Job opportunities

Project Description

We are seeking two PhD students to contribute to the PRINS project funded by the Johannes Amos Comenius Programme. The candidates will pursue research on partnership trajectories and intergenerational relations. The project investigates how the partnership trajectories of adult children (e.g. singlehood, single parenting or partnership transition) impact intergenerational support and relationships with their parents. Additionally, it focuses on the socio-economic stratification of partnership trajectories and intergenerational ties and variations based on gender. These research questions will be addressed primarily through quantitative analysis of secondary data (e.g., GGS, SHARE, Pairfam).

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct research on partnership trajectories and intergenerational relations, including literature review, formulation of research problems and research questions, data preparation and analysis, and writing scientific papers.
• Present research at local and international conferences.
• Prepare research reports and write outreach articles.
• Assist in organizing stakeholder workshops.

Qualifications and Requirements

Required Field:

• Sociology, demography, or a related field (e.g., economics, psychology).

Required Experience:

• MA degree (or planned completion of MA-level education before the start of employment).
• Experience with quantitative data analysis and statistical software (STATA/R), along with a willingness to improve statistical skills.
• Proficiency in English (at least B2 level).
• Interest in research on intergenerational relations and quantitative analysis.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• High motivation, proactive and independent work ethic, and strong planning skills.

Conditions of Employment

PhD students will be employed at the Sociology Department of Masaryk University and will collaborate with work-package leader Zuzana Zilincikova and other team members. This appointment is temporary until the end of 2028. The initial appointment will be for a period of 12 months and will be extended conditional on a positive annual evaluation.

100% FTE (lower FTE negotiable).

Remuneration: 45-60 ths. CZK/month (approx. 1800-2400 EURO/month) depending on FTE, performance, skill, and previous research experience.

Additionally, PhD students will have a budget for attending international conferences and summer schools, as well as the opportunity to undertake a three-month research stay abroad, funded by the project.

The expected start date is October 1, 2025; however, an earlier or later start date is negotiable.

Who can apply

The offer is aimed at those who simultaneously commence their PhD studies at MUNI. To learn more about PhD in sociology at MUNI (and the application procedure) check https://www.fss.muni.cz/en/faculty-of-social-studies/admissions-and-study-programs/doctoral-studies. Tuition waivers are available for international applicants. However, any PhD student in sociology/demography (or a related discipline) studying at any institution will be considered.

How to Apply
Send an email to [zilincikova@mail.muni.cz] before 31.03.2025 with the subject "APPLICATION PRINS" and the following attachments:

• A motivation letter, including your preferred start date.
• A CV, including contact details of one or two referees.
• A writing sample, such as a Master's thesis, research paper, Bachelor's thesis, or similar.

For more information or further questions, you can contact Zuzana Zilincikova [zilincikova@mail.muni.cz].