2 PHD STUDENTS (ANTHROPOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY)

The Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies is recruiting

2 PHD STUDENTS (ANTHROPOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY)

for the Swiss National Science Foundation funded project ‘Quiet Aid’

PERIOD OF CONTRACT : 1 SEPTEMBER 2022, FOR 4 YEARS

ACTIVITY RATE : 100%, GROSS SALARY CHF 48’000 – 50’000 (DEPENDING ON ADVANCEMENT IN THE PHD PROGRAMME)

DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS : 15 JANUARY 2022

Swiss National Science Foundation (Eccellenza) project: “Quiet Aid: Service and Salvation in the Balkans-to-Bengal Complex”

The project explores the nexus between modern aid and longstanding Islamic concerns. It thereby examines the diversity of social practices, ambivalent moral genealogies and complex historical influences that have shaped Muslim approaches to aid. Focussing on global Islamic organizations connecting parts of Central Asia, South Asia and West Asia, the project seeks to theorize aid through service, salvation and mobility. To this end, Quiet Aid aims to decentre the analysis of aid and pushes the theoretical inquiry from specialized sub-fields to a broader anthropological view of doing good. The project combines ethnography, archival research, visual analysis and materiality to understand Islamic practices of aid in their full social and historical complexity. Within this framework, PhD candidate 1 is expected to develop and conduct a dissertation project on education, female preachers and charitable networks in southern Kyrgyzstan. PhD candidate 2 will focus on aid and Turkish merchants in Kazakhstan.

The project is based at the Graduate Institute’s Department of Anthropology and Sociology (ANSO)

General description of the positions

The appointed PhD students will work closely with the project’ s Principal Investigator Till Mostowlansky, Eccellenza Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology and Sociology, as well as with the project’s postdoctoral researcher. They will complete a dissertation and be fully integrated into the Department of Anthropology and Sociology, a vibrant department at the Graduate Institute whose members are pursuing innovative ethnographic research on international organizations and transnational processes.

Specifically, the doctoral students are expected to take charge of the following tasks:

• Conduct research, including: fine-tuning the existing project design and data collection through ethnography and archival research
• Preparation of and participation in joint publications
• Preparation of academic events in collaboration with the PI
• Presentation of the project at conferences
• Carry out administrative and coordination duties associated with the project, including interim reporting to funders

Profile of PhD candidate 1:

• MA in anthropology (or a closely related discipline) with excellent results
• highly organized and capable of working autonomously to complete a PhD thesis
• first-hand knowledge of Central Asia (acquired through research and/or non- academic work)
• knowledge of Uzbek/Tajik/Kyrgyz (and/or)
• familiarity with anthropological methodology
• enthusiasm to engage in theoretical and comparative debates
• excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work in an international team
• excellent written and oral communication skills in English

Profile of PhD candidate 2:

• MA in anthropology (or a closely related discipline) with excellent results
• highly organized and capable of working autonomously to complete a PhD thesis
• first-hand knowledge of Turkey and/or Central Asia (acquired through research or non- academic work)
• knowledge of Turkish and/or Kazakh
• familiarity with anthropological methodology
• enthusiasm to engage in theoretical and comparative debates
• excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work in an international team
• excellent written and oral communication skills in English

We look forward to receiving your online application through the Graduate Institute’s application portal (PhD program in Anthropology and Sociology) by 15^th January 2022, 23.59 CET: https://www.graduateinstitute.ch/application

Applications should include:

1. Motivation letter, including a subject line noting that you are applying for a PhD position within the project Quiet Aid and making explicit which of the two positions you are applying for.
2. CV
3. A short proposal (max. 1,500 words, plus max. 2 pages bibliography) describing how you intend to carry out the dissertation project, together with a brief outline of the theoretical debate(s) that inform your project, the research problem and methodology.
4. Two references
5. Copy of your Master’s thesis
6. Official academic transcripts showing all completed and ongoing course work, accompanied by grade scales and their value (credits)
7. Copy of all university diplomas and qualifications obtained
8. English proficiency certificate, if applicable
9. Copy of your passport (personal details page)

Please provide a certified English translation for all documents in a language other than English, French, German, Italian or Spanish.

Applicants who have not completed their Master’s degree by the time of application should include a statement from their supervisor confirming the expected date for the achievement of their degree.

Please note: Applicants are advised to check updates on application requirements in the online portal.

Please address any inquiries, including questions you might have about research opportunities in the project framework and details regarding the application process, to: till.mostowlansky@graduateinstitute.ch

If you are interested in this opportunity, please apply to our PhD program: https://www.graduateinstitute.ch/application