SOLiDi consortium & University of Humanistic Studies.
SOLiDi receives funding from the EU Framework Programme for research and innovation Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Innovative Training Network (ITN) - Grant Agreement No 956919.
The SOLiDi consortium and the University of Humanistic Studies are looking for a talented and motivated researcher to join the International Training Network and write a PhD on solidarity in diversity.

A European Training Network on promoting solidarities across ethnic-cultural boundaries
The rise of national populism and far-right parties in Europe poses a big threat to all forms of solidarity, especially solidarity between members of various ethnic-cultural groups. European democracies should therefore identify the conditions that can encourage and promote solidarity in diversity, taking into account the social inequalities and unequal positions of power between various groups. The EU-funded SOLiDi project has developed a training and research program to train 15 PhD researchers in relevant theories, research methods and ethics in the fields of sociology, human geography and educational sciences. The training and research program will also focus on paradigms of social change, studying how scientific insights on solidarity in diversity can be applied in different policy contexts and organisations. Ultimately, the project will provide professionals and institutions with insights and instruments for building cohesive European societies. SOLiDi is a consortium consisting of 10 universities and 23 non-academic organisations.

Description of the research project
Scientific objectives
Social workers are increasingly confronted with culturally inspired (risk of) family violence in families of migrant background. This project studies social workers’ encounters with these harmful gender and sexuality related practices, the moral dilemmas these create for professionals and clients and professionals’ actual interventions. Research methods include case file analysis and in-depth study of ten cases in two Dutch neighborhoods. The aim is to improve the quality of intervention in these harmful practices.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• You perform independently scientific research within a collaborative international research consortium.
• You deliver written reports of your research on a regular basis.
• You prepare a doctoral thesis on the topic of solidarity in diversity.
• You publish scientific articles related to the research project.
• You support the valorization of research results into tangible deliverables.
• You participate in, and contribute to, scientific meetings and conferences, presenting your research to the scientific community.
• You actively participate in outreach activities aimed at promoting your research to a wider audience.
• You collaborate with the other members of the consortium to advance your research and training.
• You participate in the tailor-made training programme.
• The selected candidate will take part in the following planned secondment: academic secondment to the University of Durham (UK) and non-academic secondment in Pharos Expertise Center Health differences and Focal Point Female Genital Mutilation (The Netherlands).

• You hold a master degree in Sociology, Anthropology, Geography and/or Philosophy.
• You obtained outstanding academic results.
• You are interested in interdisciplinary, theory-oriented empirical research and have strong analytical skills.
• You are a team player and are sensitive to diversity.
• You have strong communication skills.
• Language proficiency: English (C1 level minimum) is expected; knowledge of Dutch (B2 level or more) is desirable; and knowledge of a native language of Dutch people of migrant background is considered a merit.
• Your academic qualities comply with the requirements for the UvH Graduate School.

Specific PHD enrolment requirements at host institution:

• Participation in the Graduate School.
• The PhD student is expected to do some teaching.
• Applicants can be of any nationality, but have to comply with the “Mobility Rule”: H2020 MSCA Mobility Rule: researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the host organisation for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the recruitment date. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not taken into account.
• H2020 MSCA ESR eligibility criteria: Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) must be, at the date of recruitment by the host organisation, in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research careers and have not been awarded a doctoral degree. Full-Time Equivalent Research Experience is measured from the date when the researcher obtained the degree entitling him/her to embark on a doctorate (either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the researcher is recruited, even if a doctorate was never started or envisaged).
• Candidates may apply for up to three ESR positions in the SOLiDi project, but should mention explicitly the other ESR positions for which they apply in their personal statement.

Fixed-term contract: 36 months. The host institution, in line with the national and university regulation about regular PhD duration, may provide additional funding for a maximum of 12 months in order to complete a doctoral degree.

• The selected candidate will be employed by the host organisation. The guaranteed PhD funding is for 36 months (i.e. EC funding). The host institution, in line with the national and university regulation about regular PhD duration, may provide additional funding for a maximum of 12 months in order to complete a doctoral degree.
• A competitive salary, plus mobility and family allowances. Moreover, funding is available for technical and personal skills training and participation in international research events.
• The selected candidate will benefit from the designed training programme offered by the host organisation and the SOLiDi consortium.
• The selected candidate will participate in international secondments to other organisations within the SOLiDi network and in outreach activities targeted at a wide audience.

Please, find additional information in the Information note for Marie Skłodowska-Curie ITN fellows

University of Humanistic Studies and Durham University

The University of Humanistic Studies is an independent, government-funded university that is inspired by the worldviews and traditions of humanism. The research focuses on public problems with a normative component, oriented towards building humane societies in which all people can lead meaningful lives. The University is located in a historic building in the centre of Utrecht. The university's small scale creates a personal working and study atmosphere.  
Durham University is a centre for research and teaching excellence in the historic city of Durham, N.E England. Founded in 1928, the Department of Geography is one of the leading centres of geographical research in the world. The Department has a vibrant community of over a hundred postgraduates and aims to develop a range of high-level research, analytic, and communication skills that are transferable to multiple career paths.