PhD Position in Cultural Sciences

Utrecht University

Institution: Utrecht University, Faculty of Humanities, Department of Media and Culture Studies
Location: Utrecht, Netherlands
Employment Type: Full-time, initially 18 months with extension to 4 years (goal: doctorate)
Application Deadline: 24 April 2026
Estimated Start Date: 1 October 2026

Project Overview

This PhD is part of the NWO Vidi project “Fabulous Subjects: Queer Intellectuals and their Archives”. The focus is on:

  • Mapping and studying archives of queer art and literature from the HIV/AIDS crisis in Europe (1980s–1990s)
  • Collaborating with the European HIV/AIDS Archive (EHAA) in Berlin
  • Developing a theory of the queer “organic intellectual” and its archival imprint
  • Producing one peer-reviewed article, one chapter for an edited volume, and a PhD dissertation

The research involves archival work, cultural analysis, and active participation in the research group, including seminars, workshops, and collaborative writing.

Responsibilities

  • Develop an independent research plan aligned with the Vidi project
  • Conduct high-quality empirical research and archival study
  • Contribute to theory development on queer intellectuals
  • Produce a PhD dissertation and additional academic publications
  • Present findings at international conferences
  • Support organization of academic events
  • Engage in public outreach and research dissemination

Candidate Profile

Required:

  • Master’s degree in Humanities or Social Sciences (e.g., Gender Studies, Cultural Studies, Literary Studies, History)
  • Solid familiarity with queer theory
  • Preferably prior experience in archival research and cultural analysis
  • Excellent English proficiency; knowledge of another European language
  • Strong academic writing skills

Employment Details

  • Full-time (36–40 hours/week)
  • Salary: €3,059–€3,881 gross/month (38h/week) under Dutch Universities CAO (includes 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus)
  • Benefits: pension scheme, parental leave, flexible employment options, professional development

Institutional Context

  • Faculty of Humanities: ~7,000 students, ~1,100 staff
  • Department of Media and Culture Studies: interdisciplinary environment, emphasis on cultural and artistic expressions
  • Embedded in Institute for Cultural Inquiry (ICON) and focus area Governing the Digital Society (GDS)
  • Graduate School of Humanities provides seminars and courses to improve academic skills

Application Requirements

Submit a single PDF via Utrecht University’s recruitment system including:

  • Detailed CV (education, publications, conference activity, language proficiency, contact details)
  • Motivation letter (fit for project, interdisciplinary background, contribution to project)
  • Writing sample in English (e.g., thesis chapter, published article)
  • Names and contacts of two academic referees

Contact for Information:
Dr. Gianmaria Colpani –g.colpani@uu.nl

Apply