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Postdoctoral Fellowship on Visual Art and Third-World Solidarities in 20th-Century

  • Faculty of Humanities
  • 13953
  • PhD
  • €3.378 - €5.331
  • 38 hours
  • Closes on
    15-05-2025
Apply

Postdoctoral Fellowship on Visual Art and Third-World Solidarities in 20th-Century

  • Faculty of Humanities
  • 13953
  • PhD
  • €3.378 - €5.331
  • 38 hours
  • Closes on
    15-05-2025
Apply

Working at the UvA

Join our project!

Join the Project Team of the ERC-Consolidator Grant project, "Entangled Freedoms: Decolonial Modernisms as Transnational Relations of Resistance, 1940s-1980s," located within the Amsterdam School for Cultural Analysis and the Department of Arts and Culture at the University of Amsterdam. Led by Dr. Sanjukta Sunderason, "EntangledFreedoms" is studying how artists and cultural thinkers from the decolonizing worlds of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East interacted with – and transformed – ideas of “freedom” during 20th-century decolonization and Cold War.

"Entangled Freedoms" foregrounds visual art and artistic discourse from the Global South as archives to understand plural, contesting ideas of freedom that could be found between 1940s-1980s, as retreating European colonial empires intersected with new Cold War geopolitics. Such ideas of freedom included, for instance, western ‘First World’ ideas of universalism and freedom from ideology; Socialist ‘Second World’ visions of freedom as utopian horizons of continued, revolutionary class struggles; and emerging ‘Third World’ visions of anti-colonial, anti-imperial liberation. Studying entanglements of such ideas via artistic forms and thought in the decolonizing worlds can generate new intellectual histories of 20th-century decolonization. As a member of the EntangledFreedoms Project Team, you will be working with 20th-century (visual) art from the Global South with a particular alertness to locational/vernacular archives (of art and cultural imagination), wider transnational cultural and intellectual discourses, and formations of political thought and cultural resistance.

While the two PhDs scholars in the Project Team are working with hitherto-disconnected artistic/cultural archives of Pakistan (West and East until 1971) and East Pakistan/Bangladesh between 1940s-1980s, the three Postdoc scholars will study imaginaries of freedom via artistic internationalisms from Middle Eastern, African, and (Southeast) Asian contexts. This particular call is for the Postdoctoral Fellow 1 who will study archives of Arab liberation movements and "Third World solidarity' movements from the Middle-East.

Working at the UvA

Join our project!

Join the Project Team of the ERC-Consolidator Grant project, "Entangled Freedoms: Decolonial Modernisms as Transnational Relations of Resistance, 1940s-1980s," located within the Amsterdam School for Cultural Analysis and the Department of Arts and Culture at the University of Amsterdam. Led by Dr. Sanjukta Sunderason, "EntangledFreedoms" is studying how artists and cultural thinkers from the decolonizing worlds of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East interacted with – and transformed – ideas of “freedom” during 20th-century decolonization and Cold War.

"Entangled Freedoms" foregrounds visual art and artistic discourse from the Global South as archives to understand plural, contesting ideas of freedom that could be found between 1940s-1980s, as retreating European colonial empires intersected with new Cold War geopolitics. Such ideas of freedom included, for instance, western ‘First World’ ideas of universalism and freedom from ideology; Socialist ‘Second World’ visions of freedom as utopian horizons of continued, revolutionary class struggles; and emerging ‘Third World’ visions of anti-colonial, anti-imperial liberation. Studying entanglements of such ideas via artistic forms and thought in the decolonizing worlds can generate new intellectual histories of 20th-century decolonization. As a member of the EntangledFreedoms Project Team, you will be working with 20th-century (visual) art from the Global South with a particular alertness to locational/vernacular archives (of art and cultural imagination), wider transnational cultural and intellectual discourses, and formations of political thought and cultural resistance.

While the two PhDs scholars in the Project Team are working with hitherto-disconnected artistic/cultural archives of Pakistan (West and East until 1971) and East Pakistan/Bangladesh between 1940s-1980s, the three Postdoc scholars will study imaginaries of freedom via artistic internationalisms from Middle Eastern, African, and (Southeast) Asian contexts. This particular call is for the Postdoctoral Fellow 1 who will study archives of Arab liberation movements and "Third World solidarity' movements from the Middle-East.

All about this vacancy

This is what you will do

Required:

  • designing and conducting research under the guidance of the project leader (PI), resulting in at least two peer-reviewed academic publications in international scientific journals;
  • coordinating, along with the PI, and contributing to the publication of the project edited volume;
  • co-organizing, with the Project Team, expert meetings and workshops tied to the project edited volume;
  • contributing to the documentation process of the project that will be developed via the project’s website Optional:
  • participating in committees and working groups, as well as performing administrative tasks;
  • occasional guest lectures;
  • working on book project, if that is preferred over publishing articles.

This is what we ask of you

Required:

  • PhD in art history or literary/cultural history/Middle Eastern Studies;
  • Specialization on themes of 20th-century visual art, internationalism and politics in the MENA region, with strong embedding in vernacular cultural and artistic discourse, print cultures of resistance;
  • Interest in working on discursive and intellectual histories using visual art/periodical press/graphic arts/cultural discourse as key sources;
  • Specialization in MENA with a focus on (either of) Algeria/Palestine/Egypt/the Levant;
  • Knowledge of Arabic and French, alongside English.

Optional:

  • demonstrable postdoctoral experience in publishing in leading international scientific journals;
  • demonstrable postdoctoral experience in presenting scientific results at international conferences;
  • a strong cooperative attitude and willingness to engage in collaborative research;
  • enthusiasm for communicating academic research to non-academic audiences;
  • excellent social, communication, and organizational skills;
  • good command of Dutch and English.

This is what we offer you

  • a two year onderzoeker 4 (postdoc) contract starting on February, 2026 for 1 FTE;
  • excellent possibilities for further professional development and education;
  • an enthusiastic and professional academic team;
  • an inspiring academic and international work environment in the heart of Amsterdam;
  • the opportunity to collaborate with leading researchers at research institutes that - partly as a result of their interdisciplinary approach - are world renowned.

All about this vacancy

This is what you will do

Required:

  • designing and conducting research under the guidance of the project leader (PI), resulting in at least two peer-reviewed academic publications in international scientific journals;
  • coordinating, along with the PI, and contributing to the publication of the project edited volume;
  • co-organizing, with the Project Team, expert meetings and workshops tied to the project edited volume;
  • contributing to the documentation process of the project that will be developed via the project’s website Optional:
  • participating in committees and working groups, as well as performing administrative tasks;
  • occasional guest lectures;
  • working on book project, if that is preferred over publishing articles.

This is what we ask of you

Required:

  • PhD in art history or literary/cultural history/Middle Eastern Studies;
  • Specialization on themes of 20th-century visual art, internationalism and politics in the MENA region, with strong embedding in vernacular cultural and artistic discourse, print cultures of resistance;
  • Interest in working on discursive and intellectual histories using visual art/periodical press/graphic arts/cultural discourse as key sources;
  • Specialization in MENA with a focus on (either of) Algeria/Palestine/Egypt/the Levant;
  • Knowledge of Arabic and French, alongside English.

Optional:

  • demonstrable postdoctoral experience in publishing in leading international scientific journals;
  • demonstrable postdoctoral experience in presenting scientific results at international conferences;
  • a strong cooperative attitude and willingness to engage in collaborative research;
  • enthusiasm for communicating academic research to non-academic audiences;
  • excellent social, communication, and organizational skills;
  • good command of Dutch and English.

This is what we offer you

  • a two year onderzoeker 4 (postdoc) contract starting on February, 2026 for 1 FTE;
  • excellent possibilities for further professional development and education;
  • an enthusiastic and professional academic team;
  • an inspiring academic and international work environment in the heart of Amsterdam;
  • the opportunity to collaborate with leading researchers at research institutes that - partly as a result of their interdisciplinary approach - are world renowned.

Your place at the UvA

This is where you will work

You will be joining the Amsterdam School of Cultural Analysis (http://asca.uva.nl/), one of the five Research Schools within the Amsterdam Institute for Humanities Research (AIHR).

The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest spectrum of degree programmes. It is an intellectual hub with 42,000 students, 6,000 employees and 3,000 doctoral students who are all committed to a culture of inquiring minds.

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 work

You will be joining the Amsterdam School of Cultural Analysis (http://asca.uva.nl/), one of the five Research Schools within the Amsterdam Institute for Humanities Research (AIHR).

The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest spectrum of degree programmes. It is an intellectual hub with 42,000 students, 6,000 employees and 3,000 doctoral students who are all committed to a culture of inquiring minds.

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 May 15, 2025.

Your application should include the following information:

  • a motivation letter supporting the profile noted in the call;
  • full academic CV;
  • a list of publications;
  • a research proposal of 800-1000 words, showing how you meet the profile advertised, and how your research would approach the project.
  • The names and email addresses of two references who may be approached by the selection committee.

For questions about this position you can email Sanjukta Sunderason [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 May 15, 2025.

Your application should include the following information:

  • a motivation letter supporting the profile noted in the call;
  • full academic CV;
  • a list of publications;
  • a research proposal of 800-1000 words, showing how you meet the profile advertised, and how your research would approach the project.
  • The names and email addresses of two references who may be approached by the selection committee.

For questions about this position you can email Sanjukta Sunderason [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.

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