PhD in Entangled with Seaweed', case studies in South Africa

Leiden University; Leiden; Hybrid; EUR 36,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public transport reimbursement

Laptop provided

Smartphone provided

Hybrid work options

Holiday allowance 8%

End-of-year bonus 8.3%

ABP pension scheme

Extra leave options / sabbatical

Job summary

Leiden University invites applications for a PhD candidate position within the Entangled with Seaweed project. The role includes developing a research proposal, conducting ethnographic fieldwork in South Africa, and contributing to the data management plan and ethics review.

You will analyze findings, write a dissertation, and collaborate on publications, science communication, workshops and an exhibition, with opportunities for PhD courses at Stellenbosch University and Leiden University.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Anthropology, Sociology, Environmental Humanities or another relevant discipline.
• Excellent qualitative research skills and ethnographic fieldwork experience.
• Fluency in English; knowledge of another SA official language is a bonus.
• Strong oral and written communication skills; ability to work independently and in a team.

Responsibilities

• Develop a research proposal within the Entangled with Seaweed project scope.
• Conduct twelve months of ethnographic fieldwork in South Africa.
• Contribute to ethics review and data management planning.
• Analyse findings and write a dissertation aligning with project objectives.
• Collaborate on academic and non-academic publications, science communication, workshops, seminars and an exhibition.

Skills

Qualitative research

Ethnography

English proficiency

Oral and written communication

Independent and team work

Education

Master’s degree in Anthropology / Sociology / Environmental Humanities or related

Job description

Develop a research proposal in the context of the overall project theme, and conduct twelve months of ethnographic research in South Africa. An ethics review and contribution to the data management plan are included in the proposal development. Research includes document/policy analysis, participant observation, interviews, and the application of participatory visual storytelling methods. Analyse research findings and write a dissertation that contributes to the objectives of the ‘Entangled with Seaweed’ project. Actively contribute to the output and dissemination of the research project, which includes collaborating with the other team members on academic and non-academic publications, science communication, and the organization of workshops, seminars and an exhibition. Participate in relevant PhD-courses and masterclasses, organized in accordance with the guidelines of the Faculty of Social Science and the Institute of Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology. PhD-courses at Stellenbosch University, our partner in the project, can be included in the individual training and supervision plan as well. Participate in the PhD programme and other academic activities of the Institute of Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology at Leiden University. During your stay in South Africa you will also be able to participate in the PhD-programme at the Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology at Stellenbosch University.

A Master’s degree in Anthropology, Sociology, Environmental Humanities or another relevant discipline within the social sciences or humanities. Demonstrable excellent qualitative research skills and experience with ethnographic fieldwork. Affinity with the topics of sustainability and environmental justice. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Strong command of English; Knowledge of one of the other official languages of South Africa is a bonus. Excellent social and organisational skills and the ability to work independently as well as in a team.

PHD: An employment contract for 38 hours per week as a PhD candidate, initially for a period of 1 year, with the possibility of extension for 3 years after a positive evaluation. This contract falls under the CLA of Dutch Universities; A salary between €3204 - €4051 gross per month, based on a full-time appointment (38 hours) (PhD student); A holiday allowance (8%), an end-of-year bonus (8,3%), and an attractive pension scheme at ABP; Full reimbursement of public transport commuting costs for home-to-work travel; Flexible working hours: as a standard, you are entitled to a minimum of 29 leave days on the basis of a full-time working week of 38 hours; you can also save for extra leave, for example by working 40 hours a week, and in this way accrue an extra 96 leave hours, or exchange 96 leave hours for a 36-hour week. Lots of options when it comes to secondary employment conditions; we can, for example, discuss options for a sabbatical or paid parental leave. Within our terms of employment individual choices model, you can exchange leave days and/or salary for benefits such as an advantageous sports subscription and bicycle scheme; If your work allows it, hybrid working is possible within the Netherlands; A home-working allowance (day and internet allowance) and attention for good workplaces. The University will also provide you with a laptop and a mobile telephone.

We believe mobility is very important. That is why we are also publishing this vacancy internally. In case of equal suitability, we will give priority to the internal candidate. A pre-employment screening (references, diplomas, certificate of good conduct (VOG)) may be part of the selection procedure.