Because the funding is for three years, applicants must have obtained (or depending on the institution: be about to obtain), an MSc/MRes/MPhil (requirements may vary by institution) in an appropriate area of social science (e.g., demography, economics, epidemiology, political science, psychology, sociology, statistics) or medical science (e.g., genetics, epigenetics). We are looking for students with strong quantitative skills. Professional experience is a plus, but not a must.

• Monthly living allowance (gross) € 3,400: this amount is adjusted through the application of a country correction coefficient to the living allowance of the country in which the researcher is recruited. This is to ensure equal treatment and purchasing power parity for all researchers. The country correction coefficients are indicated in Table 1 (p.109) of the MSCA Work Programme
• Monthly mobility allowance: € 600
• Monthly family allowance (if applicable, depending on family situation): € 495

Fellows will be recruited through an international open call that aims at being “open, efficient, transparent and supportive” as stated in the European Code of Conduct for Recruitment. The process will seek merit-based selection while guaranteeing gender balance, equality, inclusion and transparency in line with the European Charter for Researchers

If you want to apply for one of our grants you must:

• Comply with the mobility rule, meaning that you must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date (see below (*) for exceptions to this rule).
• Comply with the doctoral candidate criteria, meaning that at the time of recruitment by the hosting institution they have not been awarded a doctoral degree.
• Fulfil the requirements to be enrolled in a doctoral programme at the hosting institution/country, and, if applicable, the specific eligibility requirements at the hosting institutions.
• Submit a complete application within the submission deadline.
• Meet the English language requirements of the University you are applying to.

* When checking compliance with the mobility rule, the refugee procedure will not be considered as a period of residence in the country where the candidate is applying. When all scores and evaluation criteria are equal, preference will be given to candidates from under-represented groups, for example women, and candidates with disabilities or those from refugee backgrounds.

Fellows will be recruited through an international open call that aims at being "open, efficient, transparent and supportive" as stated in the European Code of Conduct for Recruitment. The process will seek merit-based selection while guaranteeing gender balance, equality, inclusion and transparency in line with the European Charter for Researchers. 

Enquiries: There is an online Q&A session on 29 November 2022, 10-11am CET. At least one individual of each University will be available to answer questions. Zoom link(Meeting ID: 950 8277 9199)

How to apply:

• Please completethis online form, and send your CV, and a short (max 1 page) letter expressing your interest to essgn.sbe[at]vu.nl.

• Formal applications need to be submitted to the relevant University/Universities (you can submit applications to multiple Universities) of your choice. Deadlines vary by University, so make sure you check. Each position will be advertised on the relevant University’s website (please contact the local supervisors -listed below- for more information).

• If you have not submitted an expression of interest, you can still submit a formal application to the  University/Universities of your choice.

• Interviews will be held online as soon as possible.

Recruitment calendar:

• Call opening: 28 October 2022
• Q&A session: 29 November 2022
• Deadline for formal applications: varies by University
• Formal (online) interviews: varies by University
• Notification to candidates: as soon as possible after the interviews
• Start date of the fellowship: September/October 2023

Local supervisors:

• Erasmus University Rotterdam (NL), Hans van Kippersluis; Niels Rietveld 
• University of Bologna (IT), Nicola Barban; Pietro Biroli 
• University of Bielefeld (DE), Martin Diewald; Felix Tropf 
• University of Bristol (UK), Stephanie von Hinke; Paul Hufe 
• University of Oslo (NO), Eivind Ystrom; Alexandra Havdahl 
• University of Oxford (UK), Melinda Mills; Augustine Kong 
• University of Uppsala (SE), Sven Oskarsson; Rafael Ahlskog 
• VU University Amsterdam (NL), Titus Galama; Abdel Abdellaoui