You will undertake doctoral level research on curating and multispecies justice as part of the JUST ART project. The exact scope of the research will be developed in dialogue with the selected candidate, but you will be expected to: 

• Investigate current approaches to multispecies justice within and beyond the cultural field; 
• Engage with artists, curators and other cultural practitioners in the Netherlands (and further afield) to explore the possibilities and limitations of adopting a multispecies framework in different contexts;
• Co-create a new curatorial intervention modelling approaches to multispecies justice (and climate justice more broadly) for arts and culture. 

These objectives will be developed and refined with the supervisors and in collaboration with the wider JUST ART community, which includes academics, artists, cultural institutions and societal partners across the Netherlands, including the Carribean. Your work will contribute to this ground-breaking project and will help shape new cultural practices and imaginaries.

During the project you will work towards your PhD and receive further training in interdisciplinary research. You will also take part in seminars and other activities hosted by one of the Dutch National Research Schools, such as NICA or OSK. You will gain expertise in contemporary challenges involving museums, artistic research, curating and climate justice. You will also have the opportunity to teach on these themes. 

 Tasks and responsibilities

• Carry out original research in the field of museum studies / curating / artistic research with regard to multispecies justice;
• Write and submit a PhD dissertation on Curating Multispecies Justice within the period of appointment; 
• Participate in regular meetings with the supervisors and the wider JUST ART community, including the PhD cohort. 
• Publish at least one peer-reviewed article and contribute to other writing projects as required (including JUST ART website).
• Presenting intermediate research results at workshops and conferences; 
• Actively contribute to the JUST ART Consortium community through participation in and organization of workshops with project partners, and participate in the JUST ART School’s writing retreats and other activities
• Actively engage with societal partners, e.g. organise collaborative knowledge exchange as well as educational and dissemination activities
• Participation in the Research School and Faculty of Humanities PhD training programmes;
• (Co-)teaching courses at BA-level in the second and third year of the appointment (maximum 0,2 fte per year).

You approach academic activities with creativity and rigour, and demonstrate a proactive approach to empirical research, analysis, and writing. Your work combines a strong theoretical grounding with applied knowledge of curating and related fields.

Experience and profile 

• A completed Master's or Research Masters degree in Museum Studies, Art History, Cultural Studies, Heritage Studies, Artistic Research or a related field.
• Excellent research skills demonstrated by a Master thesis.
• A strong collaborative attitude and willingness to engage in team-based research;
• Enthusiasm for communicating research to academic and non-academic audiences;
• Experience with (co)-curating on topics related to climate and ecology; 
• Some prior knowledge of multispecies justice frameworks is desirable;
• Good command of English (Dutch is desirable);
• Good presentation skills (in writing and other formats).

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. 

• 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 preferred starting date is ​1 September 2026
• Based on a full-time appointment (38 hours per week) the gross monthly salary will range from €3.059 in the first year to €3.881 (scale P) in the last year. This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile PhD candidate applicable. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.
• 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.