PhD Position within the SNSF Project “Sounding Out Colonial Innocence”

Berner Fachhochschule BFH; Bern; On-site; CHF 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Berner Fachhochschule BFH in Bern invites a doctoral researcher to explore postcolonial listening and its effects on Swiss sonic culture. You will develop an individual project, apply archival and ethnographic methods, and prepare a doctoral dissertation under senior supervision.

You will contribute to public sound-art events and publish results in peer-reviewed journals and an edited volume, working on site in Bern with a collaborative, transdisciplinary team.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in relevant field and admission to doctoral studies at the University of Bern
• Strong interest in postcolonial/decolonial theories and Critical Race Theory in Swiss context
• Experience in sound and music practices is an asset
• Excellent English and strong German/French/Italian language skills, willingness to work on site in Bern
• Submit research proposal, degree certificates, writing sample or portfolio as part of application

Responsibilities

• Develop and conduct an individual research project on postcolonial listening in Switzerland
• Supervise project under Prof. Dr. Michaela Schäuble and Dr. Gilles Aubry
• Publish research findings in peer‑reviewed journals and in project volume
• Contribute to public sound-art events and knowledge-transfer activities

Skills

Postcolonial theory interest

Ethnographic research experience

Sound/music practice familiarity

Collaborative work style

Languages: English + German/French/It.

Education

Master's degree in Music/Sound Studies/Cultural Studies/Social Sciences

Admission to doctoral studies at the Institute of Social Anthropology, University of Bern

Job description

What you'll be doing here

• Led by Dr. Gilles Aubry, the project explores the impact of Swiss “colonialism without colonies” on Switzerland's self-image, as well as on the production and perception of sound, and develops new perspectives on Swiss sonic culture
• Develop and conduct an individual research project on postcolonial listening in Switzerland under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Michaela Schäuble (Bern University) and Dr. Gilles Aubry (HKB Bern), carry out research using archival, ethnographic, and artistic methods, publish research findings, and write a doctoral dissertation
• Contribute to the project's public series of sound-art presentations and other knowledge-transfer activities, and publish research results in peer-reviewed academic journals as well as in the project-related edited volume

What you'll bring with you

• Master's degree in Music, Sound Studies, Cultural Studies, Social Sciences, or a related discipline, and fulfilment of the admission requirements for doctoral studies at the Institute of Social Anthropology, University of Bern
• Interest in postcolonial and decolonial theories as well as Critical Race Theory and their application to the Swiss context. Prior knowledge of the local context is explicitly welcomed
• Experience in sound and music practice, familiarity with relevant research fields, and a reliable, collaborative way of working are considered assets.
• Excellent command of English as well as very good language skills in German, French, or Italian, and willingness to work on site in Bern
• Application documents must include a research proposal (max. 3 pages), degree certificates, a writing sample (max. 25 pages), and/or a portfolio of artistic work. Interviews will take place on 22 December 2026 in Bern

To start with, here are some of our strong points

• An almost unbelievably large variety of themes and topics and a great mix of research and teaching.
• Practised and accessible transdisciplinarity paired with a unique blend of research and teaching.
• International teaching staff that combines tradition with innovation and excellence with experiment and thus gives students individual guidance towards their own careers.
• An operating culture that fosters diversity, artistic openness and the transitions between disciplines, attitudes and traditions.

I'll be your guide through the application procedure

Stephanie Binggeli

HR Consultant

P [phone]

Bern Academy of the Arts (HKB)

HKB a department of BFH, is home to the whole gamut of disciplines in art and design. We are a truly innovative university of the arts with an inspiring atmosphere all of its own and are very keen on cross-disciplinary teaching and research in music, design and art, conservation and restauration, theatre, literature and in our transdisciplinary Y Institute.