Postdocs

Postdocs ERC Consolidator project ‘Africa @work, Transformation in Employment 1920-2020’

Post-doc Researcher

Postdocs ERC Consolidator project ‘Africa @work, Transformation in Employment 1920-2020’

Within the Department of Economics, Econometrics and Finance, Faculty of Economics and Business we are looking for 2 postdoctoral researchers (2 FTE, 48 months each). The postdoctoral researchers will work within the ERC Consolidator project ‘Africa @work, Transformation in Employment 1920-2020’ .ThisThis ERC project aims to offer the first comprehensive, long-term analysis of employment patterns in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), reconstructing occupational trends by region and gender across 33 countries from 1920 to 2020. It examines how work evolved during key periods of transformation, including colonial agricultural expansion, post-independence state-led development, the Structural Adjustment Programs of the 1980s, and economic growth from 1995 to 2015. Key questions include: Why are agricultural jobs increasing in SSA while declining in other world regions? Why is the SSA informal sector disproportionately large, especially for women, who are 14 percentage points more likely than men to hold informal jobs? And to what extent can jobs in the expanding service sector provide a pathway out of poverty?

By linking colonial and post-independence employment patterns, this project will uncover how economic transformations shaped informality, gender inequality, and stratification in the labour market. It also explores changes in work quality and social mobility, aiming to identify barriers and opportunities for structural transformation.

Postdocs ERC Consolidator project ‘Africa @work, Transformation in Employment 1920-2020’

What are you going to do?

Postdoctoral Researcher position 1

Project 1 aims to examine agricultural transformation and long-term labour dynamics in Sub-Saharan Africa during the colonial and post-colonial periods. The project investigates shifts from subsistence to market-oriented agriculture, combining quantitative analysis of census and survey data with qualitative research in colonial archives, including materials on land tenure, labour regulation, and rural economies.

Postdoctoral Researcher position 2

Project 2 aims to examine the relationship between informal work, economic development, and structural transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa. The project investigates whether the expansion of informal employment outside agriculture reflects a response to limited formal job opportunities or includes activities capable of capital accumulation and driving economic change, urban and peri-urban areas and across non-agricultural sectors

University of Groningen

Apply no later than: 3 May 2026 23:59 Dutch local time

€3.546 – €5.538

Who are you?

Postdoc 1 is expected to:

• Have a relevant PhD degree in African Economic History.
• Demonstrated experience working with colonial archives, especially French colonial archives.
• Strong background in rural development and agricultural history, with a focus on West Africa.
• Experience with historical and/or mixed-methods research.
• Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals.
• Knowledge of French is required.
• Enjoy academic writing and have the desire to publish.
• Be able and willing to work in Groningen, in an international and interdisciplinary environment.

Postdoc 2 is expected to:

• Have a relevant PhD degree in African Economic History.
• Demonstrated experience working with colonial archives.
• Experience working labour market and employment data.
• Strong background in labour and structural transformation research.
• Experience with quantitative and/or mixed-methods research.
• Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals.
• Enjoy academic writing and have the desire to publish.
• Be able and willing to work in Groningen, in an international and interdisciplinary environment.

What can you expect from us?

• In accordance with the collective labor agreement for Dutch universities, we offer a salary of at least € 3.546 up to a maximum of € 5.538 (schaal 10) gross per month for a full-time employment contract.
• 232 vacation hours per year, based on a 38-hour workweek (1.0 FTE). You can also work more or fewer hours in exchange for more or fewer free hours. For example, with a 40-hour workweek, you save 96 extra free hours, and with a 36-hour workweek, you lose 96 hours.
• End-of-year bonus of 8.3% and 8% holiday allowance.
• Extensive opportunities for personal and professional development.
• Both positions of 1.0 FTE are for four years. Starting on July 1, 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Where will you be working?

At the University of Groningen (UG), researchers from all fields of academia and technology are working on academic challenges and societal questions. Lecturers prepare their students for meaningful careers within or outside the academic world. Interdisciplinary research and teaching, sharing of knowledge, collaboration with businesses, government institutions, and societal organizations are aspects that are of the utmost importance to this European top university. The UG aims to be an open academic community with an inclusive and safe working climate that invites you to add your value.

Application procedure

Step 1: Your application

After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation by email.

Step 2: Selection

The selection committee assesses your application and you will be notified as soon as possible whether you are invited for an interview.

Step 3: First interview

We would like to get to know each other better in a first interview, which can take place either online or on location.

Step 4: Second interview and possible assessment or guest lecture

We may schedule a second interview with you. Depending on the position, this interview can be complemented with an assessment or guest lecture.

Step 5: Terms of employment meeting

After a positive interview, we will discuss the terms of employment together. When everything is completed, we are happy to welcome you at the University of Groningen!

Interested?

Does this vacancy appeal to you? If so, click on the button below and apply straightaway.

Please add the following documents to your application:

• A motivation letter (including your interest in the topic).
• Your CV.
• A scan of your PhD diploma.
• A writing sample (for example published paper).
• Two reference letters.
• Other relevant documents.