The Sociology of Development and Change (SDC) Group at Wageningen University & Research (WUR) is offering a fully funded PhD position as part of the NWO-Vidi project “Sprawling Servers.” This research focuses on rural engagements with hyperscale data centers and infrastructural promises, with a specific subproject based in Leopoldina, Brazil. The project investigates how rural residents experience, interpret, and respond to development promises related to hyperscale data centers and associated infrastructures, using comparative ethnographic research across Brazil, Fiji, and the Netherlands. The successful candidate will conduct 12 months of in-depth ethnographic fieldwork in Brazil, examining the intersection of development, infrastructure, digitalization, and datafication in rural contexts. The research will consider historical, current, and future perspectives on infrastructural development and its impact on rural communities. The project is embedded in a collaborative team led by Dr. Stephanie Ketterer (Associate Professor, SDC) and Dr. Martijn Koster, with opportunities for co-authorship, conference participation, and engagement in the vibrant academic community at WUR. Applicants must have a completed (Research) Master’s degree in anthropology, development studies, geography, media studies, or a related field, with proven experience in ethnographic and qualitative research methods. Experience in small town Latin America or on topics related to political anthropology, digitalization, or infrastructure development is highly valued. Candidates should have lived, worked, or studied in the Global South, preferably Brazil or Latin America, and must demonstrate excellent command of English and Portuguese (C1 level, with certificate if required). Residence in the Netherlands (preferably near Wageningen) is mandatory for the duration of the PhD. The position offers a gross salary from €3,059 to €3,881 per month (scale P, CAO-NU), a temporary 18-month contract extended upon good performance, access to campus sports facilities, a tailored PhD training programme, and additional benefits such as a year-end bonus and pension scheme. International staff receive support with visa procedures and may be eligible for tax exemptions. The anticipated start date is 15 August 2026, with the application deadline on 8 March 2026. Interviews will be held in late March or early April 2026. To apply, submit a CV, a one-page motivation letter, a research proposal (max 500 words), and names and contact details of two academic referees via the WUR vacancy website. For more information, contact Dr. Stephanie Ketterer at [email protected].

Wageningen University & Research (WUR) is inviting applications for a fully funded PhD position in the Sociology of Development and Change (SDC) Group, focusing on rural engagements with hyperscale data centers and infrastructural promises in Fiji. This opportunity is part of the NWO-Vidi project “Sprawling Servers,” which investigates how rural residents interact with the development narratives surrounding hyperscale data centers and related digital infrastructures, such as undersea cables. The research adopts a comparative ethnographic approach and is embedded in a broader project spanning Fiji, Brazil, and the Netherlands. The successful candidate will conduct twelve months of fieldwork in Fiji, exploring how reports, rumours, and expectations about data infrastructures shape everyday life, development imaginaries, environmental concerns, employment prospects, and state relations. The project is ideal for those interested in political anthropology, rural development, digitalisation, and the sociology of infrastructure. The research team includes two PhD researchers and the Principal Investigator, Dr Stephanie Ketterer, with supervision also provided by Dr Martijn Koster (WUR) and Prof. Glenn Banks (Massey University, New Zealand). The position includes a secondary affiliation with Massey University. Eligibility: Applicants must hold a completed (Research) Master’s degree in anthropology, development studies, geography, media studies, or a related field. Proven experience with ethnographic and qualitative research methods is required, ideally in Fiji or the Pacific. Candidates should demonstrate a strong interest in political anthropology, development, infrastructure, digitalisation, and datafication, as well as experience living, working, or researching in the Global South. Excellent command of English (C1 level) is required; knowledge of iTaukei is an asset or willingness to learn. Strong academic writing, organisational, and collaborative skills are essential. Candidates must be willing to live in the Netherlands; remote PhD is not possible. Funding: The position is fully funded, with a gross monthly salary ranging from €3,059 to €3,881 (scale P, CAO-NU) for a full-time 38-hour work week. The contract is initially for 18 months, extendable upon satisfactory performance, and includes excellent employment benefits such as partially paid parental leave, a year-end bonus, pension scheme, and support for international staff including visa assistance. Tuition is covered and a tailored course program is provided. Application Process: Apply via the Wageningen University & Research vacancy portal by submitting a CV, motivation letter, research proposal, and contact details of two academic referees by 8 March 2026. Only applications through the official website will be considered. For more information, contact Dr Stephanie Ketterer at [email protected]. This PhD offers the opportunity to join a collaborative, international research team and contribute to innovative research at the intersection of anthropology, sociology, geography, and media studies, with a focus on rural development and digital infrastructures in Fiji.