The Faculty of Humanities at Utrecht University invites applications for a fully funded International PhD Position in Socio-Environmental Breathing and Suffocation to the talented candidates.
Applicants must hold a master’s degree in a relevant discipline within the Humanities or Social Sciences, such as Gender Studies, Cultural Studies, Postcolonial Studies, Environmental Humanities, or related fields. Candidates should have experience in critical research or activism addressing social, environmental, or geopolitical inequalities and demonstrate strong academic writing skills in English.
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( votes)Founded in 1636, Utrecht University emerged during a period of intellectual flourishing in the Dutch Republic, quickly establishing itself as a center for learning and scholarship. The university was initially established with the aim of training ministers and lawyers, but it soon expanded to include other disciplines. Utrecht University offers a vibrant campus environment, with modern facilities and a welcoming atmosphere for students from around the world. The main campus, located in the Utrecht Science Park, is a modern and well-equipped space with state-of-the-art facilities for teaching and research.
Application Deadline: 19 January 2025
Brief Description
- University or Organization: Utrecht University
- Department: Department of Media and Culture Studies
- Course Level: PhD
- Award: Fully funded
- Access Mode: Online/Fieldwork
- Number of Awards: 1
- Nationality: International
- The award can be taken in the: Netherlands
Eligibility
- Eligible Countries: All countries
- Acceptable Course or Subjects: The scholarship will be awarded in the fields of Gender Studies, Critical Theory, Cultural Studies, Postcolonial Studies, Decolonial Studies, Critical Race Studies, Posthumanities, Environmental Humanities, Feminist and Queer philosophy.
- Admissible Criteria: To be eligible, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
- Hold a Master’s degree in a relevant scientific discipline within the Humanities or Social Sciences.
- Have research or activism experience focused on social inequality, environmental inequality, or geopolitical inequality, particularly from a critical feminist, queer, trans, postcolonial, or decolonial perspective.
- Eagerness to learn about environmental issues such as deforestation, dead-zones, and peatlands from an interdisciplinary perspective, including natural sciences.
- Commitment to developing a decolonial and/or abolitionist approach to researching in the European context.
- Strong command of the English language, with excellent academic writing skills.
- Prior knowledge of Critical Respiratory Studies or critical research methods in the humanities is preferable but not required.
How to Apply
To apply, send the following documentation via the university’s application portal:
- CV
- A writing sample (e.g., a chapter from your thesis, a final paper, or a published article)
- Contact information for two references
- A motivation letter (up to 1500 words) addressing the following questions:
- What motivates you to do PhD research?
- What intervention would you like to make in the current socio-political-environmental conjuncture?
- How do you understand breathing and suffocation as research topics?
- What theories/activist/artistic practices have influenced you, and how would you link them to planetary respiration and asphyxiation?
- What specific issues would you like your PhD project to address?
- How would you describe your preferred research practice?
- How do you work both individually and as part of a team?
Benefits
The PhD position is fully funded for 48 months, with a gross monthly salary ranging from €2.901 to €3.707, depending on qualifications. Additional benefits include:
- Full funding for fieldwork travel and accommodation.
- Travel funding for knowledge exchange visits and small conferences.
- A pension scheme, parental leave, and flexible employment terms.
- 8% holiday pay and an 8.3% year-end bonus.
In addition, Utrecht University offers professional development opportunities, leave schemes, sports and cultural activities, and access to discounts on software and IT products. Employees are encouraged to continue investing in their growth.
Selection Schedule
- Invitation to first interview: 1 February 2025
- First interview (online): 7 February 2025
- Second interview (in-person, in Utrecht): 14 February 2025
- Start date: Ideally 1 April 2025, with flexibility for visa and relocation processes.