PhD in Heritage and Tourism: Witch Hunts as a Gendered Traumascape Erasmus University Rotterdam in Netherlands

PhD opportunity at Erasmus University Rotterdam in Heritage and Tourism, focused on witch hunts as a gendered traumascape. The project sits within the broader Traumascapes research programme and examines how memories of early modern witch persecutions are represented, interpreted, and mobilised today in heritage and tourism contexts.

The research will look at museums, walking routes, local storytelling initiatives, digital platforms, and contemporary witch-identifying or pagan communities in the Netherlands. It combines history, heritage studies, tourism studies, gender studies, and qualitative social research, with methods such as discourse analysis, site-based observation, and interviews. The project also includes thematic comparison with other traumascapes and contributes to academic articles, conferences, and the wider consortium.

This is a paid PhD position (0.8–1.0 fte) with a salary of €3,059–€3,881 gross per month on a full-time basis, under the Dutch university collective agreement. The contract starts on 1 September 2026, initially for 1 year and extendable by 3 more years.

Eligibility highlights: a completed Master’s degree (preferably Research Master’s) in Cultural Studies, Heritage Studies, History, Religious Studies, Anthropology, Media Studies, Tourism Studies, or a related field; strong English academic writing (C1); good communication skills; and Dutch at B2 level or willingness to learn Dutch. Applicants should also provide GPA details, thesis grade, degree type, and a thesis or writing sample.

Deadline: 7 May 2026. Apply through the EUR vacancy page with a motivation letter and CV, and include the requested academic documents.