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

Kanton Bern; Bern; On-site; CHF 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Kanton Bern invites applications for a doctoral research project examining postcolonial listening in Switzerland, supervised by Prof. Dr. Michaela Schäuble (Bern University) and Dr.

Gilles Aubry (HKB Bern). The project uses archival, ethnographic, and artistic methods, aiming to publish findings and complete a doctoral dissertation. Candidates should hold a Master’s degree in Music, Sound Studies, Cultural Studies, Social Sciences or related field, and meet admission requirements for doctoral

Qualifications

• 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 and research; reliable, collaborative work style.

Responsibilities

• Develop and conduct an individual research project on postcolonial listening in Switzerland under supervision, using archival, ethnographic, and artistic methods, publish findings, and write a doctoral dissertation.
• Contribute to the project's public series of sound-art presentations and other knowledge-transfer activities, and publish results in peer-reviewed journals and in the project-related edited volume.
• Interviews will take place on 22 December 2026 in Bern and on-site work in Bern is required.

Skills

Postcolonial theory

Critical Race Theory

Education

Master's degree in Music, Sound Studies, Cultural Studies, Social Sciences, or related discipline

Job description

• 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 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