1. Publication date
28 February 2019
2. Closing date
18 March 2019
3. Organisational Unit
Department of Social Anthropology and History, School of Social Sciences, University of the Aegean, Lesvos, Greece
Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences - Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research
4. Level of Education
Masters (research) degree in the social and human sciences for example: social anthropology, human or political geography, sociology,political science, law or international relations.
5. Scope of work
Full time, for four years.
6. Salary indication
2.000 Euros per month
7. Title
Researcher (PhD candidate) with a focus on on-the-ground issues of migration governance and (humanitarian) protection.
8. Vacancy type
PhD Research Position
9. Introduction
The PhD will work in a common project of the Universities of Aegean and Amsterdam, entitled Advancing Alternative Migration Governance. The PhD will be hired at the Department of Social Anthropology and History of the University of the Aegean, Lesvos, Greece, and will be supervised by professors from both the University of the Aegean and the University of Amsterdam.The bigger project is coordinated at the University of Amsterdam.
The University of the Aegean was founded in 1984 with the aim to introduce new approaches in higher education in Greece and to promote regional development. In less than thirty years, it has evolved into an international research–oriented University offering 18 undergraduate (BA or BSc) and 40 postgraduate (MA or MSc) programmes in a number of modern interdisciplinary thematic areas, many international postgraduate programs as well as joined PhD degree programmes in a wide range of thematic areas. The University of the Aegean has created a strong international academic and research profile, having been an active member of the European Universities Association (EUA), a founding partner of the Centre of Research and Studies for the Eastern Mediterranean (Cremo), member of the EMUNI Senate, partner in many academic and research networks and participant in more than 210 bilateral and LLP Erasmus academic agreements. In the School of Social Sciences (Mytilene) there is a large network of scholars working on migration.
The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is a university with an internationally acclaimed profile, located at the heart of the Dutch capital. There is a good network of scholars who work on migration and migration related subjects, and on human rights and protection issues.
In the larger research project “ADMIGOV: Advancing Alternative Migration Governance” Greece, the Netherlands and 8 other countries are involved (more information http://www.uva.nl/en/shared-content/faculteiten/en/faculteit-der-maatschappij-en-gedragswetenschappen/news/2018/07/towards-an-alternative-migration-policy.html). The project is led by the University of Amsterdam and funded by the European Union’sHorizon 2020 research and innovation program.
The exact starting date will be determined later, preferably around March 2019. The candidate will be supervised by Prof. Evthymios Papataxiarchis (University of the Aegean), Prof. Marlies Glasius (University of Amsterdam), and Dr. Polly Pallister-Wilkins (University of Amsterdam).
10. Job / Project Description
The PhD research will focus on the on-the-ground situation in Greece using ethnographic methods and participant observation to investigate the situation of migrants in the context of the ‘refugee crisis’ and the hotspot approach with a focus on issues of protection.
Protection is a key subjectinthe ADMIGOV project. The project aims to study key issues in migrant protection; successes and failures in protection provision; key sites of protection; key protection practices from grassroots efforts to state and transnational actitivities; and the key actors in providing protection.
The successful candidate will conduct fieldwork in Greece with migrants, those engaged in providing protection and members of local societies. S/he willanalyse protection primarily as an everyday practice in the wider context of applied policies. S/he will enquire into the multiple meanings of protection for all those involved and particularlyconsider the ways in which protection professionals (e.g. humanitarian actors), activists and volunteers identify and understand protection issues and needs and how these actors go about providing and meeting such needs. The PhD project is expected to make both an independent conceptual contribution to our understanding of migrant protection and protection work in the contemporary period and to generate data of use to the larger ADMIGOV project. Knowledge of relevant literatures, and experience with ethnographic fieldwork are important while knowledge of quantitative methods including the analysis of survey data is an asset. The candidate must have a high-level of written and spoken Greekand English.
Tasks:
The successful candidate will be expected to have a high level of competence and motivation to undertake the following tasks:
- Complete and defend a PhD thesis within the official appointment duration (four years);
- Undertake mainly ethnographic fieldwork and participant observation and gather data relevant and available to the overall project;
- Contribute (both as sole author and as co-author) to the writing up of reports for the European Union and research papers to be submitted to scientific journals;
- Regularly present intermediate research results at international workshops and conferences;
- When necessary work with relevant policy makers and practitioners.
- Contribute to the organisation of research activities and events of the ADMIGOV project, such as conferences, workshops and joint publications.
11. Requirements
Ideal candidates:
- Hold a master’s degree in a field relevant to the theme of the research, in particular social and human sciences, anthropology, human or political geography, sociology, migration studies, politics, law or international relations.
- Are persons with initiative, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work independently as well as in a team;
- Have well-developed analytical skills as well as creativity and perseverance;
- Possess good academic writing, presentation and organisational skills;
- Can demonstrate a strong interest in the topic of this PhD project;
- Are familiar with some of the academic literatures and policy areas relevant to the project;
- Preferably have experience with qualitative research methodology, especially participant observation and interviews;
- Preferably have experience with quantitative methods and the analysis of survey data;
- Preferably have experience in the field of humanitarian governance;
- Be willing to spend time in Lesbos and Amsterdam.
- Are able to communicate effectively in Greek and English both orally and in writing.
12. Further Information
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from Ms. Maria Doukakarou (tel: +30 22510 36330, e-mail: info_ro@aegean.gr) or Ms. Dafni Montesantou (tel: +30 22510 36776, e-mail: dmontesantou@aegean.gr).
13. Appointment
The appointment will be on a temporary basis for a period of 4 years for 38 hours per week. In the first instance, a contract will be given for 12 months; if positively evaluated, the contract will be extended for another 36 months.
The exact start date will be determined later, but preferably in April 2019.
14. Job Application
Applications must contain:
- a motivation letter;
- a full CV;
- an official transcript of the grades during your undergraduate and graduate studies as well as the relevant diplomas;
- a research plan of maximum 2,000 words. The research plan should outline how you would approach the research topic, including the kinds of questions the project might ask, the methods it might use and the theories to which it might connect;
- two letters of reference.
If you have a TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge International certificate of English, please add this also to the letter. If you do not have one, you can send this after selection.
Applications should be sent by post to:
University of the Aegean – Research Unit
c/o ADMIGOV project Job Vacancy
ELE_2019_1640)
University Hill _ Administration Building
PC. 81100, Mytilene
Unit of Financial and Administrative Support
Office ΙΣ 2.18
Tel.No : 22510-36700
The candidates for this position will hold an interview at the University of the Aegean (Lesvos) in situ or through Skype.
For the full, official advertisement of the position, please visit https://diavgeia.gov.gr/doc/%CE%A9%CE%A4%CE%99%CE%98469%CE%927%CE%9B-738?inline=true
Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered.