This fully funded PhD position at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) focuses on the role of emotions in regulatory politics, as part of the VIDI research project "Emotion-Infused Risk Regulation: Rethinking the Fundamentals of Regulatory Governance for Citizen-Centric Rulemaking," funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO). The project, led by Associate Professor Dovilė Rimkutė, investigates how emotions such as anger, fear, anxiety, and trust influence regulatory decision-making, legitimacy perceptions, and citizen–regulator interactions within EU regulatory systems. The successful candidate will employ a mixed-methods approach, including survey experiments, elite interviews with EU and national regulators, and both quantitative and qualitative analyses. The research will contribute to understanding affective regulatory governance, emotional dynamics in rule-making, and the legitimacy of regulatory authority. The PhD candidate will write a cumulative dissertation based on journal articles, publish in international journals, present at academic conferences, and produce policy briefs and reports. Applicants should hold or expect to obtain a Master’s degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Psychology, Cognitive/Social Psychology, or a related field. Essential skills include experimental research, statistical analysis (e.g., R), elite interviewing, mixed-methods research, strong academic writing, proficiency in English and at least one EU language, and the ability to work in interdisciplinary teams. A commitment to societal impact and inclusive governance is highly valued. The position offers a 4-year contract with a competitive salary (€3,059–€3,881 gross/month), 8% holiday allowance, 8.3% end-of-year bonus, pension and commuting allowances, flexible benefits, generous paid leave, access to sports facilities, and graduate school training. The interdisciplinary research environment and international academic network at VU Amsterdam provide an excellent setting for doctoral research at the intersection of psychology, governance, and public policy. To apply, candidates must submit a single PDF including an academic CV (max 2 pages), motivation letter (max 2 pages), BA & MA transcripts, and contact details for two referees by 15 April 2026. Interviews will be held in May–June 2026, with a flexible start date from September 2026. For more information, visit the official VU Amsterdam vacancies portal.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) is inviting applications for a PhD candidate and postdoctoral researchers to join the NWO Vidi project on Emotions in Regulatory Politics within the Department of Political Science and Public Administration. The positions are embedded in the Regulatory Behavior Lab , which investigates how regulatory authorities behave, decide, and communicate, and how these practices influence citizens’ perceptions of legitimacy and compliance behavior. The Vidi project focuses on the role of emotions in regulatory governance, examining how regulators respond to citizens’ emotion-laden concerns, how citizens experience regulatory encounters emotionally, and the consequences of these emotions for regulatory legitimacy. The research integrates perspectives from public administration, political science, psychology, and behavioral science, and spans multiple policy domains including environmental protection, financial supervision, public health, and consumer safety. The Regulatory Behavior Lab advances theory and evidence-based knowledge to support effective, credible, and responsive regulatory action in complex societal environments. Research questions include how regulators exercise discretion under contestation, how communication affects legitimacy and reputation, and how public evaluations impact rule acceptance and compliance. The lab welcomes interdisciplinary approaches and projects across various regulatory domains, including digital platform governance, food and product safety, energy transition, and AI governance. Eligibility and Requirements: For the PhD position, applicants should hold a relevant master’s degree (e.g., political science, public administration, psychology, communication science) and demonstrate strong research skills and interest in regulatory politics and emotions. For the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship, candidates must have a PhD in a related discipline (awarded no more than 8 years before September 2026), a record of research excellence, and be available full-time for proposal development from May to September 2026. Excellent English skills are required for all positions. Funding: The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship is subject to successful funding application and provides comprehensive institutional support during proposal development. The PhD and postdoctoral positions within the Vidi project are funded, but specific financial details are not provided in the announcement. Application Process: For the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship, submit a single PDF containing your CV and a research proposal idea to Dr. Dovilė Rimkutė at [email protected] by 15 April 2026. For the PhD and postdoc positions, follow the application links to the VU Amsterdam vacancies page and submit your application as instructed. Online interviews for the MSCA fellowship will be held at the end of April, and selected candidates will receive regular feedback and support during the proposal development phase. For more information about the research agenda and the Regulatory Behavior Lab, visit the provided links. This is an excellent opportunity to join a dynamic, interdisciplinary team at a leading European university and contribute to cutting-edge research on regulatory governance and emotions in politics.