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PhD Students on Transnational Labor Mobility in Southeast Asia Program Description Are you interested in joining an interdisciplinary team working on transnational mobility and well-being in Asia? Passionate about ethnographic research? Self-motivated and ready to learn new research skills? Job DescriptionThe Department of Social Studies is looking for a PhD candidate to conduct in-depth ethnographic research on transnational labor mobility in the healthcare and hospitality sectors in Singapore. You will be involved in the new European Research Council-funded project “WELL-ASIA: The Pursuit of Health in Southeast Asia”: new encounters and inequalities in an emerging industry”.WELL-ASIA investigates Southeast Asia’s expanding and lucrative healthcare industry and the transnational mobility and inequalities associated with it. The region has long been a meeting point for multiple healing traditions and practices. As people around the world seek experiences to improve their physical and mental health through yoga, meditation, hydrotherapy, and sound healing, these therapies have become increasingly commercialized in the context of a post-global pandemic.WELL-ASIA focuses on the unbalanced interactions between those who work in the industry, those who seek and consume wellness experiences, and the affected local communities from a multidimensional perspective. This doctoral dissertation will focus on migrant workers (e.g. massage therapists, spa workers, hotel and resort trainers and staff) employed in Singapore’s expanding wellness and health tourism industry. Within this framework, you can design your PhD project according to your interests. You will join a team that will conduct fieldwork in Singapore, Ubud (Indonesia) and Chiang Mai (Thailand) on transnational encounters and inequalities in the healthcare industry. The team consists of the Principal Investigator, Dr. Megha Amrith, two postdoctoral fellows, a project manager and research assistants. The team will work together to address the larger conceptual questions of the project through reading groups, workshops, and collaborative writing projects. Tasks will include developing a research and fieldwork plan, taking into account the College’s ethical and data management procedures. Nine months of ethnographic fieldwork (including interviews and participant observation) in Singapore. Archival research on convalescent labor and analysis of visual materials representing the health industry. Writing a PhD thesis and (co-)authorship of 1-2 publications (e.g. journal papers). Attend group meetings and participate in organizing events and workshops. Collaborate with filmmakers on documentaries (with the project team) and work with visual and digital methods. Present work-in-progress in front of international seminars, conference panels and colleagues within the Academy. In this role you will learn to synthesize ethnographic, visual and archival research while developing your writing and teamwork skills. Further training will be provided by the University’s Graduate School.
offer requirements
Position RequirementsWe are looking for a PhD student who is excited and motivated by ethnographic fieldwork and teamwork in Asia. The position requires residence in Maastricht or the surrounding area (except during fieldwork). Specifically, we are looking for candidates with the following qualifications A Master’s degree in anthropology, geography, sociology, or a relevant interdisciplinary field (e.g. migration studies). Experience and enthusiasm in qualitative research methods, especially ethnographic fieldwork. Strong analytical and writing skills. Advanced English language skills (spoken and written in an academic context). Excellent organizational skills and motivation to meet project milestones/deadlines. Passionate about contributing to a collaborative team environment and shared goals. Experience and/or interest in learning and working with visual, creative and multi-modal approaches. (Knowledge of a relevant Asian language (e.g. Chinese, Indonesian, Thai, Tagalog or other regional language) is desirable. In the absence of regional language expertise, the PhD will work with a research assistant in the field.
offer benefits/salary
What we offer you As a PhD student in Transnational Labour Mobility in Southeast Asia at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, you will be employed at the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you excellent employment conditions. The position is graded according to the UFO PhD profile and offers a monthly salary of €2901.00 in the first year and €3707.00 in the fourth year (based on a full-time working week of 38 hours). In addition to the monthly salary, there is a vacation allowance of 8.0% and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. The duration of the employment contract is 12 months and the scope of work is 1.0 full-time. The contract may be renewed for a further three years subject to favourable evaluation. At Maastricht University, employee well-being is paramount and we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. For this, you will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and four additional public holidays per year, namely Carnival Monday, Carnival Tuesday, Good Friday and Emancipation Day. If you choose to accrue compensatory time, an additional 12 days will be added. In addition, you can personalize your employment conditions by selecting a model through a collective labor contract (CAO). As Maastricht University, we also offer a variety of other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme provided by ABP, as well as the opportunity for Maastricht University employees to participate in company fitness activities and to use the extensive sports facilities we offer our students. Last but not least, we offer space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We promote personal and professional development by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting a variety of proven initiatives such as Recognition and Appreciation. The terms of employment at Maastricht University are primarily governed by the Dutch Universities Collective Labor Agreement. In addition, specific local regulations apply at Maastricht University. For more information, please click here. Maastricht UniversityWhy work at Maastricht University? At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. We strive to provide our students with a solid and broad foundation for their future. The future of society, where we seek solutions to problems around the world through research. Our six faculties offer students a comprehensive program of study and research. In teaching and learning, we use a problem-based learning (PBL) approach. Students work in groups to find solutions to problems on their own. By discussing the problem, collaborating to reach a conclusion, formulating an answer, and presenting it to their peers, students develop the essential skills they will need for their future careers.With more than 22,300 students and 5,000 employees from around the world, UM is a vibrant and inspiring international community. Are you attracted to an international environment focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute your skills and qualities? Our doors are open to you! As a young European university, we value your talents and look forward to working with you in the future. Click here to find out more about UM. The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASoS) is a close-knit community of about 250 faculty members and 2,100 students. During breaks and before meetings, you can often find us at our favorite local coffee shop, Bandito Espresso. Communication channels within our faculty are short, and colleagues are always available to help each other.FASoS students are highly international, and a large percentage of our faculty and staff come from abroad. Our faculty offers four bachelor’s degree programs, eight master’s degree programs, and two research master’s degree programs, all of which are characterized by their interdisciplinary nature. Our graduate school studies modern and contemporary social and cultural developments. Using an interdisciplinary approach, we analyze the interconnections between Europeanization, globalization, technological progress, political change, and cultural innovation. In addition to teaching and research, our colleagues enjoy expressing themselves creatively. They create podcasts, poetry and fiction. Working at FASoS means working in a challenging but eclectic environment. We believe you can forge your own career path and are ready to help you make the most of your work. For more information about FASoS, please visit our website FASoS. faculty PhD students will study in the Department of Social Studies at FASoS. The department brings together scholars with knowledge and expertise in the interdisciplinary fields of science, technology, and social studies (STS) and globalization, transnationalism, and development studies. The Ph.D. is also a member of the Globalization, Transnationalism and Development (GTD) research group.Researchers in the GTD research program work on topics such as the transnational production and circulation of knowledge, transnational migration and mobility. In both research spaces, researchers have a wealth of expertise in ethnographic methodologies and the opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary exchanges in a lively and supportive environment. Curious? Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Please feel free to contact Megha Amrith at [email protected] for more information. If you have any questions about the program, please contact Manon Souren-Huppertz (Recruiter) at [email protected]. Applying? Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new PhD candidate in Transnational Labor Mobility in Southeast Asia? Apply now, no later than April 16, 2025! Please upload/provide your CV (max. 2 pages) and a motivation letter (max. 2 pages) clearly answering the following questions: What motivates you to pursue a PhD? How does this doctoral position fit with your previous experience and your ambitions? How will you tailor the PhD topic (migrant labor in the healthcare sector in Singapore) to your specific interests, networks and skills? Writing samples (e.g., chapters from your master’s thesis) Contact information for 2 references (e.g., master’s advisor) The first interview should ideally take place around mid- to late-May 2025. The second interview (if necessary) should ideally take place two to three weeks later. Short-listed candidates will be asked to submit a research proposal (1000 words) outlining an initial idea for a PhD project prior to the interview. Reference checks are part of the application process. Maastricht University is committed to promoting and fostering a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that the diversity of faculty, staff and students contributes to the quality of research and education at Maastricht University and strive to achieve this goal through inclusive policies and innovative programs led by teams of faculty, staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.