Are you interested in doing ethnographically informed research that contributes to understanding social dynamics in Europe? Is it your ambition to become a top-tier researcher?


The Department of Anthropology is looking for a PhD candidate who will participate in the NWA funded consortium “Re/Presenting Europe: Popular Representations of Diversity and Belonging.” The consortium aims to investigate how social scientists and humanity scholars working in close cooperation with Community Based Organization, schools and welfare organizations, organic intellectuals, and artists, produce more nuanced and truthful knowledge about the many “othered” or rather historically “blackened peoples” that have shaped Europe for centuries. In the project we seek to address the historical impact of the Dutch and European colonial past on these othered populations and create representations that build more inclusive futures. “Re/Presenting Europe” brings together sub-projects in education and research from postcolonial and globalising perspectives as well as urban arts, hip hop, and sports.

The PhD candidate will be a member of the “Exploring Diversity: critical ethnographies of belonging and exclusion” research program of the Anthropology Department of the University of Amsterdam. For a detailed program description of “Re/Presenting Europe” click on this link. For “Exploring Diversity” do so here.

What are you going to do

Your task as PhD candidate will be to conduct multi-sited ethnographic fieldwork on the emancipatory knowledge-practices developed by the historically ‘blackened peoples’ in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Hexagon and its overseas departments and communes in the Caribbean, and the United Kingdom and its British Overseas Territories in the West Indies.

You will:

  • participate in the research cluster “Braided Solidarities” within the NWA project “Re/Presenting Europe: Popular Representations of Diversity and Belonging”;
  • engage with the other researchers that form part of the consortium;
  • do multi-sited ethnographic fieldwork on mainland Europe and the Caribbean;
  • follow the assigned courses in the PhD programme;
  • write a PhD thesis based on your research;
  • contribute to workshops, seminars, and other events that showcase “Re/presenting Europe”;
  • participate in the activities of the programme group.

What do you have to offer

The ideal candidate for this position:

  • is in possession of Master’s degree in Anthropology or a related discipline;
  • has experience in conducting fieldwork in Europe and/or the Caribbean;
  • is fluent in Dutch and English, and has working command of French;
  • has excellent writing skills;
  • is a team worker who is willing to study with Community Based Organization doing emancipatory work among the “blackened populations” of Europe;
  • is driven and disciplined;
  • can handle critical feedback and is able to work under stress and situations of duress;
  • is able and willing to work with fellow anthropologists and contribute to the profile of the programme group.

Candidates who have experience with multimodal production and output are strongly encouraged to apply. In addition, the ability to speak a creole language is considered a plus.

What can we offer you

The position concerns temporary employment of 38 hours per week. Preferred starting date is 1 January 2023. The initial employment is for one year, with a probationary period of two months. Following a positive assessment and barring altered circumstances, this term will be extended by a maximum of 36 months, which should result in the conferral of a doctorate. We will put together a curriculum which will also include the opportunity to attend training courses and both national and international events. You will also be tasked with teaching Bachelor’s students. For this position the University Job Classification profile “promovendus” applies. 

Your salary will be €2541 gross per month in the first year and will increase to €3247 in the final year, based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week and in keeping with the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities. We additionally offer an extensive package of secondary benefits, including 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.

The UvA offers excellent possibilities for further professional development and education.

What else do we offer

  • a position in which initiative and input are highly valued;
  • an enthusiastic and warm team that is open to new colleagues;
  • an inspiring academic and international working environment in the heart of Amsterdam.

About us

The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest spectrum of degree programmes. It is an intellectual hub with 39,000 students, 6,000 employees and 3,000 doctoral students who are all committed to a culture of inquiring minds.

About the faculty

A challenging work environment with a variety of duties and ample scope for individual initiative and development within an inspiring organization. The social and behavioral sciences play a leading role in addressing the major societal challenges faced by the world, the Netherlands and Amsterdam, now and in the future.


Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

Questions

Do you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact:

Job application

Do you recognize yourself in the job profile? Then we look forward to receiving your application by 23 October 2022. You may apply online by using the link below.

Applications in one single bundled .pdf should include:

  • a curriculum vitae;
  • a letter of motivation;
  • contact information for two academic references (no letters of recommendation).

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritize diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.



If you encounter Error GBB451/ GBC451, reach out to our HR Department directly. They will gladly help you continue your application.

No agencies please.

Apply now »

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