The Amsterdam School for Cultural Analysis (ASCA) and the department of Mediastudies currently have 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 postdoc 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 post-doc project focuses on how an Indonesian Islamic eco-cultural approach to climate change is developed by institutions and cultural actors, which eco-theologies underlie its creation, and how adaptable it may be to other national contexts (project 1). It involves:

• Ethnographic fieldwork in Indonesia in the second and third year. This includes, amongst others, gathering data, visiting cultural events, networking, building rapports, and carrying out formal interviews and informal dialogues with various actors in institutions and the cultural sector;
• Participation in and organisation of workshops and conferences in which academics and policy-makers, and cultural actors participate;

Tasks and responsibilities:

• Conducting research under supervision of the PI and publishing four peer-reviewed journal articles within the period of appointment;
• Completing a monograph 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;
• 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
Candidates need to have the following qualifications:

• A PhD in in the Humanities or Social Sciences, on a topic relevant to the project. You may apply if you have not yet completed your PhD degree only if you provide a signed letter from your supervisor stating that you will graduate before 31 December 2024;
• excellent research skills demonstrated by a track record of publishing in international peer-reviewed journals and/or with leading presses or a demonstrable capacity to develop such a record;
• Demonstrable knowledge of and experience with (most of) the following research methods: ethnography (participant observation; focus groups; individual interviews) and textual analysis (narrative, discourse, semiotic and visual analysis; digital analysis);
• 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.

What can we offer you
The Postdoc researcher will be appointed at the Media Studies department of the Faculty of Humanities and will conduct the research in Amsterdam School for Cultural Analysis. The employment will be for one year. Contingent on a positive performance evaluation the contract will be extended with three years. 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 between € 4,036 to € 5,090 (scale 10, step 5-11) 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?

• excellent possibilities for further professional development and education;
• an enthusiastic and professional academic team;
• an inspiring academic and international work environment in the heart of Amsterdam;
• the opportunity to collaborate with leading researchers at research institutes that - partly as a result of their interdisciplinary approach - are world renowned.

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:

• 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, and academic publications.
• Transcripts of your PhD degree, and of your Master’s (or equivalent) degree.
• The names and contact details of two referees familiar with your academic record and research skills, including your PhD thesis advisor. They may also be approached by the selection committee.
• Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered.

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.