Two PhD candidates in the politics of family migration

Are you interested in researching political struggles over immigration? Do you want to work at the crossroads of migration studies and gender & sexuality studies? Is it your ambition to become an accomplished social scientist?   

The Department of Political Science is looking for two PhD candidates to work within the ‘Strange(r) Families’ project, funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) and led by Saskia Bonjour. The PhD track is part of the Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research (AISSR)programme group Challenges to Democratic Representation.

What will you be doing?

The ‘Strange(r) Families’ project explores political contestation over family migration rights for non-normative families in Europe. How do migration law and politics deal with different kinds of families asking permission to live together in Europe? The research will cover political contestation not only in parliaments and ministries but also in the media, civil society, and courts. The first PhD project will focus on contestation over family migration rights for ‘queer’ families, the second on contestation over family migration rights for ‘culturally different’ families. Both projects will cover two European countries (preferably the Netherlands and France). Further information about the research project may be found here.

You will:

  • be affiliated with the AISSR’s organized PhD training. The academic work is to result in a doctoral thesis that will be defended at the Faculty of Social Sciences with a view to obtaining the degree of PhD;
  • conduct archive and document research as well as interviews;
  • take active part in the research environment at the AISSR;
  • teach (circa 10% of the time) upon availability.

Requirements

You have the following credentials.

Essential:

  • A Master’s degree or equivalent with a relevant specialization within the social sciences e.g. political science, political sociology, or sociology of law. The degree must have been obtained by the start of your employment;
  • excellent oral and written communication skills in English;
  • familiarity with or keen interest in qualitative research methods, such as discourse analysis or framing analysis
  • independent thinking and critical analytical skills;
  • the ability to work relatively independently;
  • the ability to collaborate in a team.

Desirable:

  • Expertise in or affinity with migration studies, ethnic and racial studies, or postcolonial studies;
  • expertise in or affinity with gender and sexuality studies;
  • ability to collect and analyse data in both Dutch and French.

What can we offer you?

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

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.

Further information

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

Would you like to learn more about working at the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences (FMG)? Visit our website.

Appointment

The position concerns a temporary appointment of 38 hours per week for a maximum term of four years. The initial appointment is for one year, preferably starting on 1 March 2020. 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.

Your salary will be €2,325 gross per month in the first year and will increase to €2,972 in the fourth and final year, based on full-time employment 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%.

Job application

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.

Does this profile sound like you? If so, we are eager to receive your CV and covering letter.

You can apply online by clicking on the link below.

The deadline for applications is 29 September 2019. Among the applicants, a selected number of candidates will be invited to submit a draft project proposal by 27 October 2019. Interviews will take place on 28 and 29 November 2019. #LI-DNP