Position 1 (222237)
Applications are invited for a fully funded, four-year PhD position within the research project Environmental Histories of Resource Extraction in Africa: Understanding Cultural and Political Responses to Environmental Transformation, financed by the European Research Council (ERC) and led by Dr Iva Peša.
Through a comparative study of three African localities of resource extraction (oil drilling in Nigeria; copper mining in Zambia; gold mining in South Africa), focusing on the period 1950-2020, this project aims to analyse and explain the diversity of cultural and political responses to environmental transformation. The PhD candidate will conduct an in-depth case study in the Niger Delta (to be discussed, this may include the oil refinery in Alesa Eleme or the 1970 oil spill in Ejama Ebubu and its aftermath). This PhD project will involve a research stay in the Niger Delta of c. 9 months. Using oral history, archives, popular literature (novels and poems), and songs, the PhD candidate will examine lived experiences of environmental transformation caused by oil extraction. The motivation of this project is to understand when, how, and why environmentalism found expression in African localities of resource extraction.
The discovery of oil in the Niger Delta in 1956 precipitated massive oil spills, violent conflict over oil revenues, and vocal environmental protest movements. This project aims to historicise these environmental conflicts and to understand why people reacted differently to environmental change. The PhD candidate will be part of a larger team (PI, PhD student on South Africa, and two post-doctoral researchers who will join the project in 2023), collaborating closely with the University of Port Harcourt and local partners.
This PhD project offers a unique opportunity to work in an international research environment as well as to acquire valuable teaching experience (to be discussed). In addition, the PhD candidate will collaborate with the other team members to organise conferences and workshops, and to plan outreach activities.
For additional queries regarding the project and if you would like to get access to the full project proposal, please get in touch with the project’s PI, Dr Iva Peša: i.pesa@rug.nl
Position 2 (222238)
Applications are invited for a fully funded, four-year PhD position within the research project Environmental Histories of Resource Extraction in Africa: Understanding Cultural and Political Responses to Environmental Transformation, financed by the European Research Council (ERC) and led by Dr Iva Peša.
Through a comparative study of three African localities of resource extraction (oil drilling in Nigeria; copper mining in Zambia; gold mining in South Africa), focusing on the period 1950-2020, this project aims to analyse and explain the diversity of cultural and political responses to environmental transformation. The PhD candidate will conduct an in-depth case study of a mining waste dump in Johannesburg (to be discussed). This PhD project will involve a research stay in Johannesburg of c. 9 months. Using oral history, archives, popular literature (novels and poems), and songs, the PhD candidate will examine lived experiences of environmental transformation caused by gold mining. The motivation of this project is to understand when, how, and why environmentalism found expression in African localities of resource extraction.
Since the Witwatersrand gold rush of 1886, industrial gold mining has fundamentally shaped Johannesburg’s urban environment. This project aims to determine how inhabitants of Johannesburg have experienced and lived with gold mining and ensuing environmental change. The PhD candidate will be part of a larger team (PI, PhD student on Nigeria, and two post-doctoral researchers who will join the project in 2023), collaborating closely with the University of Pretoria (African Observatory for Environmental Humanities) and local partners.
This PhD project offers a unique opportunity to work in an international research environment as well as to acquire valuable teaching experience (to be discussed). In addition, the PhD candidate will collaborate with the other team members to organise conferences and workshops, and to plan outreach activities.
For additional queries regarding the project and if you would like to get access to the full project proposal, please get in touch with the project’s PI, Dr Iva Peša: i.pesa@rug.nl
Applications
Applications should be in English and contain the following materials:
- short statement (c. 1,000 words), explaining your motivation for applying
- curriculum vitae
- copies of MA diploma and list of grades
- copy of MA thesis
- contact details of two academic referees (no letter of recommendation is required; only the referees of shortlisted candidates will be contacted).
You may apply by sending your application as two PDF files (one for the MA thesis, and one for all other documents) until 31 May 11:59pm / before 1 June 2022 Dutch local time (CET) by means of the application form (click on "Apply" below on the advertisement on the university website). Please send in all other documents as your ‘letter of application’ and your MA Thesis as ‘extra attachment’.
Interviews with selected candidates will be held in mid-June 2022.
Apply Position 1:
https://www.rug.nl/about-ug/work-with-us/job-opportunities/?reply=00347-02S00094QP
Apply Position 2:
https://www.rug.nl/about-ug/work-with-us/job-opportunities/?reply=00347-02S00094RP