Postdoc position on family formation among sexual minorities within the QPATHS project at NIDI/KNAW

The Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI) invites applications for a Postdoc position on family formation among sexual minorities within the QPATHS project at NIDI / KNAW

Despite growing social acceptance and legal recognition of same-sex unions, many individuals in same-sex relationships still face major obstacles on their path to parenthood. The QPATHS (Queer Pathways to Parenthood) project, funded by the European Research Council (ERC), studies the pathways and challenges sexual minorities face in achieving their family goals.

The central aim of the postdoctoral project is to provide a comparative demographic account of parenthood trajectories among same- and different-sex couples across the Nordic countries. Using longitudinal population register data from Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden (1990–2021), the postdoc will study who becomes a parent and which micro- and macro-level factors explain these patterns. The project focuses on how parenthood trajectories—defined by the occurrence, timing, and sequence of becoming a parent and having additional children—vary across couple types, cohorts, and policy contexts.

Examples of research questions include:
• How do parenthood trajectories differ between male same-sex, female same-sex, and different-sex couples (across the Nordic countries)?
• Which (socio)demographic factors (e.g., education, income, migrant background) shape parenthood trajectories within and across countries?
• How have these trajectories changed across time and cohorts?
• How do legal and policy changes related to same-sex family rights influence parenthood outcomes, and do effects differ by gender and couple type?

The postdoc will work with large-scale register data and apply advanced quantitative methods. Together with the PI and a PhD candidate, the postdoc will be involved in the design and data collection of the project’s survey. Within the broader aims of the project, the postdoc will have scope to develop and pursue their own research questions using these data.

Beyond its academic contribution, this work has clear societal and policy relevance. The findings will support debates on equal access to parenthood and the role of institutions and policies in shaping family formation. Results will be communicated to academic and policy audiences through publications, presentations, and stakeholder-oriented outputs.

The position offers close collaboration with the PI and international partners, including opportunities to undertake a research visit abroad. It also offers good training and career development opportunities and a strong basis for a research career in demography, sociology, and family policy research.

What you will be doing

The postdoctoral researcher is expected to publish several articles based on the project’s research in international academic journals. They will carry out advanced research as part of an international and engaged research team. The postdoc will contribute to the project’s data collection and will have the opportunity to undertake a research visit abroad. The researcher will also participate in and attend national and international scientific meetings.

What you will be contributing

•    A PhD degree in sociology, demography, economics, (social) geography, or another relevant social science.
•    A demonstrated background in quantitative data analyses, including well-developed skills in statistical methods and advanced use of data analysis software (e.g., STATA).
•    Excellent knowledge of English. Knowledge of Dutch is a plus.  
•    Excellent presenting and writing skills.
•    A good publication record.

What do we offer?

The Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI) is a leading European demographic research institute. NIDI is part of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and affiliated with the University of Groningen. It is located in the center of The Hague providing a unique and stimulating research environment in the broad field of population studies. The institute currently employs about 65 staff members of different levels of seniority and organized in a rather horizontal structure within four thematic research groups. The working environment is highly international and NIDI provides ample opportunities for training and development.

Your workplace 

The work climate is based on mutual respect, openness, and collaboration. The institute consists of about 80 employees of different levels of seniority.

NIDI comprises five thematic groups: (1) Families & gender, (2) Migrants & migration, (3) Demographic change and the labour market, (4) Health, ageing and mortality, (5) Data infrastructure and open science. Each group has approximately 10-15 members. 

More information

For additional information you may contact Maaike van der Vleuten (vleuten[at]nidi.nl). 

Application procedure

Candidates are invited to submit their application in English. Applications must include, in a single PDF file:

•    Letter of motivation. 
•    Curriculum vitae
•    List of publications
•    Two references
•    PDF of one published or submitted paper.

The deadline for submitting your application is May 5, 2026. Please address your application to the project supervisor, dr. M. van der Vleuten

Over het NIDI
Het Nederlands Interdisciplinair Demografisch Instituut (NIDI) is een toonaangevend Europees instituut voor demografisch onderzoek. Het NIDI is onderdeel van de Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen (KNAW) en gelieerd aan de Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (RUG). Het NIDI is gelegen in het centrum van Den Haag en biedt een unieke en stimulerende onderzoeksomgeving op het brede terrein van bevolkingsonderzoek. Momenteel bestaat het personeel van het instituut uit ongeveer 65 medewerkers met verschillende niveaus van anciënniteit en georganiseerd in een nogal horizontale structuur binnen vijf thematische onderzoeksgroepen. De werkomgeving is zeer internationaal en het NIDI biedt volop mogelijkheden voor opleiding en ontwikkeling.

Arbeidsvoorwaarden
Het salaris bedraagt afhankelijk van opleiding en ervaring minimaal 3.546 en maximaal 5.538 bruto per maand bij een full time dienstverband (schaal 10 cao Nederlandse Universiteiten/KNAW) . Dit is exclusief 8% vakantiegeld, 8,3% eindejaarsuitkering, reiskostenvergoeding, internet- en thuiswerkvergoeding en pensioenopbouw bij het ABP.

De KNAW biedt haar medewerkers een uitstekend pakket aan secundaire arbeidsvoorwaarden. Een pakket dat voorziet in de verschillende behoeften die medewerkers afhankelijk van hun levensfase, levenswijze of loopbaanambities hebben. Zo is het mogelijk om door wekelijks twee uur per week extra te werken het aantal vakantiedagen van 29 tot 41 dagen per jaar (bij fulltime dienstverband) uit te breiden.

Voor een volledig overzicht van de arbeidsvoorwaarden wordt verwezen naar de webpagina: werken bij de KNAW.

Het aanvragen van een VOG kan onderdeel uitmaken van de indiensttredingsprocedure.

Diversiteit & Inclusie
De KNAW acht een werkomgeving waarin iedereen zich welkom en gewaardeerd voelt van groot belang. Een werkomgeving waarin aandacht is voor individuele kwaliteit en waar ontwikkelmogelijkheden voorop staan. Samen streven we naar een inclusieve cultuur waarin we verschillen omarmen. We nodigen dan ook graag kandidaten uit die door hun achtergrond en ervaring hieraan een bijdrage willen leveren. Bij gelijke geschiktheid gaat de voorkeur uit naar de kandidaat die de diversiteit binnen de KNAW op deze wijze versterkt.

Acquisitie naar aanleiding van deze advertentie wordt niet op prijs gesteld.