NL
EN

PhD Position in Minority Self-Representation in the United States

  • Faculty of Humanities
  • 13974
  • Master's
  • €2.901 - €3.707
  • 38 hours
  • Closes on
    11-05-2025
Apply

PhD Position in Minority Self-Representation in the United States

  • Faculty of Humanities
  • 13974
  • Master's
  • €2.901 - €3.707
  • 38 hours
  • Closes on
    11-05-2025
Apply

Working at the UvA

Join our research team!

Minority groups face unprecedented challenges in today’s polarized political climate, making methods and forms of self-representation both more difficult and more vital. This PhD will investigate a specific dimension of minority self-representation in the United States, in either contemporary or historical context. The successful candidate will examine how hegemonic groups have used language and/or story-telling to marginalize a given population, and how that group (or specific individuals within it) has used linguistic and/or narrative strategies to promote its own psychosocial wellbeing, cultural cohesion, and political power.
While examples of possible projects are offered below, we invite candidates to propose innovative and feasible research projects drawing on their existing expertise:

  • Practices of language preservation and inter-generational transmission among minoritized populations (for instance, Chinese American, Latinx, or Native American communities).
  • Feminist or Queer responses to linguistic and narrative marginalization.
  • Autobiographical story-telling among African Americans, Hispanics, or other racialized minorities.

This project will include approximately six weeks of field and /or archival research to the United States to gather relevant data.

Working at the UvA

Join our research team!

Minority groups face unprecedented challenges in today’s polarized political climate, making methods and forms of self-representation both more difficult and more vital. This PhD will investigate a specific dimension of minority self-representation in the United States, in either contemporary or historical context. The successful candidate will examine how hegemonic groups have used language and/or story-telling to marginalize a given population, and how that group (or specific individuals within it) has used linguistic and/or narrative strategies to promote its own psychosocial wellbeing, cultural cohesion, and political power.
While examples of possible projects are offered below, we invite candidates to propose innovative and feasible research projects drawing on their existing expertise:

  • Practices of language preservation and inter-generational transmission among minoritized populations (for instance, Chinese American, Latinx, or Native American communities).
  • Feminist or Queer responses to linguistic and narrative marginalization.
  • Autobiographical story-telling among African Americans, Hispanics, or other racialized minorities.

This project will include approximately six weeks of field and /or archival research to the United States to gather relevant data.

All about this vacancy

This is what you will be doing

  • submission of a PhD thesis within the period of appointment;
  • participating in meetings of the project research group;
    publishing one single-authored, peer reviewed article;
  • presenting intermediate research results at workshops and conferences;
  • organising knowledge dissemination activities;
  • (co-)teaching courses at BA-level in the second and third year of the appointment (maximum 0,2 fte per year);
  • participation in the Research School and Faculty of Humanities PhD training programmes.

This is what we ask of you

  • a completed Master's degree in literature, linguistics, history, anthropology, or a relevant field;
  • excellent research skills demonstrated by an outstanding Master's thesis and a demonstrable capacity to develop a track record of publishing in high-ranking journals and/or with leading presses;
  • a strong cooperative attitude and willingness to engage in collaborative, interdisciplinary research;
  • enthusiasm for communicating academic research to non-academic audiences;
  • good command of English and languages relevant to the proposed research project.

Experience in researching minority rights and/ or self-representation will be considered a plus. 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.

This is what we offer you

  • 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;
  • additional funding for research in the US and travel to international conferences.

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 September 2025.

All about this vacancy

This is what you will be doing

  • submission of a PhD thesis within the period of appointment;
  • participating in meetings of the project research group;
    publishing one single-authored, peer reviewed article;
  • presenting intermediate research results at workshops and conferences;
  • organising knowledge dissemination activities;
  • (co-)teaching courses at BA-level in the second and third year of the appointment (maximum 0,2 fte per year);
  • participation in the Research School and Faculty of Humanities PhD training programmes.

This is what we ask of you

  • a completed Master's degree in literature, linguistics, history, anthropology, or a relevant field;
  • excellent research skills demonstrated by an outstanding Master's thesis and a demonstrable capacity to develop a track record of publishing in high-ranking journals and/or with leading presses;
  • a strong cooperative attitude and willingness to engage in collaborative, interdisciplinary research;
  • enthusiasm for communicating academic research to non-academic audiences;
  • good command of English and languages relevant to the proposed research project.

Experience in researching minority rights and/ or self-representation will be considered a plus. 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.

This is what we offer you

  • 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;
  • additional funding for research in the US and travel to international conferences.

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 September 2025.

Your place at the UvA

This is where you will be working

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. 

Organisational unit

The University of Amsterdam is ambitious, creative and committed. An inspiration to students since 1632, a vanguard player in international science and a partner in innovation.
The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest range of courses on offer. An intellectual hub with 42,000 students, 6,000 staff and 3,000 PhD students. Connected by a culture of curiosity.

Your place at the UvA

This is where you will be working

This is where you will be working

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. 

Organisational unit

The University of Amsterdam is ambitious, creative and committed. An inspiration to students since 1632, a vanguard player in international science and a partner in innovation.
The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest range of courses on offer. An intellectual hub with 42,000 students, 6,000 staff and 3,000 PhD students. Connected by a culture of curiosity.

Important to know

Your application & contact

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 11 May 2025.

Your application should include the following information:

  • a letter and full academic CV;
  • a list of all Master-level modules you have taken, with an official transcript of grades;
  • a research proposal of 800-1000 words, showing how you would approach the project;
  • the names and email addresses of two references, including your advisor, who may be approached by the selection committee. Please submit the required information in 1 pdf by uploading in the required field ‘CV’. The first round of interviews will be held in the course of late May-early June 2025.

If you have questions about the application, please contact Prof. Dr. Barnita Bagchi: [email protected]

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

As an employer, the UvA maintains an equal opportunities policy. We value diversity and are fully committed to being a place where everyone feels at home. We nurture inquisitive minds and perseverance and allow room for persistent questioning. With us, curiosity and creativity are the prevailing culture.
Read more

Important to know

Your application & contact

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 11 May 2025.

Your application should include the following information:

  • a letter and full academic CV;
  • a list of all Master-level modules you have taken, with an official transcript of grades;
  • a research proposal of 800-1000 words, showing how you would approach the project;
  • the names and email addresses of two references, including your advisor, who may be approached by the selection committee. Please submit the required information in 1 pdf by uploading in the required field ‘CV’. The first round of interviews will be held in the course of late May-early June 2025.

If you have questions about the application, please contact Prof. Dr. Barnita Bagchi: [email protected]

As an employer, the UvA maintains an equal opportunities policy. We value diversity and are fully committed to being a place where everyone feels at home. We nurture inquisitive minds and perseverance and allow room for persistent questioning. With us, curiosity and creativity are the prevailing culture.

Other interesting vacancies for you

View all vacancies

Other interesting vacancies for you

View all vacancies

Don't miss out on your dream job!

Sign up for a job alert and you'll receive automatic updates about new and relevant vacancies.

Don't miss out on your dream job!

Sign up for a job alert and you'll receive automatic updates about new and relevant vacancies.

This website uses cookies

We, and third parties, use cookies on our website. We use cookies to ensure that our website functions properly, to store your preferences, to gain insight into visitor behavior, but also for marketing and social media purposes (showing personalized advertisements). By clicking 'Accept', you agree to the use of all cookies. In our Cookie Statement. you can read more about the cookies we use and save or change your preferences. By clicking 'Refuse' you only agree to the use of functional cookies.