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, build capacity and creatively communicate scientific results? Is your ambition to professionalize in knowledge management, capacity strengthening, and become the lead trainer 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 Postdoctoral Researcher 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-centered, 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 be the main work package coordinator in a small team consisting of a research assistant and senior researcher(s). You will work closely with the research assistant and serve as main project liaison to the broad international network of researchers and stakeholders.

Your tasks

As part of your role, you will develop and implement an innovative project learning program, setting professional standards in an international environment with high visibility. You will lead the training program, be the face of international webinars, and set the standards for the development of the project Knowledge Platform implemented by an IT project partner.

You will also

• document and follow the project, distilling and disseminating key lessons learned;
• coordinate and support the research assistant’s activities, including ethnographic documentation and mapping of existing emergency response trainings;
• liaise with the project partner to set the standards and develop the Sonar-Cities Knowledge Platform;
• develop the curriculum and program for project trainings, webinars and the final massive open-online course (MOOC) on the project results;
• lead 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 experience in interdisciplinary training, knowledge management, project monitoring and evaluation, qualitative data collection, and publication of results in peer-reviewed journals. We are looking for an open-minded person who is able to dive into a complex international project and engage with research partners, professionals and the broader public. Aptitude in dealing with digital infrastructures is highly desired (e.g. Coursera training platform, hosting webinars on Teams, etc.). 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

• minimum PhD level education (near PhD can be considered, if highly qualified);
• experience leading trainings and developing curricula;
• aptitude to learn about digital infrastructures and knowledge platforms;
• knowledge of the fields of disaster preparedness, urban planning and/or inclusive development;
• experience supporting complex projects networks and working effectively in small teams;
• experience developing peer-reviewed publications;
• excellent English language skills, with a second language relevant to the project highly desired.

What can we offer you
The position concerns temporary employment of 19 hours per week for a maximum term of three years. The initial employment is for one year 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. For this position the University Job Classification profile “Onderzoeker 4” or “Onderzoeker 3” applies.

Depending on your relevant work experience and qualifications, the minimum salary is €4,185 and the maximum salary is €4,812 gross per month based on a 38-hour working week, in keeping with salary scale 10 / 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 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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