PhD Position in Architectural History and Heritage Studies

Are you looking for a challenging position in a dynamic setting? The Amsterdam School for Heritage, Memory and Material Culture (AHM) currently has a vacant fully funded PhD position as part of ‘Concrete Colonialism: Architecture and Heritage in Indonesia around Independence’, led by principal investigators and daily advisors dr. Rixt Woudstra and dr. David Duindam, and prof. dr. Esther Peeren as supervisor. This project is funded by a Starters Grant awarded by the Faculty of Humanities. The AHM is one of the five Research Schools within the Amsterdam Institute for Humanities Research (AIHR).

AHM, as a thematic research school, fosters a dynamic, interdisciplinary and transnational approach across various disciplines. AHM’s mission and profile integrate all branches of research that focus on the material and intangible remains of the past, the reciprocal relations between objects, meanings and representations, and the dynamics of memory. AHM’s research is carried out from diverse theoretical and methodological perspectives: in concept-oriented, object-oriented and user-oriented approaches.

AHM’s research agenda is streamed into five Research Themes that cross and connect the fields of heritage, memory studies and material culture: Museums & Memorials, Heritage & Conflict, Transnational Memory Narratives, Digitality & E-Memories, Materiality & Material Culture. Each of these themes relates to several working research groups in the school, but has in principle a rather open character, and closely collaborates with the other research themes and research groups.

What are you going to do?

You will work on your own research project as part of the research team ‘Concrete Colonialism: Architecture and Heritage in Indonesia around Independence’. We use a material lens to examine the built environment and heritage formation before, during, and after the transition to independence in Indonesia. Our team sets out to examine the local and transregional networks of fabrication, production, distribution, use and decay of building materials, with a specific focus on concrete.

The PhD project can take different approaches, including (but not limited to):

• A material lens: examining the manufacturing and distribution of concrete, for example by the Nederlands-Indische Portland Cement Maatschappij. Another focus could be the perception of concrete in relation to colonialism and independence, possibly in relation to other building materials.
• A network analysis: researching the activities of, for example, one or more building companies, such as the Hollandse Beton Maatschappij active in Indonesia. This approach may involve the use of digital mapping technologies, such as GIS.
• A comparative lens: investigating local, regional or transnational exchanges building materials, knowledge of building construction or/and labour through a comparative study.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• submission of a PhD thesis within the period of appointment;
• publishing 2 single-authored, peer reviewed articles or chapters;
• presenting intermediate research results at workshops and conferences in the Netherlands and abroad;
• organising project workshops, conferences and creative events together with project team members;
• participating in the AHM and Faculty of Humanities PhD training programmes;
• (co-)teaching in BA programmes optional in years 2 and 3 of the PhD project (0,2fte per year max).

What do you have to offer?

We are looking for an enthusiastic researcher who is willing to collaborate as part of a research team and is capable of working independently. Experience conducting archival research and/or fieldwork is desirable.

Your experience and profile

Candidates need to have the following qualifications:

• a completed Master's degree in the History of Architecture, Heritage Studies, or in a related Humanities discipline.

• research skills demonstrated by a Master's thesis and the capacity to develop a track record of publishing monographs, edited volumes or in academic journals;
• a strong cooperative attitude and willingness to engage in collaborative research;
• interest in communicating academic research to non-academic audiences;
• good command of English

Knowledge of Bahasa Indonesia, or willingness to learn Bahasa Indonesia is desirable.

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 is in the first year of the employment contract € 2,872 and in the last year a maximum of € 3,670 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 via email:

• Rixt Woudstra, r.l.woudstra@uva.nl
• Assistant Professor Architectural History

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 15 October 2024.

Your application should include the following information:

• a cover letter and full academic CV;
• a list of all Master-level modules you have taken, with a transcript of grades from your university;
• a research proposal of 800-1000 words, including how you would approach the project, possible case studies, theoretical framing, methodology and timeline.
• writing sample in English (does not have to be published work; can be an excerpt of your MA thesis; max. 5.000 words)
• the names and email addresses of two academic or professional references, including your thesis advisor, who may be approached by the selection committee. No letters required.

Please submit the required information as one PDF by uploading it in the required field ‘CV’.

The first round of interviews will be held in the course of October and November in person or on Zoom depending on the availability of the candidate and committee members.

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.