Fully Funded PhD Scholarship in Sociology at Vrije Universiteit Brussel – Apply before 22 February 2026

The Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) is offering a fully funded PhD scholarship in Sociology, with a focus on ethnoracial educational inequality in Europe. The position is hosted within the Faculty of Social Sciences & Solvay Business School, Department of Sociology, and is affiliated with the BRISPO Research Group. The scholarship is set to commence on 1 May 2026.

About VUB
For over 50 years, VUB has championed the principles of freedom, equality, and solidarity, creating an academic environment that values critical thinking, intellectual independence, and societal engagement. With approximately 4,000 employees, VUB is the largest Dutch-speaking private-sector employer in Brussels, an international and multicultural city with four vibrant campuses.

VUB encourages researchers and staff to approach social and scientific challenges with creativity, reflexivity, and openness. The university is also a proud member of EUTOPIA, a European alliance of universities dedicated to reimagining higher education and research collaboration across Europe.

PhD Position Overview
The PhD research addresses ethnoracial inequality in European secondary education. Despite efforts to promote equity, racialised students face structural barriers that impact their academic outcomes and overall well-being.

The doctoral research aims to:
• Explore how racism and whiteness shape education systems across Europe
• Apply multilevel comparative analyses at national, school, and individual levels
• Use advanced critical quantitative methodologies, including QuantCrit and CritQuant

The PhD candidate will prepare a dissertation under the supervision of Prof. Fanny D’hondt and Prof. Pieter-Paul Verhaeghe, contributing to two major projects:
• VUB-BOF project examining ethnoracial educational inequality
• ERC Consolidator project MARIS, focusing on racism and social mobility at the societal level

The candidate will be based at VUB’s Brussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus (Elsene).

Candidate Requirements
The ideal candidate should have strong academic credentials, methodological expertise, and a clear research interest in educational inequality. Essential qualifications include:
• Master’s degree in social sciences, preferably with a sociological focus
• Excellent academic record with high grades
• Strong interest in sociology of education, race, and ethnicity
• Advanced quantitative skills, including multilevel and multivariate regression analysis
• Motivation to develop critical quantitative approaches
• Collaborative mindset, with ability to co-publish in high-impact journals
• Proficiency in English (written and spoken)
• Excellent communication, teamwork, and intercultural competence
• Eligibility to comply with VUB residence and work permit requirements

VUB values diversity and inclusion and strongly encourages applications from all backgrounds.

Scholarship and Benefits
The PhD scholarship is full-time, initially for 12 months and extendable up to 48 months based on annual evaluations. Key benefits include:
• Competitive doctoral grant aligned with government salary scales
• Support to apply for external research funding
• Stimulating research environment at BRISPO
• Flexible teleworking options with monthly allowance
• 35 days of annual leave, year-end closure, and additional leave days
• Full reimbursement of public transport or bicycle commuting costs
• Access to campus dining, sports facilities, childcare, and employee discounts
• Continuous training and professional development opportunities

Enrollment as a doctoral student at VUB is a formal requirement for the scholarship.

Application Process
Interested candidates must apply by 22 February 2026 via the official VUB portal. Required documents include:
• Curriculum vitae highlighting statistical and research skills
• Motivation statement in English
• Master’s thesis or extended summary
• Academic transcripts
• Diploma (not required for VUB alumni)

The selection process involves:
• Initial screening of application files
• Online or in-person interviews during the first week of March 2026

For inquiries about the PhD position, candidates may contact Prof. Fanny D’hondt at Fanny.Lieve.Dhondt@vub.be.

This PhD scholarship offers a unique opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research on education, social mobility, and racial inequality while being part of an internationally recognized academic community.