PhD Position in Urban Expulsion Regimes and Housing Inequality (Sociology/Urban Studies/Geography/Anthropology) at Vrije Universiteit Brussel Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium

The Brussels Institute for Social and Population Studies at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) is offering a fully funded PhD position as part of the ERC-funded EXPULSE project, focusing on urban expulsion regimes and their impact on housing trajectories, urban citizenship, and socio-spatial inequalities in Brussels, Amsterdam, Barcelona, and Thessaloniki. The research employs a comparative mixed-methods approach, including quantitative analysis of eviction court data and qualitative interviews and ethnographic fieldwork with institutional actors and residents.

The successful candidate will study urban expulsion regimes from both policy and lived experience perspectives, examining state policies, legal frameworks, housing regulations, and public discourse, as well as the everyday practices of street-level bureaucrats and private actors. The position is based in Barcelona and involves exploring housing insecurity, coping strategies, and access to urban citizenship.

Applicants should have a Master’s degree in sociology, urban studies, geography, anthropology, or related fields, with experience in qualitative research methods such as interviews, ethnography, and discourse analysis. Fluency in English and proficiency in Catalan or Spanish are required. Experience with housing insecurity or vulnerable populations and networks with housing movements in Barcelona are advantageous. The position offers a full-time PhD scholarship (initially 12 months, renewable up to 48 months), flexible working arrangements, generous leave, insurance, commuting reimbursement, and access to campus facilities in a dynamic international environment. The application deadline is 15 May 2026, with interviews in early June 2026. For more information, contact Prof. Eva Swyngedouw at [email protected].