This fully funded PhD position at Erasmus University Rotterdam, within the Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences (ESSB), offers an exciting opportunity to investigate the governance of migration temporalities in urban contexts, focusing on cities such as Rotterdam and Bilbao. The project is part of the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network “MITIME: Migration and Time in Post-industrial Urban Europe,” which brings together 15 PhD candidates across seven leading European universities. The research will explore how complex and fluid migration patterns interact with local and national policies, particularly regarding the temporalities of migrants’ stays and the assumptions underlying public services, social protection, and civic integration measures. The project aims to understand how policies address the changing intentions and mobility of diverse migrant categories, including intra-EU migrants, asylum seekers, highly-skilled professionals, digital nomads, and students, and how these policies affect access to rights and services.

As a PhD candidate, you will conduct interdisciplinary and collaborative research, develop a concrete project within the overarching theme, and participate in qualitative fieldwork in Rotterdam and Bilbao. You will contribute to MITIME’s collective research, dissemination activities, and network events, and spend at least three months on secondment at the University of Deusto in Bilbao. The position offers joint supervision by leading experts, including Prof. Dr. Peter Scholten (Erasmus University Rotterdam) and Dr. Bilge Yabanci (University of Deusto), and access to a comprehensive training programme combining theoretical courses, advanced methods, and transferable skills. You will benefit from structured mentoring, leadership training, and strong career development opportunities across academic, public, and private sectors.

Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in governance studies, migration studies, public administration, political sociology, or policy studies, and demonstrate proficiency in English. The position is open to candidates of any nationality, but MSCA-DN mobility rules apply: candidates must not have resided or conducted their main activity in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 36 months preceding the start date (1 September 2026). Prior experience in qualitative and/or quantitative research, academic writing in the social sciences or humanities, and a strong commitment to interdisciplinary and collaborative research are required. Knowledge of Dutch and Spanish is advantageous due to the fieldwork sites. The contract is for one year, extendable up to four years, with a competitive salary (€3,059 to €3,881 gross/month), 8% holiday pay, 8.3% end-of-year bonus, paid leave, pension contributions, and additional benefits including work-life balance options, development days, and support for international mobility.

To apply, candidates must submit a single PDF containing a motivation letter, CV, research proposal, official transcripts, degree certificates, and proof of English proficiency before the deadline (1 February 2026). The selection process includes two interviews in February-March 2026, with final notifications in April. For further information, contact Prof. Dr. Peter Scholten or Dr. Bilge Yabanci. Erasmus University Rotterdam is committed to diversity, inclusion, and positive societal impact, and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. For more details, visit the university website or the vacancy page.