PhD Position: Reclaiming EdTech Imaginaries (NWO Vidi) – Digital Autonomy in European Education Utrecht University in Netherlands

This PhD position, part of the NWO Vidi project "Reclaiming the Digital Classroom (RECLaiM-EDU, 2026–2031)", offers an exciting opportunity to explore the future of digital education in Europe beyond the dominance of Big Tech and AI. Hosted by the Faculty of Humanities at Utrecht University, within the Department of Media and Culture Studies, the project investigates how European primary and secondary schools can reclaim control over public education in an era of rapid digitalization and technological dependency.

The RECLaiM-EDU project empirically examines Digital Autonomy Innovators (DAIs) across Europe—initiatives that experiment with alternative educational technologies and infrastructures to safeguard public values. The research is structured around three domains: imaginaries (PhD), design (Postdoc), and infrastructures (PI, Dr. Niels Kerssens). As the PhD researcher, you will lead the 'imaginaries' pillar, focusing on how world-building, future-making, and speculative practices shape alternative visions for digital education and foster more democratic technological futures in European schools.

Your work will involve in-depth empirical research on pioneering initiatives, developing analytical and conceptual approaches to digital autonomy, and contributing to the co-creation of the Digital Autonomy Framework for European Public Education (DAF-EU). You will collaborate closely with the PI and postdoc, engage with academic and societal partners, and participate in public communication and knowledge dissemination activities. The position is embedded in a vibrant academic environment, including the Institute for Cultural Inquiry (ICON) and the interdisciplinary focus area Governing the Digital Society (GDS).

Funding and Benefits: The position offers a temporary full-time contract (initially 18 months, extendable to 4 years), with a gross monthly salary between €3,059 and €3,881 (full-time, scale P, CAO NU), 8% holiday pay, 8.3% year-end bonus, pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, flexible employment terms, and professional development opportunities.

Eligibility: Applicants must hold a (Research) Master’s degree in Media Studies, Communication and Information Studies, Education and Technology, Science and Technology Studies (STS), or a closely related field. Required skills include experience with qualitative research methods, demonstrated excellence in independent academic research, strong interest in EdTech and digital governance, excellent academic writing and presentation skills, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. Proficiency in English is essential; interdisciplinary experience and Dutch reading proficiency are assets.

Application: The deadline is 3 April 2026. Submit your CV, motivation letter, academic transcripts, names and contact details of two referees (one must be your MA thesis supervisor), and a writing sample (max 6,000 words) as a single PDF via the Utrecht University job portal. Interviews will be held in early/mid-May, with an expected start date of 1 October 2026 or soon after.

For more information, contact Dr. Niels Kerssens. Join a diverse and inclusive academic community at Utrecht University, committed to excellence in research and teaching, and contribute to shaping the future of digital education in Europe.