Post-doctoral researcher in Disinformation and European Democracy

Are you doing research on disinformation and its impact on democracy in Europe? Do you have demonstrated experience in working with colleagues from different disciplines and do you have strong organizational skills? And do you see yourself working in an international and interdisciplinary environment at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Maastricht University?

If the answer to those questions is ‘yes’ then we welcome your application.

Our goal:

• Our goal: At Maastricht University and the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences we research and teach about the challenges of contemporary Europe in a globalising world from an interdisciplinary perspective. The process of European integration since 1945 and questions of European democracy, governance, and foreign policy are central to our research agenda. Our researchers study the EU and Europeanisation, yet they also contribute to debates on European society, global order, and take an interest in transnational history.

This position is embedded in the so‑called Disinformation & Democracy sector plan, funded by the Dutch government, which brings together researchers across faculties at Maastricht University (Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences, Law, Psychology & Neuroscience, Business & Economics) to examine how disinformation shapes democratic processes, citizenship, and digital resilience. In addition to your own research agenda, you will play a central, facilitating role in bringing all Maastricht researchers, working on disinformation, together.

Your responsibilities include:

• Conduct independent research relevant to disinformation and democracy under the umbrella of the sector plan, contributing to its goals and deliverables.
• Publish research in high‑quality, peer‑reviewed journals and present findings at international conferences and workshops.
• Contribute to seminars, public events, or policy‑outreach activities (e.g., stakeholder workshops, policy briefs).
• Collaborate closely with other researchers in FASoS (politics and history) and partner faculties (Law, Psychology, Business & Economics).
• Facilitate the organization of cross‑faculty and national collaboration as part of the sector plan. Participate in administrative and organizational tasks related to the sector plan (reporting, funding proposals, coordination).
• Contribute to the teaching in a variety of BA and MA programmes at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, such as the BA and MA programmes in European Studies and the BA programme in Digital Society, and supervise BA and MA theses.

Are you ready to set the course for the years ahead? Then we’d love to meet you.

We’re not looking for check boxes; we’re interested in who you are and what you bring. Do you recognize yourself in this?

• A PhD (or equivalent) in political science, computational social science, digital humanities, or a related social science or humanities discipline, with strong methodological skills (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed).
• A demonstrated research track record, including publications or working papers, ideally in fields such as (online) dis‑/misinformation, democratic theory, political behaviour, political economy, political history, political psychology, political communication, or public policy in Europe.
• Excellent organisational, project management, and coordination skills — ability to manage projects, meet deadlines, and work within a collaborative research environment.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Strong communication skills, with experience in dissemination of research beyond academia (e.g., policy engagement, public events) is a plus.
• A demonstrated interest in interdisciplinary collaboration, especially with legal and humanities scholars, psychologists, data scientists, or others engaged in the Disinformation & Democracy sector plan.

At Maastricht University, you’ll work in an international, open, and engaged environment. We offer:

• A 12‑month contract with the prospect of a 3‑year extension (4‑year in total), based on mutual satisfaction.
• A gross monthly salary between €4,728 and €6,433 (based on full‑time…