PhD Position in Voting Behaviour and Social Group Ownership KU Leuven in Belgium

The Voting & Democracy Research Group at KU Leuven is offering a full-time PhD position focused on voting behaviour and social group ownership within the context of Western European democracies. The successful candidate will join a vibrant research team dedicated to understanding the functioning and challenges of electoral democracy, with a particular emphasis on public opinion, voting behaviour, political participation, political parties, and democratic institutions.

This doctoral position is part of the FWO-funded project “Parties' Social Group Ownership”, which investigates how links between social groups and political parties form and evolve. The project draws on the literature of issue ownership and aims to establish the prevalence and sources of social group ownership perceptions in Western Europe, as well as their impact on voting behaviour. The research will involve developing survey measures and experimental manipulations embedded in online surveys across twelve West European democracies.

Applicants should hold or be close to obtaining a master’s degree in political science or a related field such as communication science or sociology. A passion for research, strong interest in elections and political parties, basic training in quantitative research methods, and excellent English communication skills are essential. The position offers a competitive salary in line with KU Leuven salary scales for PhD students, a four-year fellowship (subject to positive evaluation after the first year), and opportunities for additional training, education, and career guidance. The research environment is collegial, inclusive, and internationally oriented.

To apply, candidates must submit a motivation letter, CV, official transcript of academic records and diploma(s), a writing sample (20-25 pages), and contact details of at least one reference via the KU Leuven online application tool by June 26, 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview, including a short research presentation. The position is supervised by Prof. dr. Ruth Dassonneville. For further information, contact [email protected].

KU Leuven is committed to equal opportunity and diversity, fostering an inclusive and respectful academic environment. The university does not tolerate discrimination and offers support for accessibility and other needs.

For more details on salary and benefits for PhD students at KU Leuven, visit this page.