We are looking for a highly motivated PhD-candidate who considers it a challenge to conduct PhD research on cultural literacy in everyday urban life (cf. project description below) as part of the Erasmus Initiative Vital Cities and Citizens and the Erasmus Research Centre of for Media, Communication and Culture.

Research duties (80%)

Conducting PhD research within the framework of the Erasmus Initiative Vital Cities and Citizens, specifically the project “Cultural Literacy in Everyday Urban Life”.

• Contributing to the data-collection and data-analysis;
• Publishing and presenting research results in the form of articles in international peer reviewed journals and papers at international conferences;
• Performing organizational tasks, such as assisting in the organisation of workshops and other knowledge utilisation activities;
• Writing a dissertation and defending the dissertation to complete the doctoral degree;
• Participating in project meetings, conferences, seminars, etc. organised by the Erasmus Initiative Vital Cities and Citizens and ERMeCC as well as the research schools and scholarly associations of which ERMeCC is part. 

 Teaching duties (20%)

• Preparing and teaching classes within the context of the various degree programmes in the field of Media and Communication provided by the ESHCC;
• Supervising and coaching students;
• Pointing out possible improvements and integrating them into teaching methods and/or the content of the classes given;
• Contributing to the evaluation of teaching, both in terms of structure and execution;
• Participating in committees or working groups, as well as performing designated organisational tasks.

• A master’s degree in one of the social sciences or humanities, preferably a research master’s degree;
• Wide ranging knowledge of state-of-the-art theory and research in media studies and cultural sociology, and a proven interest in issues of diversity, (inter)cultural literacy, cultural consumption, media use, and cultural education.
• A strong academic track-record.
• A solid background in both qualitative and quantitative methods of social scientific research is required as evidenced by the master’s thesis, publications, research plans, and other projects;
• Strong social skills including a profound willingness to collaborate and to take initiative;
• Didactic potential. Teaching experience is considered an advantage;
• A willingness to develop knowledge and skills in various disciplines and to increase the ability to teach a wide range of subjects within the faculty’s degree programme;
• Organisational experience and skills;
• Proficiency in spoken and written English. Candidates should meet the C1-standards of the Common European Framework (CEF);
• Proficiency in spoken and written Dutch is required; candidates should meet the C1-standards of of the Common European Framework (CEF).

Employment starts in September, 2017. The initial contract will be running for a term of 1.5 years, which - depending on performance – will be extended with a second term of 2.5 years.

The conditions of employment correspond with the “CAO Nederlandse Universiteiten” (CAO NU).

For the job of PhD Candidate (Promovendus) the salary starts at € 2.222,- gross per month on a 38 hour per week contract in the first year, which will increase annually up to a maximum of € 2.840,- gross per month on a 38 hour per week contract in the fourth year (Grade P).

The EUR has attractive employment conditions, which include a holiday allowance of 8.0%, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3% and 41 annual vacation days in case of a full workweek. 

The expertise of Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) is concentrated in the fields of Business Administration, Economics, Medicine and Health Sciences, Law, Psychology, Pedagogical and Educational Sciences, Sociology, Public Administration, History, Arts and Culture, Media and Communication, Philosophy, and International Development Studies. In addition to the initial degree programmes and scientific research, the University offers specific postgraduate study programmes and courses. Erasmus University has around 25,000 students and some 2,500 staff members.

Erasmus Initiative Vital Cities and Citizens

The Erasmus University has recently launched three so-called Erasmus Initiatives, through which academic excellence and multidisciplinary collaboration in research is stimulated. One of these is the Vital Cities and Citizens project which aims (1) to advance our understanding of the ways in which social and cultural transformations affect urban life - and (2) by doing so – to help cities thrive as places of inclusion, tolerance and cohesion, and better articulate the aspirations of their diverse citizens. The Erasmus Initiative Vital Cities and Citizens is a collaboration between the Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS), the Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication (ESHCC), and the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS).

Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication (ESHCC)
The Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication  includes the Departments of Media and Communication, Arts and Culture Studies, and History at Erasmus University. The ESHCC is home to more than 1.100 students and around 130 faculty and staff members.

Erasmus Research Centre for Media, Communication and Culture (ERMeCC)

The Erasmus Research Centre for Media, Communication and Culture (ERMeCC) is a vibrant, internationally oriented research centre within the Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication, which serves as the main base for researchers in Media, Communication and Culture at Erasmus.