PhD Researcher in Communities of Arms

3 weken geleden


Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd
About the Project

The ERC project 'Making Sense of Communities of Arms' is a five-year research initiative that aims to establish a new research agenda centered around the firearm as a sensational actant that shapes everyday practices and relations, creates divergent communities, and (re)produces power structures within local and global spheres.

The project focuses on an ethnographic analysis of the everyday deployment of firearms and their societal impact, examining and comparing the various ways firearms produce communities and focusing on groups that are overlooked in the field of gun studies, such as gun owners' associations and hunting clubs.

Research Questions

The project members are guided by the following research question: 'How do firearms produce communities, how do these communities relate to one another, and what is their societal impact?' This question will be answered through a comparative and multiscalar analysis of such communities and their members in Brazil, Germany, and South Africa, and global communities, such as international disarmament organisations.

PhD Researcher Role

We seek three PhD candidates who have the necessary research experience and language skills to conduct one of the subprojects in Brazil, South Africa, and Germany.

Tasks for each PhD candidate:

  • Conduct ethnographic fieldwork in one of the field sites for at least 9 months.
  • Write and submit a PhD dissertation, and submit at least one peer-reviewed journal article for publication, within four years.
  • Use and experiment with multisensorial research methods to contribute to the creation of a multisensorial toolkit and public outreach activities.
  • Participate in the meetings and proceedings of the project and the wider activities of the Department of Cultural Anthropology's Sovereignty and Social Contestation research programme.
  • Present and share research results in (international) conferences.
  • Collaborate with team members in comparing data of different field sites and engaging in 'team ethnography'.
  • Co-organize academic events related to the project, such as workshops and public events.
Requirements

We are looking for motivated, collaborative, and flexible team members who are also able to work independently and contribute to the broader team project.

Requirements include:

  • MA degree in anthropology or a related discipline; preferably affinity with political anthropology.
  • Demonstrable relevant experience with ethnographic research, ideally in one of the locations (Brazil, Germany, or South Africa).
  • Experience with multimodal anthropological methods (visual, sensorial, etc.) is appreciated.
  • Curiosity towards methodology and willingness to experiment with new methods.
  • Well-developed analytical and writing skills.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and one of the languages necessary to conduct the case study, such as Portuguese and German.
Our Offer

We offer:

  • A position for one year - after a positive evaluation, it will be extended for three more years.
  • A working week of 38 hours and a gross monthly salary between €2,872 in the first year to €3,670 in the fourth year in case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU)).
  • 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus.
  • A pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.
About Us

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences, and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences is one of the leading faculties in Europe providing research and academic teaching in cultural anthropology, educational sciences, interdisciplinary social science, pedagogical sciences, psychology, and sociology. Almost 7,000 students are enrolled in a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programmes. The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences has some 1,100 faculty and staff members, all providing their individual contribution to the training and education of young talent and to the research into and finding solutions for scientific and societal issues.

You will be based at the department of Cultural Anthropology. The project will be in the department's Sovereignty and Social Contestation Research Programme. The research programme addresses the interaction between power, authority, and legitimacy, which it seeks to connect with social movements, protest, and conflict.

More Information

For more information, please contact Evan Blake at e.blake@uu.nl.

Please note that international candidates that need a visa/work permit for the Netherlands require at least four months processing time after selection and acceptance. Our International Service Desk (ISD) can answer your questions about living in the Netherlands as international staff. Finding appropriate housing in or near Utrecht is your own responsibility, but the ISD may be able to advise you therewith. In case of general questions about working and living in The Netherlands, please consult the Dutch Mobility Portal.

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.

Apply Now

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and identities, including cultural, religious, or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.

To apply, please send the following documentation via the 'apply now' button:

  • Your motivation letter.
  • Your CV, with two references.
  • A brief research idea (max. 1,000 words). In this research idea, you should explain how you would design and develop one of the case studies, considering the overall project description, as well as your own expertise, experience, and intellectual interests. For the research idea, we expect you to consult the overall project description. You may obtain a copy by writing to our project manager, Evan Blake, at e.blake@uu.nl.

Interviews will take place in the second week of December. Our preferred start date is 1 April 2025 with some flexibility for international candidates who will require visas.



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