"PhD position in migration and environmental memory in Eastern Europe (1.0 FTE)"

Job Summary

This fully funded PhD at the University of Groningen involves an independent research project titled "Where Rivers Speak and Landscapes Remember." The candidate will develop and conduct research under supervision, focusing on how landscapes act as archives of migration, resistance, and survival in Eastern Europe or Western Eurasia. The project uses ethnographic and creative methods, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Designing and conducting fieldwork in selected border regions using ethnographic and creative methodologies, including participant observation, interviews, and engagement with local communities.
• Collecting and analyzing research materials such as poems, oral histories, visual recordings, and community maps, integrating them into scholarly and creative analyses.
• Developing artistic or community-engaged outputs like exhibitions, sound pieces, or participatory mapping to communicate findings.
• Collaborating with academic and non-academic partners for knowledge exchange and public engagement.
• Participating in team activities, including meetings, workshops, and conferences.
• Undertaking academic training and producing publications and a doctoral dissertation within four years.

Qualifications and Requirements

Candidates must have a completed MA or equivalent degree in fields such as anthropology, cultural studies, environmental humanities, or migration studies. Required skills include strong interest in migration and memory, experience in creative or practice-based research, willingness for extended fieldwork, good collaborative skills, and excellent English proficiency. Desirable attributes include knowledge of Eastern Europe and familiarity with documentation tools.

What the Employer Offers

A four-year fixed-term contract at 1.0 FTE, with a salary ranging from €2,901 to €3,707 gross per month, depending on qualifications. Additional benefits include holiday allowance, end-of-year bonus, pension scheme, and opportunities for teaching (0.4 FTE in later years). The position requires relocation to the Netherlands.