As part of the Horizon 2023 project CONCILIARE (CONfidetly ChangIng coLonIAl heritage) that has been awarded funding under Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action (RIA), we are looking for a postdoctoral researcher for 34 months, starting 1 May 2024. You will be part of a large international consortium of research (i.e., seven European universities) and societal partners (e.g., museums of colonial history).

You will work at the European Research Centre on Migration and Ethnic Relations (ERCOMER) at the department of Interdisciplinary Social Science at Utrecht University. ERCOMER has a strong track record in interethnic relations with a particular focus on international migration, group identities and cultural diversity, and intergroup relations.

CONCILIARE will investigate changes in colonial cultural heritage (CCH) in Europe across four domains: textbooks, public spaces, museums, and products and traditions. The aim is to develop evidence-based methods that promote confidence and intergroup dialogue related to these changes.

As a postdoc, you will be part of the work package led by Utrecht University on cultural products and traditions associated with the colonial history. This sub-project aims at gaining a deeper understanding of how and when changes in cultural consumption of products (e.g., foods) and traditions related to CCH (e.g., blackface make-up performances, such as the tradition of Black Pete in the Netherlands) can foster positive societal change (i.e., less tolerance of controversial practices and better intergroup relations) as well as help increase confidence in the changing societies of the present and future in European youngsters (adolescents and young adults).

We are looking for a colleague with the following skills, competences and experiences:
• a PhD in the field of (social) psychology, sociology, educational science, anthropology or related fields;
• experience with quantitative and qualitative research methods (you can be an expert in one method and have some experience with the other) - familiarity with experimental designs and focus groups is preferred;
• an interest in cultural heritage and intergroup relations;
• a track record appropriate to the stage of their career, and an obvious curiosity and enthusiasm for academic research;
• a professional attitude and conduct that includes organisational sensitivity, integrity, pragmatism, and good communication skills;
• independent thinking and hands-on mentality;
• excellent collaborative and organisational skills;
• high proficiency in English (C2 level), proficiency in Dutch is a plus;
• theoretical expertise in intergroup relations, group identities, perceived discrimination, and/or emotional reactions is desirable.

You will work together with Dr Borja Martinović and Dr Anouk Smeekes and you will be a member of the CONCILIARE consortium. 80% of a fulltime appointment is reserved for research time. Apart from that, you can choose to enlarge the contract by spending an additional 20% on teaching. We offer a position for 34 months, with a gross monthly salary between €3,226 and €5,929 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 10-11 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU).

For additional information, please contact Dr Borja Martinović at b.martinovic@uu.nl.

The application deadline is 20 February 2024. The first round of interviews will take place on 29 February 2024.

For further information and to apply online, please go to the UU website: https://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/working-at-utrecht-university/jobs/postdoctoral-position-on-changes-in-colonial-cultural-heritage-in-europe