Postdoc Position in Social Sciences (Utrecht University )

Faculty: Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences Department: Social Sciences Location: Utrecht University, Utrecht Science Park, The Netherlands Hours per week: 28 – 32 Contract: 1 year, possibility to extend 2 more years Salary: €3,546 – €5,538 gross per month (full-time, CAO NU scale 10) + 8% holiday pay + 8.3% year-end bonus + pension scheme Application deadline: 27 February 2026 Contact: Dr. Anna Zhelnina – a.zhelnina@uu.nl Project Overview Part of the ERC-funded project “Strategic Care in Activism: Mental Health Across Scales of Social Change” (Care2Act). Interdisciplinary research combining social psychology and sociology. Investigates how individuals and communities maintain well-being while engaging in activism at local, identity-based, and climate-related scales. Focus on the dual task of strategic care: regulating personal mental health while engaging in societal change. Employs qualitative and participatory methods, e.g., in-depth interviews, observations, group discussions, and Ripple Effects Mapping. Responsibilities Lead one or more empirical case studies on activist initiatives in the Netherlands or Germany. Develop qualitative research instruments and conduct fieldwork/participatory workshops. Contribute to theoretical development and co-author publications with the PI and project team. Independently plan and execute research while collaborating with interdisciplinary teams. Develop own publication plans within the project scope. Candidate Profile PhD in social sciences, sociology, anthropology, social psychology, or related disciplines (or expected by September 2026). Interest and knowledge in social movements and/or mental health. Proficiency in qualitative research methods; participatory methods are a plus. Strong analytical skills, independent researcher, team player. Fluent in English (C2); knowledge of Dutch, German, or Russian advantageous for fieldwork. Track record appropriate to career stage with curiosity and enthusiasm for research. Benefits & Environment Work in a vibrant interdisciplinary team across social psychology, sociology, and public health. Contribute to research with societal impact for activists’ well-being. Flexible working conditions, parental leave, pension schemes. Professional development opportunities and access to Utrecht University resources. If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Academicoxy

Faculty: Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences
Department: Social Sciences
Location: Utrecht University, Utrecht Science Park, The Netherlands
Hours per week: 28 – 32
Contract: 1 year, possibility to extend 2 more years
Salary: €3,546 – €5,538 gross per month (full-time, CAO NU scale 10) + 8% holiday pay + 8.3% year-end bonus + pension scheme
Application deadline: 27 February 2026
Contact: Dr. Anna Zhelnina – a.zhelnina@uu.nl

Project Overview

Part of the ERC-funded project “Strategic Care in Activism: Mental Health Across Scales of Social Change” (Care2Act).
Interdisciplinary research combining social psychology and sociology.
Investigates how individuals and communities maintain well-being while engaging in activism at local, identity-based, and climate-related scales.
Focus on the dual task of strategic care: regulating personal mental health while engaging in societal change.
Employs qualitative and participatory methods, e.g., in-depth interviews, observations, group discussions, and Ripple Effects Mapping.

Responsibilities

Lead one or more empirical case studies on activist initiatives in the Netherlands or Germany.
Develop qualitative research instruments and conduct fieldwork/participatory workshops.
Contribute to theoretical development and co-author publications with the PI and project team.
Independently plan and execute research while collaborating with interdisciplinary teams.
Develop own publication plans within the project scope.

Candidate Profile

PhD in social sciences, sociology, anthropology, social psychology, or related disciplines (or expected by September 2026).
Interest and knowledge in social movements and/or mental health.
Proficiency in qualitative research methods; participatory methods are a plus.
Strong analytical skills, independent researcher, team player.
Fluent in English (C2); knowledge of Dutch, German, or Russian advantageous for fieldwork.
Track record appropriate to career stage with curiosity and enthusiasm for research.

Benefits & Environment

Work in a vibrant interdisciplinary team across social psychology, sociology, and public health.
Contribute to research with societal impact for activists’ well-being.
Flexible working conditions, parental leave, pension schemes.
Professional development opportunities and access to Utrecht University resources.