Job Radboud University Nijmegen - PhD student for Borders, Leisure and Unfamiliarity

This position is part of the research project called ‘Unfamiliarity as Signs of European Times: scrutinizing historical representations of otherness and contemporary daily practices in border regions’. Seven European universities cooperate in this project which is funded by the European Science Foundation. Under the umbrella of the overall program, the aim of the project is to trace the effects of changing historical representations of unfamiliarity on leisure activities in general and shopping practices in particular. The focus of the project will be on the Dutch-German borderland and the Polish borders with Germany and Eastern European countries. In this way the project aims to contributes to a better understanding of the processes taking place in border regions leading to increasing integration and/or fragmentation. The project goal is to further insight into the interplay between contemporary practices (especially in a socio-spatial sense) and historically grounded representations (especially in the socio-psychological sense).

You should have a relevant Master's degree, preferably with a background in spatial studies, human geography, border studies, history, sociology and/or anthropology. You are expected to have a strong interest in, and have experience with, carrying out spatial research, as well as with liaising with social sciences and humanities in general. A good grasp of the English language is mandatory; basic knowledge of Dutch and German is preferred.

You will be appointed conditionally as a PhD student (1.0 FTE) for a period of 18 months. Your performance will be evaluated after 12 months. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended for the remainder of the period.

Strategically located in Europe, Radboud University Nijmegen is one of the leading academic communities in the Netherlands. A place with a personal touch, where top-flight education and research take place on a beautiful green campus in modern buildings with state-of-art facilities.

This position is located both at the Nijmegen Centre for Border Research at the Nijmegen School of Management of Radboud University Nijmegen and at the Urban and Regional Research Centre Utrecht at the Faculty of Geosciences of Utrecht University.

The Nijmegen Centre for Border Research is a research centre within the department of Human Geography of the Nijmegen School of Management and is devoted to the study of national and international borders and border regions. More information: http://www.ru.nl/ncbr

The Urban and Regional Research Centre Utrecht is a research centre within the department of Human Geography and Planning of the Faculty of Geosciences and is devoted to the study of urban and regional change and spatio-temporal practices. More information: http://www.uu.nl/geowetenschappen/uru

Staff members of both research centres participate in international networks, publish in and co-edit renowned international journals, and are engaged in policy development at all spatial levels.

Dr. B.M.R. van der Velde
+31 24 3613034
M.vanderVelde@fm.ru.nl
Dr. B.H.A. Spierings
+ 31 30 2531370
B.Spierings@geo.uu.nl
Radboud University Nijmegen