Radboud University’s Faculty of Social Sciences in Nijmegen, Netherlands, is offering a fully funded PhD position as part of the NWO-funded WECARE project, titled “Women building cities: Overcoming violence and transforming the city with communities of care.” This research opportunity is situated within the Department of Anthropology and Development Studies and focuses on how women in peripheral Latin American communities create safer, more sustainable, and democratic urban spaces through grassroots leadership, alternative governance, and care-based practices.

The project employs a comparative and participatory approach, with fieldwork primarily in Peru and potentially other Latin American cities. The research will explore women’s everyday place-making, local leadership, community responses to violence and marginalisation, and the use of qualitative participatory fieldwork methods, including audio-visual techniques. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with Dr Sonja Marzi (PI), Dr Tine Davids, and Dr Edwin de Jong, and will be expected to conduct several months of in-depth fieldwork in low-income neighbourhoods in Lima, Peru, or another Latin American city.

Key responsibilities include conducting independent fieldwork, developing and completing a PhD dissertation within four years, authoring and co-authoring publications, presenting findings at academic events, contributing to teaching, and participating actively in the department’s academic community. The research aims to deepen understanding of alternative urbanism and city-making rooted in reciprocal practices of care, focusing on how women’s urbanism contributes to more liveable, safe, and sustainable communities.

Applicants must hold a Master’s or Research Master’s degree in Geography, Anthropology, Development Studies, or a related field. Essential qualifications include a strong interest in urban transformation, gender, social justice, and care practices, experience in qualitative and participatory research methods, fieldwork experience, and excellent English and Spanish skills. Familiarity with Latin American cities is required. Desired skills include training in participatory, co-production, arts-based, and audio-visual research methodologies, video editing, and prior research experience in Latin America.

The position offers a full-time, temporary contract (1.5 years initially, extendable to 4 years), with a gross monthly salary starting at €3,059 and rising to €3,881. Additional benefits include an 8% holiday allowance, 8.3% end-of-year bonus, flexible annual leave (30–41 days), pension plan, professional development opportunities, and discounts on sports and cultural activities. The successful candidate is expected to live in the Netherlands, preferably near Nijmegen, and may need to provide proof of English proficiency at C1 level.

To apply, candidates must submit their application via the Radboud University online portal, addressing it to Dr Sonja Marzi. The application deadline is 12 April 2026. Longlisted candidates will be notified by 17 April 2026, with research proposals and writing samples due by 1 May 2026, and interviews scheduled for 19 May 2026. The preferred start date is 1 September 2026. For further information, contact Dr Sonja Marzi at [email protected].