PhD Candidate in the Cultures of Palestine Solidarity in Europe

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Department of Literature and Culture is looking for a PhD Candidate in the Cultures of Palestine Solidarity in Europe, 1.0fte, 4 years.

You are invited to apply for a PhD position on the cultural histories of Palestine solidarity and cultural activism in Europe. This position is funded by a Starting Grant from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Maastricht University. The grant holder, lead supervisor, and co-promoter for this PhD position is dr. Faisal Hamadah and the promoter is prof. dr. Eliza Steinbock.

Research project
Since Israel began its most recent onslaught on Gaza in October 2023, there has been a mass global social mobilization in support of Palestinian autonomy, freedom and liberation. This movement is particularly noticeable in Europe, where public opinion and action has been in strong contrast to institutional and political positions taken by universities, governments and most public bodies. This social mobilization is particularly striking in the intersectional nature of its social makeup, its creative use of social media and direct action, and in its consistency.

While seemingly unprecedented, this social movement did not emerge in a vacuum. Since the moment of formal decolonization and the Third World independence struggles of the post-war period, the question of Palestine has been a central node in transnational solidarity. Artists, scholars, and activists have turned to Palestine and the struggles of Palestinian people as both a lodestar for transnational solidarity and as an inspiration for progressive struggle and demands for freedom, justice, liberation and democracy. These networks have relied on a variety of forms of solidarity and struggle ranging from calls for boycott, divestment and sanctions, to direct action against Israeli weapons manufacturers, to cultural activism that has aimed to amplify Palestinian voices in the European public sphere and demonstrate the creativity and diversity of Palestinian cultural production.

This PhD project will investigate, through a postcolonial and transnational lens, the forms of Palestine solidarity in Europe in the modern era. The project can include, but is not limited to, researching the networks of Palestine solidarity in Europe in one or more of the following ways:

• The development of the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) campaign as an organized demand in Europe
• The instantiation of Palestine Studies as a field within European universities
• The historical roots of transnational networks of Palestine solidarity activism
• Development of diverse forms of cultural activism (films festivals, music festivals)
• Organizational cultures of the protest movement
• The rise of social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, telegram etc.) as key mediums in developing transnational solidarity
• The role of diasporic Muslim and/or Arab communities in Palestine solidarity
• Transnational networks of Palestinian migration to Europe
• Crossovers between Palestine solidarity and other forms of cultural activism (Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ+ activism, other forms of decolonial activism)
• Other infrastructures, institutions, and cultural forms of solidarity and struggle

In retrieving these historical roots for the cultures of Palestine solidarity in Europe, the project will offer a cartography of progressive activism and international solidarity. We welcome applicants interested in comparative and transnational approaches to the topic.

Your research will be located in the Maastricht University Globalization, Transnational and Development research programme at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences: https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/fasos-research-institute/research-programmes/globalisation-transnationalism-and-development

You will also be a member of the Center for Gender and Diversity: https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/research/centre-gender-and-diversity

Job Description
You will:

• Determine a specific research focus for your project by surveying relevant literature and archives.
• Conduct archival research, and potentially oral histories, in one or more countries. For this, travel will be required.
• Learn and apply historical methodologies relevant to this project.
• Regularly meet with the supervisory team to discuss your progress.
• Within the first three months, and in collaboration with the supervisory team, produce a training and supervision plan that specifies your research project, thesis format, and graduate training in more detail.
• After approximately six months, produce a detailed research plan on the historiography, methodology, and work plan for your thesis.
• Write academic publications, which you may co-author with members of the supervisory team.
• Take part in training by the Graduate School of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
• Write and defend your PhD thesis, usually in the form of either a submitted/published articles (an “articles” thesis) or a monograph (a “book” thesis).
• Gain experience in some teaching activities (e.g. tutor group meetings, thesis supervision) within FASoS’s problem-based learning setting.
• Potentially acquire the University Teaching Qualification (UTQ). This will be discussed with the successful candidate.
• Engage in a limited amount of teaching activities, such as tutoring courses or supervising BA theses.

This is a full-time position. The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences offers BA programmes in Arts & Culture, and Global Studies. Information on those and other FASoS teaching programmes can be found on our website.

Requirements
You hold an MA/MSc degree in History, Literary and Cultural Studies, Politics, Media Studies, or a related discipline (or are expected to obtain such a degree by 1 September 2024). You have received excellent grades and you have an obvious interest in academic research, particularly historical research methods. You are capable of autonomously conducting original research as well as working in a team. You are fluent in English (Cambridge English Proficiency, level C2, oral and written). It is highly encouraged that the candidate is also fluent in Arabic.

What we offer

As PhD Candidate in the Cultures of Palestine Solidarity in Europe at Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:

• Good employment conditions. The position is graded in scale PhD according to UFO profile PhD, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €2770,00 and €3539,00 gross per month (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
• An employment contract for a period of 12 months with a scope of 1,0 FTE. Upon a positive evaluation, an extension of 3 years will follow.
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model.
• As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students.
• Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as 'acknowledge and appreciate'.

The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, click here.

Maastricht University
Why work at Maastricht University?
At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.

In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.

With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.

Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.

Click here for more information about UM.

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences FASoS is a close-knit community of approximately 250 staff members and 2100 students. During breaks and before meetings, you can often find us at our favourite local coffee spot Bandito Espresso.

Communication lines within our faculty are short and colleagues are always ready to assist each other. FASoS consists of a highly international student population and a significant part of our staff comes from abroad. Our faculty offers four bachelor programs, eight masters programs and two research master programs that are all characterized by their interdisciplinary approach.

Our research institute studies societies and cultures as they have developed in the modern and contemporary periods. We adopt a radically interdisciplinary approach, analysing the interconnections between Europeanization, globalization, scientific and technological advancement, political change, and cultural innovation.

In addition to teaching and research, our colleagues enjoy expressing themselves creatively. They create podcasts, write poetry as well as fiction.

Working at FASoS means working in a challenging yet informal environment. We believe in crafting your own career path and are always ready to help you in making the most of your job. For more information about FASoS, you can visit our website FASoS

Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact dr. Faisal Hamadah at [email protected] for more information.

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new PhD in Cultures of Palestine Solidarity? Apply now, no later than Monday 13 May closing at midnight for this position.

Please upload your CV, motivation letter, grade list, contact information of 2 referees, research plan and publication list.

The first interviews preferably take place on 10-13 June. The second interviews will preferably be held on 24-26 June.

An orientation day will be part of the application procedure.

A reference check will be part of the application procedure.

An assessment will be part of the application procedure.

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.

38 hours per week

Grote Gracht 90-92