Postdoctoral Associate in Social Stratification and Educational Inequality
Collaborative research position exploring global educational inequalities and school segregation in the Global South.
Best for:Best for early-career sociologists, demographers, or economists with strong quantitative skills in R, Stata, or Python and a focus on global education policy.
Overview
This postdoctoral position at NYU Abu Dhabi focuses on investigating educational inequalities and social stratification, particularly in the Global South. The successful candidate will split their time between independent research and collaborative work with Professor Luca Maria Pesando, analyzing large-scale datasets such as household surveys, censuses, and educational assessments. The project aims to quantify global variations in learning inequality and school segregation, linking these factors to economic development, gender inequality, and institutional frameworks. The role is ideal for researchers with expertise in sociodemographic analysis, quantitative methods, and a passion for policy-relevant scholarship.
What you'll do
- Conduct independent research on educational inequalities and social stratification in the Global South, focusing on learning disparities and school segregation.
- Collaborate with Professor Luca Maria Pesando on a project quantifying global variations in learning inequality and its relationship with economic development, gender inequality, and institutional frameworks.
- Analyze large-scale datasets, including household surveys, censuses, and educational assessments, using tools such as R, Stata, Python, and GIS.
- Publish findings in high-impact academic journals and present research at conferences.
- Engage with a vibrant community of over 20 postdoctoral fellows and 70 faculty members in the Division of Social Science.
- Optionally participate in teaching activities for compensation, though teaching is not a core responsibility.
Requirements
Degree required: PhD in sociology, demography, international development, public policy, economics, or a closely related field, obtained within the last 5 years or expected shortly thereafter.
Language: English; proficiency sufficient for academic research and publication.
Instruction: English
- Expertise in analyzing large-scale datasets such as household surveys, censuses, and educational assessments.
- Proficiency in data analysis tools including R, Stata, Python, and GIS.
- Strong quantitative research skills and familiarity with academic writing and publishing.
- Interest in global sociology, demography, international education, and economic development.
- Ability to handle and process large volumes of data efficiently.
- PhD must have been awarded within the last 5 years or be expected shortly thereafter.
- No restrictions on nationality or residency.
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2027-01-15
Applicants must submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae with a full publication list and contact details for at least two referees, and a writing sample. Letters of reference will be requested for shortlisted candidates only.
- Cover letter
- Curriculum vitae with full publication list
- Contact details for at least two referees
- Writing sample
Contact
Luca Maria Pesando· Professor
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