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].