All Things Urban

A modern university with a rich history, the University of Amsterdam (UvA) traces its roots back to 1632, when the Golden Age school Athenaeum Illustre was established to train students in trade and philosophy. The UvA seeks to offer an inspiring international academic environment in which both staff and students can develop their talents optimally. Characterised by a critical, creative and international atmosphere, the UvA has a long tradition of open-mindedness and engagement with social issues, in keeping with the spirit of the city with which it is inextricably linked.

Are you exceptionally interested in the subject of urban mobility and gender, in particular, in how mobility policy and planning display insensitivity to women’s experiences? Would you like to conduct theoretically ambitious and socially relevant interdisciplinary research on gendered mobilities? The Department of Human Geography, Planning and International Development Studies of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences is looking for a postdoctoral researcher to work together with Dr Anna Nikolaeva on a project on gendered mobilities. The Department is a vibrant interdisciplinary community of scholars sharing a focus on studying the spatiality of societal processes. Its research tradition is characterised by its critical and publicly engaged approach to urgent socio-spatial issues. It has four programme groups focusing on research along (sub)disciplinary lines: Urban Geographies, Geographies of Globalisations, Urban Planning, and Governance and Inclusive Development. The postdoctoral researcher will be embedded in the Urban Planning group and is welcome to engage with other communities and networks at the Department and beyond, including Amsterdam Institute of Social Science Research, Centre for Urban Studies, Urban Cycling Institute and others.

As a postdoctoral researcher you will conduct research on gender-related exclusion in urban mobility, investigating how it is maintained and challenged. The research specifically focuses on the epistemic dimensions of gender-insensitivity of urban mobility policy and planning. You will work side-by-side with Dr Anna Nikolaeva on theoretical contributions as well as empirical research. While your activities will take place within a project on an already specified subject, as a mature researcher you are expected to be pro-active in generating ideas during collaborative research and writing. It is most likely that you will spend at least a few weeks abroad for fieldwork. The scope and the site of fieldwork will be defined in consultation with you during the early stages of the project. Please note that for this position you need to move to the Netherlands. You will: - Conduct research on gender-insensitive mobility policy and planning; - Perform literature review and conduct fieldwork using a range of qualitative methods of data collection; - (Co-)write academic articles for submission to international peer-reviewed journals in such fields as human geography, planning, urban studies and mobilities research.

- A PhD degree in human geography, planning, sociology, science and technology studies or a related social science discipline (must be acquired by the start of the employment); - Demonstrated research experience in one or more of the following areas: mobilities, inclusive cities, gender inequalities, feminist geographies; - Experience with using qualitative research methods; - Demonstrated ability to publish in international academic journals; - Excellent oral and written communication skills in English (C2); - Ability to work collaboratively, but also independently. Desirable qualities - The ideal candidate is familiar with “the new mobilities paradigm”, critical mobilities research and feminist geographies; enjoys doing interdisciplinary research and exploring new disciplinary approaches to familiar objects of study; - has interest in how practices of knowledge production and use shape mobility policy and planning; - cares about mobility justice and inclusive cities; - enjoys collaborative research and writing; - is a responsible and reliable colleague with excellent planning and communication skills. Ability to read and conduct research in languages other than English, familiarity with or interest in a wide range of methods (e.g. focus groups, mobile methods, action research), including quantitative methods (in order to be able to discuss critically mainstream practices of knowledge production) are a plus.

The position concerns (temporary) employment of 38 hours per week for a maximum term of 24 months. For this position the University Job Classification profile Researcher applies. The preferred starting date is 1 February, 2023 or as soon as possible thereafter. Depending on your experience, the minimum salary is €3974 and the maximum salary is €5439 gross per month based on a 38-hour working week, in keeping with salary scale 11, as per the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities. We additionally offer an extensive package of secondary benefits, including 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. The UvA offers excellent possibilities for further professional development and education. What else do we offer - a position in which initiative and input are highly valued - an enthusiastic and warm team that is open to new colleagues - an inspiring academic and international working environment in the heart of Amsterdam.

Unfortunately, it seems like this job is not available for international candidates. Unless you’re eligible for a work visa otherwise, please double-check with the company.