Postdoctoral Researcher to Study How Children are Affected by Economic Inequality

Join Us!

Children are growing up in an age of economic inequality. They are exposed to inequality in their neighborhoods, at school, and on social media. Yet, little is known about how economic inequality affects children’s development. With this KiDLAB project, we investigate the developmental consequences of economic inequality. This position is part of Generation Hope, a project funded by a Mercator Sapiens Stimulus (KHMW).

The postdoctoral researcher will examine the consequences of growing up in a world of inequality by analyzing existing intensive longitudinal data and conducting new studies. How do children perceive and explain economic inequality? How are these perceptions and explanations shaped by parents, and how accurate are they? What are the consequences of actual and perceived economic inequality for children’s mental health, social relationships, civic engagement, and egalitarianism? And how do these consequences differ between countries?

In the first year, the candidate will analyze existing intensive longitudinal data on children’s and parents’ experiences of economic inequality. In the second and third year, the candidate will design and conduct new survey, observational, and/or experimental studies on children’s and parents’ experiences of economic inequality. Also, the candidate will explore setting up survey research across different countries to examine cross-cultural differences.

The expected starting date is early 2027. This date is flexible depending on the availability of the candidate, so the position may start a few months earlier or later.

What are you going to do

Your primary tasks will be

• Join KiDLAB as an active team member;
• Analyze existing complex intensive longitudinal data;
• Set up and conduct new survey, observational, and/or experimental studies;
• Write high-quality scientific papers together with the project team;
• Present work at national and international conferences;
• Review and integrate literature across disciplines on the effects of economic inequality.

What do you have to offer

We are seeking a dedicated and creative researcher to conduct fundamental interdisciplinary research on economic inequality. The successful candidate should be able to work autonomously in a collaborative environment. They should bring creativity, persistence, and strong organizational skills, as well as the ability to bring manuscripts to completion.

Your experience and profile

• A PhD in developmental psychology, social psychology, cognitive psychology, pedagogics, sociology, economics, public health, educational sciences, or a related discipline*;
• A demonstrated interest in research on the human consequences of economic inequality;
• A demonstrated interest in child development;
• A record of conducting and publishing high-quality research;
• An aptitude for academic writing and an interesting in improving this skill;
• Advanced data-analytic skills, particularly experience analyzing complex intensive longitudinal data;
• Experience with, or an aptitude for, designing experimental studies involving children and/or caregivers;
• The ability to work independently, take initiative, and bring projects to completion;
• Conscientiousness, flexibility, creativity, and a collaborative approach to research;
• Willingness and ability to develop further across all aspects of the research process.

*If you haven’t obtained your PhD yet, but you do meet the other criteria, you may apply only if you will hand in your dissertation within the next three months and will obtain your PhD within the next six months after the closing of this call.

What else do we offer you

The position concerns temporary employment of 0.8fte (30.4 hours per week) for 1 year.

Your salary will be between € 4.925 t/m € 5.425 gross per month, based on full-time employment and in keeping with the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities. We additionally offer an extensive package of secondary benefits, including 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. Please note that the current position is not for full-time employment, but for four days per week (0.8fte).

There might be a possibility to increase the employment to 1.0fte (38 hours per week) by taking on teaching responsibilities for 0.2fte (7.6 hours per week). However, this cannot be guaranteed, because it depends on the availability of teaching tasks within the department.

The UvA offers excellent possibilities for further professional development and education.

What else do we offer

• you will become member of KiDLAB—an interdisciplinary, international, and collaborative lab that welcomes contributions from diverse people;
• you will be part of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, a faculty that offers many opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration;
• you will work in an inspiring academic and international working environment in the heart of Amsterdam.

In this team/department/institute, you will work

The postdoctoral researcher will become part of KiDLAB (https://kidlab.nl/), led by Eddie Brummelman and consisting of early career scholars who study how children develop views of themselves and their place in modern society. Our vision is to conduct high-quality research on questions with important societal implications.

The lab is embedded in the Preventive Youth Care program group at the Research Institute of Child Development and Education (RICDE). Check out the program group via https://cde.uva.nl/research/child-development/preventive-youth-care/preventive-youth-care.html.

Do you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact: Dr. Eddie Brummelman, Associate Professor, Research Institute of Child Development and Education, e.brummelman@uva.nl.

You can apply via the red button until November 10, 2026.  In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be given preference over external candidates.

If you recognize yourself in this profile and are interested in the role, we look forward to receiving your application in .pdf should include:

• a curriculum vitae
• a letter of motivation (of max. 2 pages)

We will make an initial selection of candidates based on the curriculum vitae and letter of motivation. For candidates who pass the selection, the first interview will take place November 20, 2026, between 10am and 4.30pm Central European Time (CET). For candidates who pass the first interview, the second interview will take place December 7, between 1pm and 4.30pm Central European Time (CET). We offer the possibility of conducting the interviews virtually (e.g., Teams, Zoom).