Postdoctoral Researcher - Refugee Care and Pregnant Women

Are you an experienced researcher with an interest in the complexities of refugee accommodation and the health of pregnant women? Would you like to contribute to research that goes beyond conventional measurement methods and highlights the crucial, but often invisible, practices of staff and volunteers in European refugee accommodation centers? Then this position may be for you!

About the Research
We are looking for a postdoctoral Researcher to conduct research on the practices of staff and volunteers in European refugee accommodation centers that contribute to the well-being of pregnant women and their fetuses. We focus on the often-overlooked aspects of care and support, which can be crucial for reducing stress and promoting a healthy pregnancy. We work closely with refugee organizations to realize this research.

What are you going to do

• Conducting interviews with staff, volunteers, and several refugee mothers.
• Co-developing and distributing a survey.
• Short ethnographic fieldwork in refugee accommodation centers.
• Co-writing policy advice in reports or briefs.
• Analyzing data and writing research reports.
• Help us organize a roundtable and/or workshop

What do you have to offer

• You have a PhD in anthropology, sociology, or a related field – or you are nearly done with your PhD trajectory and have time left on your contract
• You have demonstrable experience with qualitative research, including interviews and ethnography.
• You are interested in applied, co-creative research.
• Experience working with vulnerable groups is an advantage.
• You are able to work independently, but also as part of a team.
• You have excellent communication skills (both oral and written) in English and Dutch.
• You take initiative and are a good time manager and planner.
• Affinity with the theme of refugee accommodation and the health of pregnant women.

Due to the predominantly female research population and the sensitivity of the subject, preference will be given to female candidates, in case of equal suitability.

What do we offer you
The position concerns temporary employment of 11,4 hours per week (0.3 fte) for a period of two years. Employment will in principle start on 1 April 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. Possible combination with a PhD trajectory in the final phase is negotiable.

In this team, you will work
You will work in a a meaningful research environment, within an enthusiastic and close-knit, interdisciplinary team consisting of anthropologists and health-specialists. You will have the opportunity to make a crucial contribution to improving care for vulnerable groups and to collaborate with refugee organizations.

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.

If you recognize yourself in this profile and are interested in the role, we look forward to receiving your motivation letter and CV, plus the contact details of 2 references. You can apply via the red button no later than 20 March 2025. Interviews will take place in the last week of March. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be given preference over external candidates.

For questions about the vacancy, you can contact Principal Investigator Roanne van Voorst, r.s.vanvoorst@uva.nl.

11.4 hours per week

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