PhD Position: Providing Informal Care to Loved Ones at the Expense of One’s Social Relations Radboud University in Netherlands

This PhD position at Radboud University investigates the impact of providing informal care to loved ones on the social relations of caregivers. The project is embedded within the SOCION consortium, which addresses the challenge of societal fragmentation and aims to generate new pathways to social cohesion. As societies age, the demand for care increases, often falling on informal caregivers—those within the personal network of individuals needing help. The research explores whether, why, and under which conditions providing informal care affects the quality and quantity of caregivers’ relationships with partners, family, and friends. The findings will contribute to optimizing care arrangements and understanding the broader implications for social cohesion and well-being.

As a PhD candidate, you will conduct independent research, participate in the SOCION consortium, and join the ICS Graduate School alongside peers from Utrecht, Groningen, Amsterdam, and Nijmegen. You will also dedicate 10% of your time to teaching within the Sociology programme. The Department of Sociology at Radboud University focuses on themes such as inequality, family and social relationships, and processes of inclusion and exclusion. The department is part of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, which offers education to 6,000 students and employs 700 staff. Research is carried out within three institutes: the Donders Centre for Cognition, the Behavioural Science Institute, and Radboud Social Cultural Research (RSCR).

Radboud University provides a supportive and inclusive environment, with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements, and opportunities for professional development. The position offers a temporary employment contract (1.0 FTE) for 1.5 years, extendable to 4 years upon positive evaluation. The gross monthly salary ranges from €3,059 to €3,881, with additional benefits including holiday allowance, end-of-year bonus, extra days off, pension plan, and discounts on sports and cultural activities.

Applicants must hold an MA/MSc degree in sociology, demonstrate interest and ideally familiarity with social psychology, and possess skills in quantitative research analysis. Professional proficiency in English is required, and proficiency in Dutch is considered a plus. Candidates should be enthusiastic about interdisciplinary research and collaboration with both academic and non-academic stakeholders. The application deadline is 1 April 2026, with interviews scheduled for 20 and 28 April. The preferred start date is 1 September 2026. For further information, contact Professor Ellen Verbakel at [email protected].

To apply, submit your application online via the Radboud University job portal, addressing your letter to Ellen Verbakel and including all required documents as specified in the application form. Join a vibrant research community and contribute to advancing knowledge on social cohesion and informal caregiving.