PhD in Prosocial Effects of Democratic Decision-Making in Citizen Collectives at Erasmus University Rotterdam Erasmus University Rotterdam in Netherlands

Erasmus University Rotterdam is offering a fully funded four-year PhD position focused on the prosocial effects of democratic decision-making in citizen collectives. The research will be conducted within the Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences (ESSB) and is part of the Social Enterprises & Institutions for Collective Action research group. The project investigates how participatory decision-making in cooperatives and citizen collectives fosters civic engagement and prosocial behavior, aiming to understand the broader societal impact of democratic practices.

The PhD candidate will design a serious game for data collection, conduct comparative research across various citizen collectives, analyze spillover effects of democratic practices, and collaborate with networks such as LaNSCO. The research will use qualitative and participatory methods, including ethnography, and will result in both academic publications and practitioner-oriented outputs. The project is highly interdisciplinary, intersecting political science, sociology, psychology, and anthropology, and is situated in the Dutch context.

Applicants should have a Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., social sciences, psychology, political science, anthropology), experience with qualitative or participatory research, and strong motivation to work in both academic and community settings. Proficiency in English is required, and Dutch language skills are advantageous. The position offers a competitive salary (€3,059–€3,881 per month), excellent work-life balance (41 days leave, remote work options), career development opportunities, and comprehensive relocation and integration support for international candidates.

The application deadline is 15 February 2026, with a start date of 1 September 2026. Interested candidates should submit a CV and motivation letter via the Erasmus University Rotterdam applicant portal. For further information, applicants may contact Prof. Tine De Moor or Prof. Lise Jans by email. The university values diversity and encourages applications from all backgrounds and identities.