The Amsterdam School for Cultural Analysis (ASCA) currently has a vacant PhD position as part of the ERC funded research project Eco-Islam in Indonesia: Media, Institutions, Publics, led by principal investigator dr. Leonie Schmidt. ASCA is one of the five Research Schools within the Amsterdam Institute for Humanities Research (AIHR). ASCA is home to more than 120 scholars and 160 PhD candidates, and is a world-leading international research school in Cultural Analysis. ASCA members share a commitment to working in an interdisciplinary framework and to maintaining a close connection with contemporary cultural and political debates.

What are you going to do
This PhD position is embedded in the ERC-funded research project Eco-Islam in Indonesia: Media, Institutions, Publics. In Indonesia, Islamic ‘green’ pop musicians, eco-YouTube-imams, films, and social media find inspiration in religious scriptures to encourage Muslims to engage in environmental protection. In this project, we map mediated eco-Islam and investigate the Indonesian Islamic eco-cultural approach to climate change. To do so, we focus on different media outlets of eco-discourse (e.g., film, television, popular music, and social media) and we will study three levels. On the level of the institutions (project 1), we explore how an Indonesian Islamic eco-cultural approach to climate change is developed, which eco-theologies underlie its creation, and how adaptable it may be to other national contexts. On the level of texts (project 2), we study how media discourses offer Muslims specific green models of citizenship. On the level of publics (project 3), we study how media audiences and users negotiate, contest or adopt green models of citizenship.

This PhD project focuses on how media audiences and users negotiate, contest or adopt green models of citizenship (project 3). It involves:

• Ethnographic fieldwork in Indonesia in the second and third year. This includes, amongst others, gathering data, networking, rapports, visiting cultural events, participant observation, focus groups, and carrying out formal interviews and informal dialogues with various actors;
• Online ethnography;
• Digital analysis of social media platforms;
• Participation in and organisation of workshops and conferences in which academics and policy-makers, and cultural actors participate.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• Conducting research and completing a PhD thesis within the period of appointment;
• Publishing three peer-reviewed journal articles within the period of appointment;
• Co-editing two volumes with the other team members;
• Setting up and managing project data (while taking into consideration the project’s risk analysis, and complying with its data management plan);
• Participating in project meetings and readings groups;
• Closely collaborating with other members of the research team;
• Assisting with knowledge dissemination and with the organization of project workshops, conferences and creative events;
• Presenting research results at national and international workshops and conferences;
• Participating in the ASCA and Faculty of Humanities PhD training programmes;
• (co-)teaching courses at BA-level in the second and third year of the appointment (maximum 0,2 fte per year);
• Contributing to the content of the project website with your research findings.

What do you have to offer
You are passionate about developing innovative strategies for combining humanities and social science research into media and popular culture. You are interested in cultural studies and critical theory, in inter-Asia cultural studies, in environmental humanities, post/decolonial theory; and in combining different research methodologies. You enjoy doing fieldwork. In addition, you have a social and cooperative attitude, and you thrive in a team setting. You are curious and open-minded towards research traditions and methodologies you are less familiar with.

Your experience and profile:

• A completed Master's degree in the Humanities or Social Sciences in a field relevant to the project. You may apply if you have not yet completed a Master's degree only if you provide a signed letter from your supervisor stating that you will graduate before 31 December 2024;
• Outstanding research qualities manifested in strong BA and MA transcripts;
• Demonstrable knowledge of and experience with (most of) the following research methods: textual analysis (narrative, discourse, semiotic and visual analysis; digital analysis), ethnography (participant observation; individual interviews).
• Demonstrable experience working with theoretical frameworks, and a keen interest in the research fields central to the project: Media and cultural Studies, environmental humanities, inter-Asia cultural studies, Islamic studies, Indonesian studies;
• Excellent written and spoken English, and a high-level of proficiency in/understanding of Bahasa Indonesia;
• Team spirit and experience working in an interdisciplinary, international setting;
• Willingness to travel abroad for fieldwork, research stays, conferences and workshops;
• Strong interpersonal, social, analytical and organizational skills.

Experience in digital methods will be a plus.

Please note that if you already hold a doctorate/PhD or are working towards obtaining a similar degree elsewhere, you will not be admitted to a doctoral programme at the UvA.

What can we offer you
We offer a temporary employment contract for the period of 48 months. The first contract will be for 16 months, with an extension for the following 32 months, contingent on a positive performance evaluation within the first 12 months. The employment contract is for 38 hours a week. The preferred starting date is 01 January 2025.

Your salary, depending on relevant experience on commencement of the employment contract, ranges from € 2,770 up to a maximum of € 3,539 gross per month on the basis of a full working week of 38 hours. This sum does not include the 8% holiday allowance and the 8,3% year-end allowance. Favourable tax agreements may apply to applicants moving from abroad. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

What else do we offer?

• PhD candidates receive a tuition fee waiver;
• PhD candidates have free access to courses offered by the Graduate School of Humanities and the Dutch National Research Schools;
• excellent possibilities for further professional development and education;
• an inspiring academic and international work environment in the heart of Amsterdam;
• an enthusiastic and professional academic team.

About us
The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest spectrum of degree programmes. It is an intellectual hub with 42,000 students, 6,000 employees and 3,000 doctoral students who are all committed to a culture of inquiring minds.

The Faculty of Humanities provides education and conducts research with a strong international profile in a large number of disciplines in de field of language and culture. Located in the heart of Amsterdam, the faculty maintains close ties with many cultural institutes in the capital city. Research and teaching staff focus on interdisciplinary collaboration and are active in several teaching programmes.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

Questions
If you have any questions about the position or the department, please contact during office hours:

Do you have any questions, or do you require additional information?

• Contact dr. Leonie Schmidt: L.K.Schmidt@uva.nl
• For practical questions, contact dr. Eloe Kingma (asca-fgw@uva.nl)

Job application
If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the link below. We will accept applications until 26 August 2024.

Your application should include the following information:

• A letter, stating your reasons for applying, and detailing why you are an excellent candidate for the position (500-800 words);
• Your curriculum vitae, listing at least: full address and contact details, education, professional employment and language proficiency. Also include grants/honours, conference presentations, academic publications, if applicable;
• Transcripts of your Master’s (or equivalent) degree, and of your Bachelor’s degree;
• The names and contact details of two referees familiar with your academic record and research skills. One of the referees must be your Master’s thesis advisor. The referees may be approached by the selection committee.

Please submit the required information in 1 pdf by uploading in the required field ‘CV’.

The first round of interviews will be held over Zoom between 16 September and 8 October (tentative). When you are invited for an interview you will be asked to write a short research proposal.

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.

No agencies please.