PhD Position: Women Building Cities Radboud University in Netherlands

The Department of Anthropology and Development Studies at Radboud University is offering a fully salaried PhD position as part of the NWO-funded project ‘Women building cities: Overcoming violence and transforming the city with communities of care’ (WECARE). This research opportunity focuses on how women in peripheral communities in Latin America transform their urban environments to become more liveable, sustainable, safe, and democratic. The project is led by Dr Sonja Marzi, Assistant Professor, and supported by Dr Tine Davids and Dr Edwin de Jong, who will serve as supervisors.

The WECARE project is a comparative, participatory, and co-production research initiative. As a PhD candidate, you will conduct qualitative fieldwork in low-income neighbourhoods in Lima, Peru, and potentially another Latin American city. The research investigates women’s grassroots place-making, local leadership, and their right to the city, examining how alternative urban spaces and governance systems are created and sustained. The project aims to deepen understanding of alternative urbanism rooted in reciprocal practices of care, focusing on how informal communities thrive despite violence and limited state support.

Your responsibilities include setting up and carrying out in-depth participatory fieldwork, completing a PhD dissertation within four years, authoring and co-authoring publications, participating in conferences and workshops, and contributing to the research team’s organisation and strategy. You will also have teaching duties and the opportunity to work on your University Teaching Qualification portfolio. Training in advanced participatory and audio-visual research methods will be provided by the principal investigator.

Applicants must have a Master’s or Research Master’s degree in Geography, Anthropology, Development Studies, or a related field. Essential qualifications include substantive research interest in urban transformation, urban violence, feminist and gender approaches, social justice, development, and inequality; training in qualitative methods; fieldwork experience; excellent command of English and Spanish; familiarity with Latin American cities; proven academic writing skills; and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. Desired qualifications include training in participatory, co-production, arts-based, and audio-visual methodologies; experience with video editing and filming; experience working with local communities; previous research in Latin America; publishing experience; and willingness to live in the Netherlands, preferably near Nijmegen. English proficiency at C1 level may require a certificate.

The position offers a temporary employment contract (1.0 FTE) for 1.5 years, with possible extension to a total of four years upon positive evaluation. The starting salary is €3,059 gross per month, increasing to €3,881 in the fourth year, plus 8% holiday allowance, 8.3% end-of-year bonus, extra days off, flexible annual leave, pension plan, training and development schemes, and discounts on sports and cultural activities. The research is embedded in the Radboud Social Cultural Research Institute at the Faculty of Social Sciences, aligning with research on changing inequalities.

To apply, submit your application online via the provided link, addressing your letter to Dr Sonja Marzi. The application deadline is 12 April 2026. Longlist candidates will be required to submit a research proposal and writing sample by 1 May. Interviews will take place on 19 May, and the preferred start date is 1 September 2026. For further information about working at Radboud University, visit their website and social media channels.