacancy advertisement is copyright-protected property of Tilburg University. Use, distribution and further disclosure of the advertisement without express permission from Tilburg University is not allowed, and this applies explicitly to use by recruitment and selection agencies which do not act directly on the instructions of Tilburg University. Responses resulting from recruitment by non-contractors of Tilburg Universities will not be handled.