项目介绍

2026年7月10日

Open topics

We offer two PhD positions for anthropological research on urban issues that makes an academic contribution and is relevant to solving social challenges in Amsterdam. The project should be both solid and innovative academically, and incorporate practice-based concerns and questions in its design. The programme aims to promote social science with the city. Whether working with activists or policymakers, medical doctors or social workers, the goal is to learn from local partners and work alongside them. 

Within these parameters, the topic to be researched is open, as long as the projects relate to urban issues and clearly articulate their societal value for the city and those who help shape it. We particularly encourage project proposals on the following themes: disability and mobility; living with intellectual disabilities; diversity and inequality in the city; young people’s views and practices of sexuality; progressive municipal politics in an age of polarization; green energy and the Port of Amsterdam.

While ethnography will be the major approach, candidates are encouraged to also include other methods. This may involve experimenting with co-constructive or multimodal methods as well as the creation of other than academic outputs, in dialogue with the people to whom this project should make a difference. 

What are you going to do

• Develop and execute your research project in dialogue with partners in the city
• Contribute to academic debates and produce a PhD dissertation and publications
• Translate your research findings and insights into outputs that are relevant to these partners
• Teach in our educational programmes (10% of appointment)

What do you have to offer 

Candidates must have:

• Proficiency in languages required for the fieldwork. In most cases this will be Dutch
• A master’s degree in anthropology or a closely related degree in the social sciences or humanities
• Experience with ethnographic research
• Experience conducting research in the city and with partners

We particularly encourage applicants who are motivated to co-produce knowledge that is both scientifically rigorous and socially meaningful.

What do we have to offer

We offer a temporary employment contract of 38 hours per week for a maximum term of four years. The initial employment is for one year. Following a positive assessment, this term will be extended by a maximum of three years, which should result in the conferral of a doctorate. You will attend courses offered by the AISSR and the Graduate School of Social Sciences as part of the PhD program. In addition to doing research, publicizing your findings, and participating in academic events, you will be involved in teaching (roughly 10% of your time).

For this position the University Job Classification profile “Promovendus” applies. Your salary will be €3,059 gross per month in the first year and will increase to €3,881 in the final year, based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week and in keeping with the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities. We additionally offer an extensive package of secondary benefits, including 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. The UvA offers excellent possibilities for further professional development and education.

Applicants are invited to develop a research proposal on the topic of their choice (see instructions below).