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 If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Academicoxy

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

If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Academicoxy

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