DWELLWELL: Towards a political economy of housing and health
We are looking for a PhD-candidate to be part of the project DWELLWELL: Towards a political economy of housing and health, led by dr. Cody Hochstenbach. This project is funded through a Vidi-grant from NWO, the Dutch Research Council. The DWELLWELL project will involve two PhD-candidates working with different methods on different research questions.
While housing is recognized as an important social determinant of health, this relationship is predominantly analysed at the level of the housing unit or neighbourhood. Hardly any attention is paid to the structuring role of housing policies and housing systems. DWELLWELL therefore develops a political-economic understanding of housing’s impact on health. Simply put, it addresses how housing policies and housing systems can make people sick and generate health inequalities. It develops the political economy of housing and health combining insights from literatures in (1) housing and health, (2) political economy of health, and (3) critical housing studies. Methodologically, the project combines large-scale cross-national comparisons, advanced quantitative longitudinal analyses, and in-depth ethnographic fieldwork.
This PhD-project will specifically focus on in-depth ethnographic analyses of how key housing actors take health into consideration in their practices, if at all. The fieldwork will take place in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Specifically, the project seeks to understand how health considerations influence decision-making, policy formation and, ultimately, the functioning of housing systems. The project moves beyond the typical focus on residents’ housing experiences, to focus on key stakeholders. These include policymakers, real-estate developers, housing-association employees, and resident groups. It focuses on these actors’ interests, class positions, and housing ideologies.
What are you going to do
- you perform in-depth ethnographic fieldwork in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, researching policies, policymakers and other key housing actors.
- you will complete a PhD dissertation based on four scientific articles, to be submitted to leading academic journals. Some of these articles will be in collaboration with other team members (including the PI and co-promotor);
- you will actively contribute to the (national and international) activities of the DWELLWELLproject, such as scientific conferences and networks as well as expert meetings with policy makers and stakeholders;
- you will assist with administrative responsibilities related to the project, such as the organization of workshops or other project events;
- you will be embedded in, and contribute to, the Urban Geography (UG) programme group of the Geography, Planning and International Development department.
- you will contribute to the teaching program of the department (approx. 10% of your time);
- you will take active part in seminars of the program group and the department;
- your primary residence will be within commuting distance of the University of Amsterdam for the duration of the PhD project.
What do you have to offer
The larger DWELLWELL project combines a range of theoretical perspectives (housing studies, political economy, healthy geography, social epidemiology) and methods (from advanced quantitative modelling to in-depth ethnographic fieldwork). We are looking for an enthusiastic PhD-candidate with a strong academic training who develops their own vision on how to contribute to the project. Specifically, we are looking for a candidate that has:
- strong methodological training in qualitative methods and, preferably, experience with ethnographic fieldwork;
- an affinity with health geography, critical housing studies and/or political economy approaches;
- a Master’s degree in human geography, health geography, sociology, political science, anthropology or a related discipline;
- an appreciation (and ideally understanding) of other research methods, notably advanced quantitative modelling;
- (near) fluency in both Dutch and English (given the fieldwork in both countries);
- independent thinking and critical analytical skills;
- demonstrable organisational skills, flexibility, communication skills, and a collaborative and proactive attitude.
What else do we offer you
The position concerns a temporary employment of 38 hours per week for a maximum term of four years. The initial employment is for one year. Following a positive assessment and barring altered circumstances, this term will be extended by a maximum of three years, which should result in the conferral of a doctorate. We will put together a curriculum which will also include the opportunity to attend training courses and both national and international events. You will also be tasked with teaching Bachelor's students.
For this position the University Job Classification profile promovendus applies.
Your salary will be €3.059 gross per month in the first year and will increase to €3.881 in the final year, based on full-time employment and in keeping with the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities. We additionally offer an extensive package of secondary benefits, including 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.
The UvA offers excellent possibilities for further professional development and education.
You will work here
You will primarily work in the small DWELLWELL project led by principle investigator dr. Cody Hochstenbach. This project will also involve another (quantitative) PhD-candidate and a co-promotor. You will be embedded in the Urban Geographies (UG) programme group in the Geography, Planning and International Development department, which studies how resources, risks and political voice are distributed unevenly across urban spaces and populations, analyzing geographies of inequality. You will receive PhD-training through the Amsterdam Institute of Social Science Research (AISSR).
Do you want to pursue a PhD studying the role of health in housing policy? Are you interested in working in an interdisciplinary and mixed-method team? We currently offer a PhD-project on the political economy of housing and health within the broader DWELLWELL project.
DWELLWELL: Towards a political economy of housing and health
We are looking for a PhD-candidate to be part of the project DWELLWELL: Towards a political economy of housing and health, led by dr. Cody Hochstenbach. This project is funded through a Vidi-grant from NWO, the Dutch Research Council. The DWELLWELL project will involve two PhD-candidates working with different methods on different research questions.
While housing is recognized as an important social determinant of health, this relationship is predominantly analysed at the level of the housing unit or neighbourhood. Hardly any attention is paid to the structuring role of housing policies and housing systems. DWELLWELL therefore develops a political-economic understanding of housing’s impact on health. Simply put, it addresses how housing policies and housing systems can make people sick and generate health inequalities. It develops the political economy of housing and health combining insights from literatures in (1) housing and health, (2) political economy of health, and (3) critical housing studies. Methodologically, the project combines large-scale cross-national comparisons, advanced quantitative longitudinal analyses, and in-depth ethnographic fieldwork.
This PhD-project will specifically focus on in-depth ethnographic analyses of how key housing actors take health into consideration in their practices, if at all. The fieldwork will take place in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Specifically, the project seeks to understand how health considerations influence decision-making, policy formation and, ultimately, the functioning of housing systems. The project moves beyond the typical focus on residents’ housing experiences, to focus on key stakeholders. These include policymakers, real-estate developers, housing-association employees, and resident groups. It focuses on these actors’ interests, class positions, and housing ideologies.
What are you going to do
- you perform in-depth ethnographic fieldwork in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, researching policies, policymakers and other key housing actors.
- you will complete a PhD dissertation based on four scientific articles, to be submitted to leading academic journals. Some of these articles will be in collaboration with other team members (including the PI and co-promotor);
- you will actively contribute to the (national and international) activities of the DWELLWELLproject, such as scientific conferences and networks as well as expert meetings with policy makers and stakeholders;
- you will assist with administrative responsibilities related to the project, such as the organization of workshops or other project events;
- you will be embedded in, and contribute to, the Urban Geography (UG) programme group of the Geography, Planning and International Development department.
- you will contribute to the teaching program of the department (approx. 10% of your time);
- you will take active part in seminars of the program group and the department;
- your primary residence will be within commuting distance of the University of Amsterdam for the duration of the PhD project.
What do you have to offer
The larger DWELLWELL project combines a range of theoretical perspectives (housing studies, political economy, healthy geography, social epidemiology) and methods (from advanced quantitative modelling to in-depth ethnographic fieldwork). We are looking for an enthusiastic PhD-candidate with a strong academic training who develops their own vision on how to contribute to the project. Specifically, we are looking for a candidate that has:
- strong methodological training in qualitative methods and, preferably, experience with ethnographic fieldwork;
- an affinity with health geography, critical housing studies and/or political economy approaches;
- a Master’s degree in human geography, health geography, sociology, political science, anthropology or a related discipline;
- an appreciation (and ideally understanding) of other research methods, notably advanced quantitative modelling;
- (near) fluency in both Dutch and English (given the fieldwork in both countries);
- independent thinking and critical analytical skills;
- demonstrable organisational skills, flexibility, communication skills, and a collaborative and proactive attitude.
What else do we offer you
The position concerns a temporary employment of 38 hours per week for a maximum term of four years. The initial employment is for one year. Following a positive assessment and barring altered circumstances, this term will be extended by a maximum of three years, which should result in the conferral of a doctorate. We will put together a curriculum which will also include the opportunity to attend training courses and both national and international events. You will also be tasked with teaching Bachelor's students.
For this position the University Job Classification profile promovendus applies.
Your salary will be €3.059 gross per month in the first year and will increase to €3.881 in the final year, based on full-time employment and in keeping with the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities. We additionally offer an extensive package of secondary benefits, including 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.
The UvA offers excellent possibilities for further professional development and education.
You will work here
You will primarily work in the small DWELLWELL project led by principle investigator dr. Cody Hochstenbach. This project will also involve another (quantitative) PhD-candidate and a co-promotor. You will be embedded in the Urban Geographies (UG) programme group in the Geography, Planning and International Development department, which studies how resources, risks and political voice are distributed unevenly across urban spaces and populations, analyzing geographies of inequality. You will receive PhD-training through the Amsterdam Institute of Social Science Research (AISSR).
If you recognize yourself in this profile and are interested in the role, we look forward to receiving your application. We request
- An application letter (max 2 pages) describing your motivation and qualifications;
- Your CV including contact information for two academic references (letters of recommendation are not necessary);
- One writing sample no longer than 25 pages. If you want to include a longer text (such as a master’s thesis), please provide an excerpt;
your motivation letter and CV. You can apply via the red button until May 17. Interviews will take place early to mid June. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be given preference over external candidates.
For questions about the vacancy, you can contact:
Cody Hochstenbach (c.hochstenbach@uva.nl)
