Interested in understanding how food support systems shape and are shaped by people in poverty? Are you passionate about ethnographic research?
One of these 3 PhD positions may be right for you!
Job Description Are you interested in understanding how food support systems shape and are shaped by people living in poverty? Do you have a passion for ethnographic research and want to explore the institutional context and relationships between food charities in diverse cities? Would you like to be part of an interdisciplinary team examining the intersection of food insecurity, urban poverty, and food support systems across Italy, Japan, and the Netherlands? If these questions resonate with you and you have a background in sociology or a related discipline, one of these PhD positions may be right for you!
This project, supported by an ERC Starting Grant, investigates the dynamics of charitable food provision in three distinct welfare and civil society regimes—Italy, Japan, and the Netherlands. Each PhD candidate will focus on one country and conduct fieldwork in one of the three cities, Palermo (Italy), Kyoto (Japan), or Rotterdam (Netherlands), to explore the relationships between food charities, local authorities, and people in need.
Responsibilities We seek three PhD candidates, each focusing on one country and city, who will:
- Map key stakeholders and collect historical data on the emergence of food charities in their respective countries;
- Conduct 12 months of ethnographic fieldwork in either Palermo, Kyoto, or Rotterdam, starting with volunteering in one or two food charities. You will then follow individuals relying on food support to understand their survival strategies and how they navigate the charitable food provision (CFP) field;
- Conduct semi-structured interviews with food charity directors and other key actors to gather qualitative and social network data;
- Co-organize two living labs with stakeholders in their city during and after the fieldwork to foster dialogue and collaboration. Additionally, participate in a final online living lab with stakeholders from all three cities;
- Write and submit a PhD dissertation composed of four journal articles, aiming to have one article published, one under review, and two ready for submission by the end of the project;
- Participate in the project’s meetings, establish a reading group on urban ethnography, and engage in the wider activities of the Maastricht Sustainability Institute (MSI);
- Present and share research results at international conferences such as RC21, ESA, and ISTR.
Collaboration and Teamwork You will work closely with a collaborative team comprising three PhD candidates, one postdoc, and the Principal Investigator (PI). The project emphasizes open science and team ethnography, with shared fieldnotes and collective analysis. Each PhD candidate will primarily focus on one city but contribute to the broader team’s activities and insights.
PhD candidates are expected to reside in the Netherlands and work from Maastricht, except during their fieldwork periods.
Requirements We are looking for motivated and collaborative individuals who meet the following criteria:
- An MA degree in sociology or a related discipline, with a strong interest in urban sociology, poverty, and (food) sustainability.
- Demonstrable experience with ethnographic research, ideally in Italy, Japan, or the Netherlands.
- Excellent communication skills in English, as well as proficiency in the relevant language (Italian, Japanese, or Dutch, depending on the focus country/city).
- Strong analytical and writing skills.
- Knowledge of relational ethnography and field theory (especially Strategic Action Field theory) is preferable.
- Curiosity about methodology, open science practices, and a willingness to experiment with new approaches.
What we offerAs a PhD candidate at the School of Business and Economics, 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 according to UFO profile PhD, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €2901,00 in the first year and €3707,00 gross per month in the fourth year (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 18 months with a scope of 1,0 FTE. Upon a positive evaluation, an extension of 2.5 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.
The School of Business and Economics The School of Business and Economics (SBE) is one of Maastricht University’s six faculties. Our mission is to contribute to a better world by addressing societal problems, by co-creating knowledge and developing team players and leaders for the future.
By joining SBE, you will be part of the 1% of business schools worldwide to be Triple Crown accredited (EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA). You will join an inspiring and international environment, where learning and development is priority.
Department The Maastricht Sustainability Institute (MSI) operates within the field of sustainability science, an emerging discipline that integrates science, policy, and society to address sustainable development challenges and develop new pathways toward sustainability. Researchers at MSI employ a diverse range of theories and methods to work at the intersection of science, policy, and society. Our expertise is also reflected in our sustainability education programs at the bachelor, master, and PhD levels. With a multidisciplinary staff and international student body, we foster a supporting learning community.
Curious? Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Filippo Oncini at
Filippo.oncini@maastrichtuniversity.nl for more information. Do you have any questions regarding the procedure, please contact Manon Souren (Recruiter) at
manon.souren@maastrichtuniversity.nl or phone +31 6 34577732.
Applying? Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new PhD candidate? Apply now, no later than 9 March 2025, for this position.
Please upload your CV, motivation letter, grade list, contact information for two referees, research plan, and publication list. In your motivation letter, ensure you specify your preferred country of fieldwork and include evidence of language proficiency in the required languages for conducting research in that location.
The first interviews will preferably take place at the end of March / beginning of April 2025.
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.