Post-doctoral researcher in Disinformation and European Democracy (4-year)

Welcome to Maastricht University! 

Are you doing research on disinformation and its impact on democracy in Europe? Do you have demonstrated experience in working with colleagues from different disciplines and do you have strong organizational skills? And do you see yourself working in an international and interdisciplinary environment at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Maastricht University?

If the answer to those questions is ‘yes’ then we welcome your application. 

Post-doctoral researcher in Disinformation and European Democracy (4-year)

• Our goal: At Maastricht University and the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences we research and teach about the challenges of contemporary Europe in a globalizing world from an interdisciplinary perspective. The process of European integration since 1945 and questions of European democracy, governance, and foreign policy are central to our research agenda. Our researchers study the EU and Europeanisation, yet they also contribute to debates on European society, global order, and take an interest in transnational history.
• Your colleagues: You will become a member of the Department of Political Science of Maastricht University (https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/about-um/faculties/arts-and-social-sciences/departments/department-political-science) and will contribute to the Research Programme “Europe: Society, Politics and Global Order” (https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/research/fasos-research-institute/research-programmes/europe-society-politics-and-global-order). You will contribute to the research agenda of disinformation with other colleagues in the fields of political science, history, law, economics and psychology.

What you do

This position is embedded in the so-called Disinformation & Democracy sector plan, funded by the Dutch government, which brings together researchers across faculties at Maastricht University (Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences, Law, Psychology & Neuroscience, Business & Economics) to examine how disinformation shapes democratic processes, citizenship, and digital resilience. In addition to your own research agenda, you will play a central, facilitating, role in bringing all Maastricht researchers, working on disinformation, together.

Your responsibilities include:

• Conduct independent research relevant to disinformation and democracy under the umbrella of the sector plan, contributing to its goals and deliverables.
• Publish research in high-quality, peer-reviewed journals and present findings at international conferences and workshops.
• Contribute to seminars, public events, or policy-outreach activities (e.g., stakeholder workshops, policy briefs).
• Collaborate closely with other researchers in FASoS (politics and history) and partner faculties (Law, Psychology, Business & Economics).
• Facilitate the organization of cross-faculty and national collaboration as part of the sector plan. Participate in administrative and organizational tasks related to the sector plan (reporting, funding proposals, coordination). 
• Contribute to the teaching in a variety of BA and MA programmes at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, such as the BA and MA programmes in European Studies and the BA programme in Digital Society, and supervise BA and MA theses.

Are you ready to set the course for the years ahead? Then we’d love to meet you. 

What you bring 

We’re not looking for checkboxes; we’re interested in who you are and what you bring. Do you recognize yourself in this?

• A PhD (or equivalent) in political science, computational social science, digital humanities, or a related social science or humanities discipline, with strong methodological skills (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed).
•  A demonstrated research track record, including publications or working papers, ideally in fields such as (online) dis-/misinformation, democratic theory, political behaviour, political economy, political history, political psychology, political communication, or public policy in Europe.
• Excellent organizational, project management, and coordination skills — ability to manage projects, meet deadlines, and work within a collaborative research environment.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Strong communication skills, with experience in dissemination of research beyond academia (e.g., policy engagement, public events) is a plus.
•  A demonstrated interest in interdisciplinary collaboration, especially with legal and humanities scholars, psychologists, data scientists, or others engaged in the Disinformation & Democracy sector plan.

What we offer 

At Maastricht University, you’ll work in an international, open, and engaged environment. We offer: 

•  A 12-month contract with the prospect of a 3-year extension (4-year in total), based on mutual satisfaction.
• A gross monthly salary between €4,728 and €6,433 (based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week). 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus.
• 29 vacation days (based on full-time), four additional days off (Carnival Monday and Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day), and the possibility to accrue up to 12 extra days through compensation hours.
• Flexible working hours, a home office allowance, and the option to work from home.
• Freedom and space to shape your work independently and develop your ideas.
•  A close-knit community of colleagues to collaborate and grow with.
•  A solid pension plan via ABP, company fitness schemes, and access to various university sports facilities.
• An inspiring work environment in the heart of Europe. 

About the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASoS)

FASoS is a close-knit, international community of thinkers, doers, and connectors. We offer interdisciplinary education in cultural and social sciences, and our research focuses on societies in transition. Creativity and collaboration are central; ranging from European integration, digitalization, and culture to innovative educational projects. FASoS is small-scale, informal, and diverse, with room to follow your own path.\

Interested?
Want to know more about this position or what it’s like to work at our university? Reach out to Prof. Dr. Hylke Dijkstra (Director of the ESPO Research Programme) at h.dijkstra@maastrichtuniversity.nl. You can also apply directly using the button below.  

When applying for this position, please submit:

• Cover letter (max. 2 pages) explaining your motivation, fit, and proposed research agenda.
• CV, including publication list.
• A copy of your PhD certificate or a letter by your supervisor confirming your likely PhD submission date. Your dissertation needs to be formally approved before starting this position.
• Research statement (max. 3 pages) detailing a proposed project (or projects) aligned with the themes of disinformation and European democracy.
• Two writing samples (e.g., published article, working paper).

We will schedule job interviews early February. The starting date of this position is as soon as possible (with some flexibility).

We look forward to getting to know you!

About Maastricht University
At Maastricht University, we collaboratively seek solutions to help move the world forward. We do this with 23,300 students and 5,400 employees across 5 regional locations, 6 faculties, and more than 70 research institutes. We encourage you to push boundaries and discover new opportunities for yourself and the world around you. Together, we can find the answers for tomorrow. 

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.

At Maastricht University, we prefer to contact potential candidates directly. We therefore kindly ask that no agencies or intermediaries submit offers or approaches.

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.