PhD Position in Sociology on “Contested Epistemologies of Sustainability”

Are you passionate about the topic of climate change and sustainability from a sociological perspective? Do you like to traverse and embed yourself in cultural worlds different from your own? Are you interested in ethnographic research and able to create your own independent research track in a larger research project? Then this position may be yours.

The Department of Sociology at the University of Amsterdam is currently looking for a PhD candidate in the project “Contested Epistemologies of Sustainability”, led by Dr Catherine Wong and Dr Jaron Harambam. In this project, we examine how climate change and the foundational ways of knowing are contested in two radically different contexts: indigenous communities in South/Southeast Asia and conspiratorial communities in Europe. Both communities challenge hegemonic “Western” epistemologies of sustainability, albeit in their own specific ways. Your project will explore and compare both communities under this broad umbrella of contested epistemologies, but with plenty of room for your own ideas and innovation in who and what you would like to study. Here your creativity comes in and we like to foster that from the start. The overall goal of this project is twofold: to understand the resistance towards hegemonic climate change and sustainability discourses, and to learn from different epistemological and cultural standpoints that oppose them.

The project is hosted by the research groupCultural Sociology and more information on the project itself can be found here.

What are you going to do

For this four-year long fully funded position, you will perform a number of different tasks:

• design your own PhD research project within the theme of contested epistemologies of sustainability;
• conduct qualitative research / ethnographic fieldwork in indigenous communities in South/Southeast Asia and in conspiratorial communities in Europe;
• write academic articles with the two P.I.’s and independently;
• present your work to academic, professional and lay audiences;
• teach in our undergraduate (Bachelor) Sociology program (max. 10% of your time);
• assist with administrative and organizational tasks within the project;
• actively participate in the academic communities of the Program Group (Cultural Sociology), department (Sociology) and research school (AISSR).

What do you have to offer

Our ideal candidate is driven by their own curiosity to understand more about the world, without projecting their own worldview on others. We are looking for someone who is creative and ambitious yet down-to-earth. Being able to relate to different kinds of people is essential. You should be able to work in different locations across the world, while having your base in Amsterdam. We are looking for a hands-on person who can organize their own research projects independently and able to work in a team. Most importantly, we hope to find someone who has an open mind, who is willing to learn from others, able to think deeply about issues and who can surprise us with novel insights.

The following qualifications are essential:

• a Master’s degree or equivalent in Sociology, or in the adjacent Social Sciences such as Anthropology and Science & Technology Studies. The degree must have been obtained before the employment starting date;
• affinity and experience with doing ethnographic and/or qualitative research methods;
• interest in sustainability, climate change policy, politics, and epistemologies.
• excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

The following qualifications are desirable:

• affinity and experience with research on (the epistemologies of) indigenous communities in South-East Asia;
• affinity and experience with research on (the epistemologies of) conspiratorial communities in Europe.

What can we offer you

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 preferably 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. 

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 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. The UvA offers excellent possibilities for further professional development and education.

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

The Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences strives for and puts conscious efforts into having a work and academic environment that is inclusive. We commit to providing the grounds for equal treatment and empowering you to become a full participating member of our academic community, regardless of your background, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability and/or age. We especially invite members from historically disadvantaged and under-represented groups to apply.

If this vacancy speaks to you, but you are uncertain whether you meet all requirements, please do apply. Given the department’s commitment to diversity, we strongly encourage applications from all qualified candidates, and specifically from people with backgrounds underrepresented in academia.

Please submit your application no later 12 May 2024. You may apply online by using the link below.

Applications should be submitted as one bundled .pdf that includes:

• a two-page CV detailing your education and work/research experience;
• a two-page Motivation Letter outlining your desire and qualifications to pursue a PhD in this project;
• undergraduate and graduate transcripts (grades);
• the contact details of two academic references.

Please upload this package as a single PDF on the next page in the ‘CV’ box.

Additional materials such as recommendation letters, writing samples, and a short PhD proposal will be requested only for short-listed candidates. Please do NOT send these materials with the initial application. The committee expects interviews to take place in the week of 27 June 2024.

Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered.

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritise 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.

No agencies please.

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