Assistant Professor Sociology

Assistant Professor Sociology

Assistant Professor

Assistant Professor Sociology

Working towards resilient societies, transparent science, and alignment with the job market: these are three of the themes that Social and Behavioural Sciences faculties at Dutch universities are focusing on. We are implementing the national sector plan for the social sciences From Insight to Impact , for developing solutions to urgent social issues and strengthening the impact of science.

We are looking for an Assistant Professor with a PhD degree in sociology (or related discipline) who actively contributes to the collaborative development and implementation of an interdisciplinary research and teaching agenda within the sector plan theme Societal Transitions and Behavior Change (STAB). Your research has clear connections to the research agenda of the theme . Your management and teaching will contribute to the Bachelor and Master’s programmes of the Department of Sociology.

Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences

Apply no later than: 28 October 2026

Assistant Professor Sociology

https://werkenbij.rug.nl/vacature/universitair-docent-sociologie-2532/?lang=en

What are you going to do?

The position of Assistant Professor combines teaching, research, contributing to societal impact, and service to the academic community.

Teaching contributes to the Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes of the Department of Sociology (including a faculty-level interdisciplinary research master program), student supervision, and curriculum development of our teaching. Furthermore, the candidate will supervise Bachelor, Master, and PhD students. The ability to teach in Dutch is essential, as a substantial part of the curriculum is offered in Dutch. Teaching may also take place in English and can include hybrid forms of education.

Research in this position contributes to the STAB research program and focusses on the behavioural and social mechanisms through which societal transitions unfold. It examines how individual behaviour, social networks, organizations, institutions, and norms interact across micro, meso, and macro levels to shape the implementation and consequences of policies and interventions in areas such as sustainability, climate change, and inequalities. The successful candidate will develop a research agenda that fits with the profile of the Department of Sociology and connects to ICS, the national-level interuniversity research and training center ICS (Interuniversity Center of Social Science Theory and Methodology) and/or the summit program SOCION (Social Cohesion: Towards a New Fabric of Society), two programmes in which the department plays a central role. We welcome candidates who combine strong sociological theory with empirical research and who are open to collaboration across disciplines. The candidate is expected to develop a research-funding plan allowing her/him to attract external funding in the short/medium term.

Active engagement with societal stakeholders, as well as participation in managerial committees related to the organization of the programmes is expected.

For more information about the research in the sector plan, please visit: https://sshraad.nl/en/sectorplans/

Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences

Apply no later than: 28 October 2026

Who are you?

We are looking for candidates who meet the following requirements:

• A completed PhD in Sociology or a closely related Social Science discipline.

• A clear sociological research profile, demonstrated by a good publication record appropriate to the candidate’s career stage.

• Motivation and ability to contribute to interdisciplinary collaboration.

• Experience studying societal challenges relevant for the theme STAB, or a clear motivation to do so.

• Experience with, or willingness to contribute, to societal impact and actively engage with societal stakeholders.

• Potential to attract external research funding.

• Experience and interest in teaching including lecturing, development of courses, internship/thesis supervision.

• Experience with teaching and supervision at different levels (BA, MA), or clear potential to develop this.

• Interest in developing and implementing innovative and inclusive teaching practices.

• Relevant teaching qualifications (such as the University Teaching Qualification) or willingness to acquire them in the short term.

• Ability to communicate and teach in Dutch and English at B2/C1 level.

• Team player with excellent social and communicative skills.

What can you expect from us?

• In accordance with the collective labor agreement for Dutch universities, we offer a salary of at least € 4.925 (salary scale 11) up to a maximum of € 7.573 (salary scale 12) gross per month for a full-time employment contract.

• 232 vacation hours per year, based on a 38-hour workweek (1.0 FTE). You can also work more or fewer hours in exchange for more or fewer free hours. For example, with a 40-hour workweek, you save 96 extra free hours, and with a 36-hour workweek, you lose 96 hours.

• End-of-year bonus of 8.3% and 8% holiday allowance.

• Extensive opportunities for personal and professional development.

• A fixed-term employment contract for a duration of one year. Depending on performance and business conditions, the contract may subsequently be extended or converted into a permanent employment contract.

Where will you be working?

At the University of Groningen (UG), researchers from all fields of academia and technology are working on academic challenges and societal questions. Lecturers prepare their students for meaningful careers within or outside the academic world. Interdisciplinary research and teaching, sharing of knowledge, collaboration with businesses, government institutions, and societal organizations are aspects that are of the utmost importance to this European top university. The UG aims to be an open academic community with an inclusive and safe working climate that invites you to add your value.

The Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences (GMW) excels in research and teaching in the areas of behaviour, thinking, learning, and participation in society. More than 4,500 students and approximately 650 staff address social questions and challenges that people experience in daily life. Our core focus is on individual and societal resilience and how to strengthen it. We focus on current themes such as health and wellbeing, sustainable living, learning and development, inclusive society, safe and healthy upbringing, and work and collaboration. If you would like to learn more about the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, visit rug.nl/gmw .

The position is situated in the Department of Sociology at the Faculty BSS. The department provides education within the Bachelor’s program in Sociology, the Master’s program in Sociology, and the Research Master’s in Behavioral and Social Sciences. The department’s research takes place within the research program “Social Networks, Solidarity and Inequality” of the national research school Interuniversity Center for Social Science Theory and Methodology and partly also within the Summit program SOCION .

Application procedure

• Your application : After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation by email.
• Selection : The selection committee assesses your application and you will be notified as soon as possible whether you are invited for an interview.
• First interview : We would like to get to know each other better in a first interview, which can take place either online or on location.
• Second interview and possible assessment or guest lecture : We may schedule a second interview with you. Depending on the position, this interview can be complemented with an assessment or guest lecture.
• Terms of employment meeting : After a positive interview, we will discuss the terms of employment together. When everything is completed, we are happy to welcome you at the University of Groningen!

Stap 1

Your

After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation by email.

Stap 2

Selection

The selection committee assesses your application and you will be notified as soon as possible whether you are invited for an interview.

Stap 3

First

We would like to get to know each other better in a first interview, which can take place either online or on location.

Stap 4

Second interview and possible assessment or guest lecture

We may schedule a second interview with you. Depending on the position, this interview can be complemented with an assessment or guest lecture.

Stap 5

Terms of employment meeting

After a positive interview, we will discuss the terms of employment together. When everything is completed, we are happy to welcome you at the University of Groningen!

Interested?

Does this vacancy appeal to you? If so, click on the button below and apply straightaway.

Please add the following documents to your application

• CV.

• Cover letter.

• Vision on teaching (max 2 A4).

• Vision on research (max 2 A4).

• Vision on social impact (max 2 A4).

Do you have any questions or need more information?

• Questions about the content of the job? Rafael Wittek Full Professor R.P.M.Wittek@rug.nl

• Questions about your application process? Basak Bilecen Associate Professor B.Bilecen@rug.nl

Information about applying

When scheduling meetings, we will take your schedule into account as much as possible.

The University of Groningen considers social safety important. We strive to be a university where staff and students feel respected and at home, regardless of differences in background, experiences, perspectives, and identity. For more information, see also our page about our diversity policy .

Acquisition is not appreciated.

Our selection procedure follows the guidelines of the NVP Application Code.

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