Maria Lexhagen

The Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication (ESHCC) at Erasmus University Rotterdam invites applications for a fully funded PhD position as part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network, HERITOUR. This interdisciplinary network explores collaborative synergies between cultural heritage and tourism, focusing on hybridisation, sustainability, resilience, and democratisation. The successful candidate will join a vibrant international consortium including Erasmus University Rotterdam, University of Stavanger, Middle East Technical University, University of Aruba, Mid Sweden University, and University of Granada. This PhD project critically investigates how ethnic, religious, and sexual minorities are represented within European heritage tourism, with a special focus on sites shaped by popular culture and media. The research will analyse how film, television, literature, music, games, and digital platforms construct tourism imaginaries—shared narratives that define heritage, visibility, and belonging. The project draws on media studies and critical heritage studies to examine how representation, regulation, and access intersect in heritage tourism, and how governance frameworks and risk-management logics shape inclusion and exclusion at heritage sites. Methodologically, the project employs multi-sited qualitative ethnography at selected media-related and popular-culture heritage sites across Europe and its overseas territories. It will explore how minority narratives are framed, contested, or marginalised within interpretative strategies, diversity policies, and everyday management practices. The research aims to reconcile heritage protection with social justice through participatory and reflexive approaches to heritage management. The position is embedded in Work Package 4 “democratisation” and is supervised by Prof. Stijn Reijnders and Dr. Naomi Oosterman (Erasmus University Rotterdam), and Prof. Maria Lexhagen (Mid Sweden University). The doctoral candidate will benefit from secondments at Cas di Cultura (Aruba) and KORDER (Türkiye), as well as intensive training schools and seminars organised by the HERITOUR consortium and the Erasmus Research Institute for Media, Culture, History and Society (ERMeCHS). Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity in the European or Caribbean territories of the Kingdom of the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 36 months before the start date (1 September 2026), unless as part of compulsory national service or refugee status procedure. Candidates must not already possess a doctoral degree. A (research) master's degree or equivalent in a relevant social sciences or humanities discipline (such as cultural heritage, sociology, tourism studies, media studies, anthropology, or related fields) is required. Familiarity with and interest in qualitative research methods, independent thinking, critical analytical skills, strong collaboration abilities, and excellent oral and written English (CEFR C1) are essential. Motivation to conduct high-level research and publish internationally is expected. The position offers a gross monthly salary of €3,059–€3,881 (full-time, 38 hours/week) for three years, in accordance with the Dutch CAO-NU, plus 8% holiday pay, 8.3% end-of-year bonus, pension contributions, paid leave, and additional benefits. The start date is 1 September 2026. The ESHCC provides a supportive, diverse, and inclusive work environment, with opportunities for professional development, work-life balance, and international collaboration. To apply, submit a completed and signed Declaration of Honours, a motivation letter (max. half A4), your CV with publication list (if applicable), a brief research idea (max. 300 words), and names/contact details of two potential references by 19 April 2026 via the official EUR application portal. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an online interview in May 2026. The position welcomes applicants of all backgrounds and identities.