Open PhD Position: Multimodal Experimentations in More-Than-Human Anthropology

16 Apr 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

University of Amsterdam (UvA)

Research Field

Cultural studies

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Netherlands

Application Deadline

15 May 2024 - 21:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Not Applicable

Hours Per Week

38.0

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Are you curious about the relations between humans, animals and their environments? Are you interested in exploring how various technologies [of vision] are shaping such relationships amidst global environmental challenges? Do you have affinity or experience with filmmaking, multimodal ethnographic research methods and/or creative modes of storytelling? Do you have an innovative research idea and enjoy working together with a diverse group of committed researchers?

The Department of Anthropology is currently seeking a talented PhD candidate working at the intersection of human-nature relations, (digital) technologies and multimodal methods. This project is funded by combining Starter Grants (Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science) of Dr Martha-Cecilia Dietrich, Dr Ildikó Plájás and Dr Else Vogel.

The Department of Anthropology is part of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences (FMG) at the University of Amsterdam (UvA). The PhD track is part of the Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research (AISSR) programme group ‘Exploring diversity, critical ethnographies on belonging and exclusion ’.

What are you going to do?
This is an open call for applicants to submit proposals for individual research projects addressing ‘more-than-human’ relations involving technological and ecological landscapes, animals, and/or other living entities. While the candidate will develop their own unique research idea, the proposed research project must align with the stated thematic focus (more-than-human relations) and methodological approach (multimodal/experimental). We are interested in projects that approach multi/inter/cross-species collaborations through creative engagements with time, space and/or sensory/affective lifeworlds. We envision this position as a place for methodological experimentation within anthropology and as an invitation to explore various forms of multimodal storytelling.

The aim of this position is for the candidate to contribute to the emerging fields of environmental anthropology and ‘multi-species ethnography’ within the Department of Anthropology, connecting the expertise in visual anthropology and science and technology studies offered by the supervision team.

While the supervisory team has extensive research experience in Western and Eastern Europe and Latin America, we encourage candidates of diverse backgrounds to apply with projects that are situated in other geographic locations as well.

Your tasks:

• you will be a PhD candidate conducting individual ethnographic research on a topic of your choosing;
• you will work with a collaborative supervision team consisting of three senior researchers (the supervisory team) based at the University of Amsterdam;
• you will form part of a larger body of PhD candidates at the Department of Anthropology and the Visual Anthropology research lab;
• your main task will be to develop your own PhD project within the thematic and methodological framework of the call;
• you are expected to live in the Amsterdam area and take an active part in the department and the research environment at the Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research (AISSR);
• teaching (up to 10% of your time) and organisational support for the project (e.g. organizing workshops and seminars) will be part of your job responsibilities. These tasks will allow you to gain valuable professional experience next to working towards your PhD.

Requirements
Specific Requirements

You have:

• a Master’s degree or equivalent with a relevant specialization within the social sciences or (environmental) humanities. Social, Cultural and Visual Anthropology, Human Geography, Sociology and Human-Animal Studies are preferred academic backgrounds. The degree must have been obtained before the employment starting date;
• familiarity with ethnographic research methods;
• training and/or experience in multimodal research designs and creative modes of storytelling (for instance in filmmaking, sound recording, animation, drawing, programming, etc.) attested in your CV (please include access to selected works);
• a well-designed, feasible, innovative research idea combining technology, human-animal relations and multimodal/ audio-visual methods;
• excellent oral and written communication skills in English;
• excellent oral and written communication skills in the country where you will do research;
• independent thinking and critical analytical skills;
• good collaboration skills and the ability to join interdisciplinary academic communities;
• the skills needed to finish the PhD thesis in four years; i.e., independent and pro-active work attitude, good planning and academic writing skills.

You preferably have:

• affinity with STS, multispecies anthropology, visual and multimodal anthropology and decolonial perspectives.

Additional Information
Benefits

The position concerns temporary employment of 38 hours per week for a maximum term of four years. The initial employment is for one year and will start on 1 September 2024. Following a positive assessment and barring altered circumstances, this term will be extended by a maximum of three years, 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 €2,770 gross per month in the first year and will increase to €3,539 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 an 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, input and creativity are highly valued;
• an enthusiastic and warm research community that is open to new colleagues;
• an inspiring academic and international working environment in the heart of Amsterdam;
• excellent infrastructure to conduct your research.

To work at the University of Amsterdam is to work in a discerning, independent, creative, innovative and international climate characterised by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with the city of Amsterdam and society.

Selection process

If this vacancy speaks to you, but you are uncertain whether you meet all requirements, please do get in touch with us or apply. In light of our department’s commitment to a diverse and inclusive working environment, we strongly encourage applications from candidates who come from groups historically disenfranchised by and underrepresented in Dutch academia.

Do you recognize yourself in the job profile? Then we look forward to receiving your application by 15 May 2024. You may apply online by using the link below.

Applications bundeld in one .pdf should include:

• your application letter describing your qualifications and motivation for the position. Please specify which factors have brought you to your present focus of intellectual and scholarly interests (max. 2 pages);
• your Curriculum Vitae including a list of audiovisual works (such as films or other multimodal projects) with access to selected works and a writing sample (e.g. a chapter of your MA thesis);
• a scan of your master’s diploma;
• a proposal outlining your project idea, including research questions and methodology (max. 2 pages);
• contact information for two academic references (no letters of recommendation at this stage).

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview which will be held on 30 May 2024.

Additional comments

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

• Dr Martha-Cecilia Dietrich, [email protected] or Dr Ildikó Plájás, [email protected]

Website for additional job details

https://www.academictransfer.com/340238/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences

Country

Netherlands

City

Amsterdam

Postal Code

1018WV

Street

Nieuwe Achtergracht 166

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.academictransfer.com/en/340238/open-phd-position-multimodal-experim…

Contact

City

Amsterdam

Website

http://www.uva.nl/

Street

Spui 21

Postal Code

1012 WX

STATUS: EXPIRED