The EOS project “How inequality kills. Two centuries of social and spatial disparities in all-cause and cause-specific mortality in Belgium (1800-2025)” (INEQKILL) is looking for a doctoral researcher. INEQKILL is a four-year interdisciplinary project funded by FWO (Research Foundation Flanders) and FRNS (Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique) starting in October 2022.
Project background
INEQKILL focuses on a crucial dimension of inequality in society, the disparity in death, coined ‘ultimate inequality’. The project aims at generating new knowledge and insights into the origin and development of inequalities in all-cause and cause-specific mortality in Belgium. It tackles the long-term evolution of mortality inequalities (1800-2025) using an interdisciplinary approach based on expertise from demography, social epidemiology, medical geography and socioeconomic history. INEQKILL addresses the following questions: How have social and spatial differences in cause-specific mortality evolved in the context of rising living standards, improved social security and medical progress? How did these mortality patterns vary according to age, gender and migration status? And which factors can explain these? Besides using Belgium’s rich and unique statistical heritage, the project takes advantage of state-of-the-art geographic information systems and statistical techniques. Integrating micro and macro level data, linking past and present, and engaging with the wider public, INEQKILL embodies a major and original initiative in enhancing our understanding of mortality inequalities in Belgium and beyond.
Job description
The doctoral researcher will be part of the INEQKILL team consisting of coordinator prof. Sylvie Gadeyne (VUB, Interface Demography, https://interfacedemography.be) and principal investigators prof. Isabelle Devos (Ghent University, Quetelet Center, https://research.flw.ugent.be/en/queteletcenter), prof. Thierry Eggerickx and prof. Philippe Bocquier (UCLouvain, Centre de Recherche en Démographie, https://uclouvain.be/fr/instituts-recherche/iacchos/demo) and prof. Sophie Vanwambeke (UCLouvain Earth and Life Institute, https://uclouvain.be/en/research-institutes/eli/elic). Besides the project leaders, the INEQKILL team includes 2 postdoctoral researchers, 6 PhD students and 4 support staff members (including 2 geographers, a data manager and a science communicator).
As a part of this project, the doctoral researcher will conduct quantitative research on internal and international migration-related inequalities in various causes of death among adults (cancer, cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, external causes…) under the supervision of the project coordinators. The aim of the PhD is to identify long-run health inequalities and selectivity in relation to residential history and legal status via statistical, demographic and epidemiologic analyses using 19th and 20th centuries register and census data. The findings should result in publications in scientific journals and in the submission of a joint doctoral dissertation in the Social Sciences and in Demography. The candidate will join Prof. Sylvie Gadeyne’s research team at Interface Demography of the Sociology Department at the VUB and Philippe Bocquier’s team at the Centre de Recherche en Démographie of the UCLouvain. The candidate will be expected to interact closely and constructively with all team members.
Profile
- Holder of a Master’s degree in sociology, demography or history or related social science. Last year students are encouraged to apply, on the condition that they obtain their MA-degree before the start of the scholarship, i.e. 1st October 2022.
- Commitment to high quality academic research
- Experience and/or interest in epidemiological research and a passion for the “social inequality” theme
- Sound knowledge of and/or experience with quantitative research methods and data analysis
- Hold a good command of English and French and/or Dutch.
- Ability to conduct research independently and collaboratively.
Offer
- Full-time appointment up to 48 months. The successful candidate will receive a one-year contract which will be prolonged after satisfactory performance in the first year. Preferred starting date: 1st January 2023.
- Additional benefits include health insurance, home-work commuting (public transport, bicycle allowance), eco-cheques, and 35 vacation days per year.
- High-quality academic environment.
- Challenging research with great societal and scientific relevance.
Research groups
As a doctoral researcher you will be affiliated to Interface Demography (VUB) and the Centre de recherche en démographie (UCLouvain).
How to apply?
Apply before the 18th of October 2022 to philippe.bocquier@uclouvain.be with the following pdf-documents in the attachment:
- a motivational letter
- your curriculum vitae
- a copy of your master thesis and a list of your marks
- the names and contact details of three references
The applicants will be informed by the 25th of October 2022 whether they are invited to the interview. Provisional dates for the interview are 7th or 8th November 2022.
Prof. Philippe Bocquier
Centre de recherche en démographie, Institut IACCHOS
Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain)
Place Montesquieu 1/L2.08.03
1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
+32 10 47 41 83
For further enquiries, please contact Philippe Bocquier by e-mail or phone.
