PhD Position in History (University of Amsterdam)

Faculty: Humanities Level: Master’s Hours: 38 hours per week Vacancy number: 14497 Salary: €3,059 – €3,881 Application deadline: 15 December 2025 Position Overview Are you interested in radio studies and the shared history of Indonesia and the Netherlands? Then we are looking for you. The Amsterdam School of Historical Studies is inviting applications for a position of PhD candidate in the NWO-funded project ‘Distant Voices: Uncovering the Agency of Indonesian Broadcasters at Radio Netherlands Wereldomroep (1945–1965)’. Working at the UvA – Pioneering Radio Studies The project ‘Distant Voices’ pioneers a new methodology in radio studies by analyzing the agency of broadcasters from the Global South in media organizations in the Global North. The PhD candidate will write a thesis on a relevant case study: the history of the Indonesian programme of the Dutch international broadcaster Radio Netherlands Wereldomroep (1945–1965). The project’s preliminary outcomes will be discussed within an international network of media historians based in Asia and Europe. In addition, the PhD candidate will contribute to joint activities of the University of Amsterdam and the project’s main institutional partner, the Netherlands Institute for Sound & Vision. The PhD candidate will be supervised by Elizabeth Buettner and Vincent Kuitenbrouwer (History Department). The daily supervision is in the hands of Vincent Kuitenbrouwer, who is the Project Leader of ‘Distant Voices’. Key Responsibilities The PhD position aims to answer the project’s main research question: What was the role of Indonesians in shaping Radio Netherlands Wereldomroep broadcasts in Bahasa Indonesia between 1945 and 1965? The research for the thesis (written in English) will be based on a preselected set of digitized documents in Bahasa Indonesia and Dutch: the logbooks of the Indonesian programme of RNW containing transcripts and schedules. In addition, the PhD candidate will have access to relevant collections of the Netherlands Institute for Sound & Vision. The PhD candidate is expected to: Submit a PhD thesis within the period of appointment. Present intermediate research results at workshops and conferences. Participate in the Research School and Faculty of Humanities PhD training programmes. Co-organise knowledge dissemination activities. Participate in meetings of the project research group in the Netherlands and Indonesia. (Co-)teach courses at BA level in the second and third year of the appointment (maximum 0.2 FTE per year). Requirements A completed Master’s degree in History, Media Studies or a related discipline. Excellent research skills demonstrated by a Master’s thesis. Ability to independently formulate research questions, combined with a clear and convincing style of writing. Good command of Bahasa Indonesia, Dutch and English. A strong cooperative attitude and willingness to engage in collaborative research. Please note: if you already hold a doctorate/PhD or are working towards obtaining a similar degree elsewhere, you will not be admitted to a doctoral programme at the UvA. What We Offer A temporary employment contract for the period of 48 months. The first contract will be for 16 months, with an extension for the following 32 months, contingent on a positive performance evaluation within the first 12 months. Preferred starting date: 1 May 2026. PhD candidates receive a tuition fee waiver. Free access to courses offered by the Graduate School of Humanities and the Dutch National Research Schools. Excellent opportunities for professional development and education. An inspiring academic and international work environment in the heart of Amsterdam. An enthusiastic and professional academic team. About the University of Amsterdam (UvA) The Amsterdam School of Historical Studies (ASH) represents and fosters the study of the human past from Antiquity to the present day. It brings together more than 200 academics from Amsterdam’s Faculty of Humanities. ASH integrates a variety of (inter)disciplinary perspectives, including history, literature, and media studies. The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is ambitious, creative, and committed — an inspiration to students since 1632, a vanguard player in international science, and a partner in innovation. UvA is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest range of courses on offer: an intellectual hub with 42,000 students, 6,000 staff, and 3,000 PhD students, connected by a culture of curiosity. Application and Contact Contact person: Vincent Kuitenbrouwer Senior Lecturer, History Department / Project Leader ‘Distant Voices’ Email: [email protected] If you recognize yourself in the profile and are interested in the position, we look forward to receiving your application. Required documents (as a single PDF file): Motivation letter Curriculum Vitae (CV) Short research statement on the PhD project, including a reflection on academic relevance and a provisional four-year work plan (maximum 2 pages) MA certificate and gradelist Contact information of two people who could act as references Application deadline: 15 December 2025 Interviews: last week of January 2026 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion As an employer, the UvA maintains an equal opportunities policy. We value diversity and are fully committed to being a place where everyone feels at home. We nurture inquisitive minds and perseverance and allow room for persistent questioning. With us, curiosity and creativity are the prevailing culture. Studies show that women and members of underrepresented groups only apply for jobs if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Do you meet the educational requirements but not yet all of the requested experience? The UvA encourages you to apply anyway. If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Socioloxy

Faculty: Humanities
Level: Master’s
Hours: 38 hours per week
Vacancy number: 14497
Salary: €3,059 – €3,881
Application deadline: 15 December 2025

Position Overview

Are you interested in radio studies and the shared history of Indonesia and the Netherlands? Then we are looking for you. The Amsterdam School of Historical Studies is inviting applications for a position of PhD candidate in the NWO-funded project ‘Distant Voices: Uncovering the Agency of Indonesian Broadcasters at Radio Netherlands Wereldomroep (1945–1965)’.

Working at the UvA – Pioneering Radio Studies

The project ‘Distant Voices’ pioneers a new methodology in radio studies by analyzing the agency of broadcasters from the Global South in media organizations in the Global North. The PhD candidate will write a thesis on a relevant case study: the history of the Indonesian programme of the Dutch international broadcaster Radio Netherlands Wereldomroep (1945–1965).

The project’s preliminary outcomes will be discussed within an international network of media historians based in Asia and Europe. In addition, the PhD candidate will contribute to joint activities of the University of Amsterdam and the project’s main institutional partner, the Netherlands Institute for Sound & Vision.

The PhD candidate will be supervised by Elizabeth Buettner and Vincent Kuitenbrouwer (History Department). The daily supervision is in the hands of Vincent Kuitenbrouwer, who is the Project Leader of ‘Distant Voices’.

Key Responsibilities

The PhD position aims to answer the project’s main research question: What was the role of Indonesians in shaping Radio Netherlands Wereldomroep broadcasts in Bahasa Indonesia between 1945 and 1965?

The research for the thesis (written in English) will be based on a preselected set of digitized documents in Bahasa Indonesia and Dutch: the logbooks of the Indonesian programme of RNW containing transcripts and schedules. In addition, the PhD candidate will have access to relevant collections of the Netherlands Institute for Sound & Vision.

The PhD candidate is expected to:

Submit a PhD thesis within the period of appointment.
Present intermediate research results at workshops and conferences.
Participate in the Research School and Faculty of Humanities PhD training programmes.
Co-organise knowledge dissemination activities.
Participate in meetings of the project research group in the Netherlands and Indonesia.
(Co-)teach courses at BA level in the second and third year of the appointment (maximum 0.2 FTE per year).

Requirements

A completed Master’s degree in History, Media Studies or a related discipline.
Excellent research skills demonstrated by a Master’s thesis.
Ability to independently formulate research questions, combined with a clear and convincing style of writing.
Good command of Bahasa Indonesia, Dutch and English.
A strong cooperative attitude and willingness to engage in collaborative research.

Please note: if you already hold a doctorate/PhD or are working towards obtaining a similar degree elsewhere, you will not be admitted to a doctoral programme at the UvA.

What We Offer

A temporary employment contract for the period of 48 months. The first contract will be for 16 months, with an extension for the following 32 months, contingent on a positive performance evaluation within the first 12 months.
Preferred starting date: 1 May 2026.
PhD candidates receive a tuition fee waiver.
Free access to courses offered by the Graduate School of Humanities and the Dutch National Research Schools.
Excellent opportunities for professional development and education.
An inspiring academic and international work environment in the heart of Amsterdam.
An enthusiastic and professional academic team.

About the University of Amsterdam (UvA)

The Amsterdam School of Historical Studies (ASH) represents and fosters the study of the human past from Antiquity to the present day. It brings together more than 200 academics from Amsterdam’s Faculty of Humanities. ASH integrates a variety of (inter)disciplinary perspectives, including history, literature, and media studies.

The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is ambitious, creative, and committed — an inspiration to students since 1632, a vanguard player in international science, and a partner in innovation.

UvA is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest range of courses on offer: an intellectual hub with 42,000 students, 6,000 staff, and 3,000 PhD students, connected by a culture of curiosity.

Application and Contact

Contact person:
Vincent Kuitenbrouwer
Senior Lecturer, History Department / Project Leader ‘Distant Voices’
Email: [email protected]

If you recognize yourself in the profile and are interested in the position, we look forward to receiving your application.

Required documents (as a single PDF file):

Motivation letter
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Short research statement on the PhD project, including a reflection on academic relevance and a provisional four-year work plan (maximum 2 pages)
MA certificate and gradelist
Contact information of two people who could act as references

Application deadline: 15 December 2025
Interviews: last week of January 2026

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

As an employer, the UvA maintains an equal opportunities policy. We value diversity and are fully committed to being a place where everyone feels at home. We nurture inquisitive minds and perseverance and allow room for persistent questioning. With us, curiosity and creativity are the prevailing culture.

Studies show that women and members of underrepresented groups only apply for jobs if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Do you meet the educational requirements but not yet all of the requested experience? The UvA encourages you to apply anyway.

If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Socioloxy

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