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 framework of the FWO-funded project “Parties' Social Group Ownership.” This research aims to understand how links between social groups and political parties form and evolve, a topic of growing importance as the alignments shaping vote choices in advanced democracies are increasingly in flux. Drawing on the literature of parties' issue ownership, the project investigates the concept of social group ownership, examining its prevalence in Western Europe, identifying its sources, and assessing its impact on voting behaviour.

The PhD researcher will develop survey measures and experimental manipulations embedded in online surveys across twelve West European democracies. The position is embedded in a vibrant research group that studies electoral democracy, public opinion, political participation, political parties, and democratic institutions. The group offers an inspiring and collegial research environment, with opportunities for additional training, education, and career guidance.

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, voting behaviour, and political parties, as well as basic training in quantitative research methods, are essential. Candidates must demonstrate excellent English proficiency and strong communication skills, both oral and written, and be motivated to work in an international team.

The position is offered as a four-year PhD fellowship, subject to a positive evaluation after the first year. The salary is competitive and follows KU Leuven’s salary scales for PhD students. For more information on salary and benefits, visit KU Leuven PhD information.

To apply, submit a motivation letter, CV, official transcript of academic records and diploma(s), a writing sample of approximately 20-25 pages (such as a course paper or MA thesis summary), and the contact details of at least one reference via the online application tool by June 26, 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview, where they will be asked to give a short research presentation. The position is scheduled to start on October 1, 2026.

For further information, contact Prof. dr. Ruth Dassonneville at [email protected]. KU Leuven is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity, and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds.