Are you interested in capacity-building for professionals, policy makers and city residents involved in disaster preparedness to better support people with vulnerabilities during crises? Are you excited to dive into a complex transdisciplinary project to understand lessons learned and creatively communicate scientific results? Is your ambition to further develop your skills in facilitating results reflections and developing training and webinars for a European wide research project?

The department of Anthropology, programme group Health, Care & The Body, of the faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences is looking for a Research Assistant to participate in the capacity strengthening work package of a European Commission funded 3-year project called Social sciences participatory research-action for preparedness in risk management for disasters and health emergencies in Europe’s cities, or Sonar-Cities in short.

Developed through the sonar-global network (www.sonar-global.eu), this project aims to reduce inequality and vulnerabilities among urban inhabitants through the co-creation of an inclusive, citizen-centred, participatory, tailored toolset to strengthen individual, community, and municipal authority capacities to understand, prepare for, and cope more effectively with emergencies and disasters.

The project’s approach is to analyze the health consequences of past disasters and health emergencies in six European cities (Groningen, Ljubljana, Udine, Vienna, Zagreb, and Stockholm), leveraging transdisciplinary social science research and explicitly including the perspectives of people experiencing vulnerabilities. We will mobilize these analyses to co-create - with publics at risk, first-responders, and authorities - an inclusive, citizen-centered toolset. This will comprise tested, evaluated tools and methods housed on a user-friendly platform. It will generate inclusive preparedness, improved health literacy, crisis communication and risk reduction, and a more integrated One Health approach for disasters and health emergencies in European cities.

What are you going to do
You will provide the main support for a small team consisting of a postdoc and two senior researchers in the development of the work package. The job essentially entails documentation of the project process and results using qualitative research techniques, and supporting the need for an interactive, vibrant learning culture across the project. You will work closely with the project postdoctoral researcher, as well as the boarder project network of international partners.

Your tasks

As part of your role, you will ethnographically document and closely follow the project, ensuring a thorough understanding of its progress. You will also organize reflection meetings with project partners and stakeholders to foster collaboration and share insights. By distilling and communicating key lessons learned, you will contribute to the project's overall impact. Additionally, you will map and publish emergency response trainings that align with the project’s goals. Lastly, you will play a crucial role in supporting the development of the Sonar-Cities Knowledge Platform, helping to build a valuable resource for future initiatives.

Also you will:

• organize and conduct trainings and webinars;
• build a massive open-online course (MOOC) on the project results;
• support the publication of results.

What do you have to offer
A successful candidate understands that research is more than data collection alone and has an eye and interest in the processes underlying shared learning and communication of project results. You show ambition in the fields of knowledge management and project monitoring and evaluation. Experience with ethnographic data collection is desirable. We are looking for an open-minded person who is able to dive into a complex international project and professionally engage with research partners, professionals and the broader public. You must demonstrate an interest in the field of disaster preparedness and response and/or urban planning, and commitment to justice and inclusiveness of vulnerable populations, such as people living with disabilities, psychiatric patients, or older people.

Your experience and profile

• master’s level degree;
• knowledge of tools and techniques related to science communication, including usage of social media, training tools (e.g. Coursera) and supporting online webinars;
• knowledge of the fields of disaster preparedness, urban planning and/or inclusive development;
• experience supporting complex projects networks and working effectively in small teams.

Ethnographic experience is desirable; excellent English language skills, with a second language relevant to the project are highly desired.

What can we offer you
The position concerns temporary employment of 15 hours per week. The initial employment is for one year with a probationary period of 2 months and will start on 1 December 2024. Following a positive assessment and barring altered circumstances, the initial term may be extended for a period to 30 November 2027. We will support opportunities to attend training courses and both national and international events.

Your initial salary will be €2,793 to €3,028 gross per month based on a 38-hour working week, in keeping with salary scale 7, 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 inspiring academic and international working environment in the heart of Amsterdam;
• an opportunity to become part of an international network of European applied researchers and professionals.

About us
The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest spectrum of degree programmes. It is an intellectual hub with 39,000 students, 6,000 employees and 3,000 doctoral students who are all committed to a culture of inquiring minds.

A challenging work environment with a variety of duties and ample scope for individual initiative and development within an inspiring organization. The social and behavioral sciences play a leading role in addressing the major societal challenges faced by the world, the Netherlands and Amsterdam, now and in the future.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

Questions
Do you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact:

Dr. Danny de Vries,

Project leader,

E: d.h.devries@uva.nl

Job Application
If this vacancy speaks to you, but you are uncertain whether you meet all requirements, please do get in touch with us or apply. In light of our department’s commitment to a diverse and inclusive working environment, we strongly encourage applications from candidates who come from groups historically disenfranchised by and underrepresented in Dutch academia.

Do you recognize yourself in the job profile? Then we look forward to receiving your motivation letter and resume combined in one .pdf no later than 20 October 2024.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a job interview.

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritise diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.

No agencies please.

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