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.